Start
Insert: Audio montage – Braveheart (27s under audio)
Presenter: Over the last 25 years Scotland has produced memorable films that will live with people for generations, including Braveheart, Sunshine on Leith, Trainspotting and it’s sequel which premiered in Edinburgh this January, other films like Word War Z, The Dark Knight Rises and Prometheus have also been filmed in Scotland. Earlier this year Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster Avengers Infinity War took over the center of Edinburgh to film for over six weeks, productions took place on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, and in sections of Waverly Train Station. Marvel also had to rent a large warehouse on Edinburgh’s waterfront, this was due to Scotland’s lack of studio spaces. Over the last few years, there have been discussion and plans for the building of various major film studios in Scotland. We spoke to Philip John who is a director that has worked all over the UK including working on Downton Abbey and multi-million dollar series Outlander, he shared his thoughts on the lack of major studio spaces in Scotland and how this has led to Scotland losing out on major productions. (55s)
Insert: Philip John (13s)
“It’s inconceivable to me….
….so they went to Northern Ireland”
Presenter: With Scotland having a history of losing productions to other countries due to the facilities available, I asked Philip how he thought Scotland compares to other places that he had worked in, such as Wales. (9s)
Insert: Philip John (37s)
“I don’t think it’s as advance…
…any other major film studio”
Presenter: At the beginning of last month, Scottish Ministers overturned a recommendation from a government reporter to decline a proposed film studio on the outskirts of Edinburgh, this proposed £250 million pound studio is planned to have six sound stages along with two Hollywood-style backlots. I spoke to Green Party MSP Andy Wightman about his party’s thoughts on this proposed film studio. (21s)
Insert: Andy Wightman (30s)
“Yeah, we believe…
… is one with Scottish ministers”
Presenter: The project has been hugely controversial and has resulted in a large amount of protest from the local community. Mr. Wightman also expressed his concerns about the proposed location. (9s)
Insert: Andy Wightman (35s)
“Well, one of the issues…
…we think this is the wrong site”
Presenter: With the community split on the development of this studio, I asked both Mr Wightman and Philip John how they think this studio would impact the Scottish Film Industry. (8s)
Insert: Andy Wightman (17s)
“A film studio rather than the…
…positive impact on the Scottish Economy”
Insert: Philip John (22s)
“A film studio outside of…
… should’ve been put there 10 years ago”
Presenter: With the general consensus that Scotland will benefit from a major film studio, but potentially not in this location, I spoke to the president of Guardhouse studios, Surya Iacono, who is currently working on gaining planning permission to build a major film studio at Heriot-Watt University, I asked her why she believes Scotland is a good location for her planned film studio. (18s)
Insert: Surya Iacono (73s)
“So Scotland is an interesting story…
…it was an easy sell”
Presenter: Surya went on to talk about studio spaces around the world and why she believes Scotland needs a major studio (5s)
Insert: Surya Iacono (50s)
“Toronto has a 4-year wait list…
…to do all the post production”
Presenter: I asked Surya about her thoughts on the other studio project that has been giving approval by the Scottish Ministers and if Scotland would benefit from both studios being built. (7s)
Insert: Surya Iacono (25s)
“I personally think Scotland would benefit…
…looking at something no one else has done here”
Presenter: With film industry craving more major studios spaces and the proposed developments looking like they are closer and closer to taking place, film studios may very well be popping up all over the country in the close future, this makes the future look bright for the Scottish Film Industry. (13s)
Package Length: 7min 52s
Matthew Sanders 