A PUBLICLY funded body set up to develop the creative industries in the Highlands and Islands is helping launch the careers of aspiring writers, television producers and filmmakers by landing commissions with the BBC and forging partnerships with independent productions.
ScreenHI came into being in 2010 as an offshoot of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with a remit to develop the screen and broadcast industry across the region.
Spearheaded by experienced production executive Amanda Millen, its inception was timed to coincide with the launch of Gaelic channel BBC Alba, and tap into opportunities that may arise from its development.
Inverness-born Ms Millen, a Gaelic speaker whose TV credits include major BBC dramas Monarch of the Glen, Waterloo Road and River City, established ScreenHI on a 15-month secondment from the BBC.
The producer said she was handed "carte blanche" to create an organisation that could take ideas all the way through the production process, from the development of ideas to their ultimate execution.
A key part of its remit is to nurture talent and provide opportunities for people to work in the creative industries who might not otherwise get the chance.
Ms Millen said: "What you have got in the Highlands and Islands are people who have actively made a choice to live there so they that they can do things like become a writer. I believe very firmly that in the Highlands and Islands we have a voice that is not heard enough in mainstream telly and radio content.
"It is important that voice is heard because it is a different cultural resonance for Scotland."
She added: "We are trying to develop talent from the core of writing, coming up with ideas, developing ideas and understanding how to access the screen and broadcast industry: film, tele-vision, radio, online content, computer games, anything with a narrative and creative story."
After creating ScreenHI under the auspices of HIE, Ms Millen briefly ran the company as a freelance producer, having accessed funding from bodies like MG Alba, the organisation whose lobbying helped BBC Alba off the ground.
Then, four years ago, its structure was changed again.
ScreenHi joined forces with the another HIE creative industries offshoot focused on the music industry, which has run the goNORTH music festival for the past 13 years.
The combined entity, known officially as Creative HI, successfully pitched for a government contract to develop trade networks in the Highlands and Islands.
The three-year deal is set to expire in June, and HIE has the option to either renew the contract or put it to tender again.
Given the body of work ScreenHI has under its belt, it would seem to have a strong case for its deal being renewed.
Its list of credits include The Victorians: How They Influenced Us, which was commissioned by BBC Learning, and a partnership with indie production company Young Films on Tumult, which was short-listed in the short film category this year's Baftas.
Tumult is just one example of ScreenHI gaining all-important credits for its trainees on important productions, with Tom Duncan ultimately being credited as second assistant director in this instance.
Ms Millen said: "Tom is working full-time with me, developing his skills and delivering lots of good content for us. That's a relative success story."
ScreenHI also has two up-and-coming writers Louise Wyllie and Jan Storie, working on the BBC children's adaptation of the popular childrens' book series Katie Morag, which is being filmed on Stornoway. Wyllie is the daughter of the late artist and sculptor George Wyllie.
Ms Millen said: "This is what it is all about. They will now have a credit as a writer on a network programme for BBC children's.
"You can help them so far, then it is up to them to run with it. But these are two brilliant writers. These are the type of people whose voices have not been heard. They are getting the opportunity to do it and I am absolutely delighted."
Next up for the creative company is the goNORTH festival, which takes place in Inverness on on June 5 and 6.
Fondly known as a mini South by Southwest, the huge music, games and technology convention that takes place in Austin, Texas, every spring, the event is a launchpad for aspiring musicians, novelists, fashion designers and others looking to others looking to build a career in the creative industries.
Performances by live bands sit alongside seminars, readings, short film screenings and masterclasses in a packed programme held in venues across the Highland capital.
Among those expected to attend are Eigg Box, a business incubation centre based on the Isle of Eigg, whose staff are chartering a boat to get to the event.
Ms Millen said: "We showcase our bands, we prep them for the business world within music. It is not just about going up and playing a couple of songs, it is about being ready to take the opportunities that will come from being put in front of sync licensers, dealmakers, people that are looking for music for, you know, Grey's Anatomy or whatever it may be.
"We have got these two elements and they work very much hand in hand.
"They tick along in parallel in terms of what we are trying to do."
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