ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXCreative opportunities in Scotland??
9 years, 6 months ago - Terry Dray
I can't seem to find creative partners in Scotland. I have a feature film project ongoing but just need to find the talent to help get it on the move.
I have a script, equipment, locations, and plenty of enthusiasm.
Why oh why is there such a shortage of collaborators North of the border? I read SP all the time and see that things seem to happen collaboratively in the London areas but nothing seems to happen up here. Maybe I should move South!
One last time then. If there are any budding filmmakers up my way wanting to meet up and discuss working on projects drop me a line and we'll get together. I'm seriously wondering why I joined SP in the first place.
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9 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
You're right that there's a huge concentration in London, partly through the mechanics of population density and partly through it being the home of the British film industry (and used to be TV too!). That just makes it easier for people to meet and do stuff.
It makes the kind of thing they meet and do limited in other ways though - for instance, in Scotland you have access to a lot of locations that you simply cannot find (or afford) in London. In London, nothing is free. Pub back-room, expect to pay. Hotel foyer, expect to pay. Competition for freebies has exhausted them. This is a huge advantage you have!
If there isn't a 'shooters in the pub' near you, why not start one? And advertise for specific roles and dates, it makes it easier for people to know if they can join in your production or not. Making a film is s BIG deal, lots of dead ends and false starts, they're all part of it! The only way out every happens is sheer drive pushing it forward every inch of the way :$
9 years, 6 months ago - Terry Dray
Hi Paddy, thank you for taking the time to comment, and it is a fine suggestion... go to a pub meeting, or create one myself... however, as I tried to point out in the posting, there doesn't seem to be shooters up in Scotland to have a pub meeting or come to one if I organise one.
That was what I was trying to say in the posting. Also, interesting that I've had two responses to my posting, and they are both from members south of the border. It kind of makes my point really!
9 years, 6 months ago - Terry Dray
Hi again, just thought I'd say something on the subject of locations.. yes, there are some lovely locations up here in Scotland, but it's no use having this lovely land that we can film in if there aren't collaborating filmmakers here to film in it... And that seems to be the case with Skootingpeople people.
9 years, 6 months ago - AndBut Films
Excellent suggestion from Paddy: find a pub near you with good transport links and schedule your own Shooters in the Pub meetup group, or attend the one nearest to you.
http://shootingpeople.org/hosts/
https://shootingpeople.org/events
There are many Shooters in Scotland. Search for them here:
https://shootingpeople.org/member/search.php
filmpartners@andbut.co.uk
9 years, 6 months ago - Terry Dray
Thank you for all this suggestion, but there is no point in organising a pub meet if there is no Shootingpeople members up this way to come along, this was my point in the first place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a go at Shootingpeople people, or Shootingpeople, I think it's a great resource - just not for those living north of London - I'm just saying that there doesn't seem to be a point in being part of the Shootingpeople if there aren't any other Shootingpeople up here in Scotland. Do you see what I mean?
Please prove me wrong in this all you lovely filmmakers in Scotland and North of England and contact me and let me know that it's a strong and vibrant community.
9 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
For what it's worth, I live in Bath - hardly London itself - and I do sympathise that the filmmaker population density is MUCH lower. In fact everything I do is in London (or occasionally York).
I guess the problem is cyclic, insofar as people will move to London for work if there isn't any paid work in Scotland/Bath and so the cycle continues.
There's recently been a huge movement to Manchester, though - much closer to you than before. Mostly TV, but the boundaries are far less pronounced than previous eras. In fact not dramatically further from the major Scottish cities than I am from London, especially considering population density.
There's not a lot I can say/do to help your predicament, other than saying the same thing over - maybe there isn't such a presence from Scotland because like you they thought there was no Scottish presence? I really do hope you manage to find some allies locally, I work with people from all over the country, but it usually involves travel. Maybe talk to your local film offices, colleges, etc., also?
9 years, 6 months ago - Terry Dray
Hi Paddy,
thank you again for your response. I have been working within this industry for the last 25 years on and off in a variety of roles (including a 2 year stint in the "lovely" city of London) so I do know the things that we must do to get ourselves heard. Oh, and believe me, there's not a lot up this way that you can expect to get from free nowadays.
I do appreciate the time you took to answer though, it's always encouraging to talk with others and find out how others cope with the industry. Although Bath is still well within travelling distance from the home of the uk film industry, as you put it.
As I said before, getting films made on low budgets is still happening here, we just need to be creative.. I was really hoping that there were more people on here that came from Scotland. I don't know if being a part of Shootingpeople is advantageous for me now, as I could be doing something else with the membership fee.
Anyway, good luck with your adventures in the screen trade Paddy.. I know I'm going to have fun this year..
Take care mate, if you're every up this way drop me a text, a fellow filmmaker is always welcome....
Terry
9 years, 6 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
I wish you well Terry, I hope people come out of hiding for you! There are film courses in sure at some Scottish universities, your local film commission is active, and there certainly used to be some respectable incentives to draw people up there for productions. Maybe they're there, just not on SP? I'd say stick with it here, it's about more than just crewing, I've had some really insightful and productive conversations with filmmakers across Europe and in LA. I've learned plenty from others here and another experienced voice will only improve that mix. Indeed, I wish more members would get more involved in discussions! They seem to be active enough on the Production/Get People part of the site!
Actually I'm wondering if it's not worth a post there if you're hunting for a specific project?
Bath is 90' train from London, about half the travel time to Manchester from Glasgow, totally agree. But we pay a lot more per mile/minute to get there, so maybe there's some kind of balance overall!
9 years, 6 months ago - Sergio Py-Sanchez
Hi there,
This is Sergio here, Spanish living in Edinburgh, Terry you can count on me anytime you need crew, but it's true up here there's nothing for us at all, but we'll change it!!!
Cheers people.
9 years, 6 months ago - Marlom Tander
Do you need Scottish based people?
I can see that you would if you're shooting over ad hoc weekends, but if you can plan a 1 or 2 block shoot while being able to meet a lot is good, it's by no means essential.
Widely spread teams can work very well provided you project manage on that basis. (It also means that actual meets tend to be productive on account of the effort involved).
TBH I'd rather have the RIGHT person be 300 miles away than the wrong one on my street.
Good luck
9 years, 5 months ago - Chris Bogle
*puts hand up in the air*
Glasgow based Shooter here also keen for a Shooters in the Pub to start up. Let's do it!
Terry - have you been in touch with Scottish Screenwriters? Lovely bunch of scriptwriters and filmmakers who meet at the CCA monthly.
Also if you're on Facebook look up the SFTN (Scottish Film Talent Network) group and there are many film makers on there looking for a hook up.
There's definitely a Scottish presence, it's a little more covered up than London. And they're all working on Outlander ;)
9 years, 5 months ago - Paulina Brahm
I'm London-based, but:
A) I love Scotland. The best memories of my life were created there. I feel at home there--which, as a former New Yorker living in London, I find puzzling.
B) I find it intensely inspiring every time I go. I miss it constantly when I come 'home'.
C) I love the food. There is nothing like a well-fried slice of Lorne sausage. Or Stornaway black pudding. Or... (I could go on and on, typical actress....)
I would gladly travel to be part of your embryonic Shooters in the Pub Scotland. May I qualify simply because of my aforementioned criteria?
Kind regards,
Paulina
PS: did either of you see the upcoming Scottish shorts event on the Shooting People event tab?
9 years, 5 months ago - Paulina Brahm
Speaking of traveling and Scotland and film... I had already inked a commitment (the first time I have seen the 'pencil' system work for gigs) for that day, otherwise I would have gladly given up the money to go to this event. This is how strongly I love and believe in this. Besides, my first ever gig in the UK was with Hopscotch Films/BBC Scotland--shot one day after my birthday!
9 years, 5 months ago - Rick Antonsson
Feel free to get in touch. I'm based in the North West (Wigan) - not quite Scotland but willing to travel as I've got family/friends to stay with in Edinburgh/Glasgow/Falkirk.
9 years, 5 months ago - Ronnie Mackintosh
There was an Edinburgh SP monthly pub event, don't know if it's still on the go. Facebook group - Scottish Filmmakers and Actots, 11,000+ members - https://www.facebook.com/groups/scottishfilmmakersandactors/
9 years, 5 months ago - Stephen Potts
Hi Ronnie,
You're right, there was, at the Cameo - but only ever in theory. I went along three times. No-one else ever turned up! The Scottish Screenwriters group in Glasgow is much more active these days, but it's a two hour trip for me, so I haven't joined in.
9 years, 5 months ago - James Strange
Glasgow based, would also love a Glasgow shooters pub :)
9 years, 5 months ago - Andy Gunn
Glasgow Film Crew meet weekly. They're on Facebook and Meetup.com. Mix of pros and non-pros.
9 years, 5 months ago - Anietie Ekiko
I heard a lot about good locations in Scotland, Whats are the possibilities of a foreigner shooting a short music film there?
9 years, 4 months ago - Chris Bogle
Did anything come of this? How do I go about organising a Glasgow meetup through SP?