IT would be tempting simply to welcome the enthusiastic appraisal of the prospects for Scotland’s film industry from producer John Archer.
The former chief executive of Scottish Screen claims the advent of a new BBC Scotland channel and a possible increase in funding are among the good omens for this important sector of the creative industries. Film and TV have been shamefully underfunded in Scotland, he claims, but new developments herald the dawn of a “golden age”, no less.
However Mr Archer appears to be viewing this panorama through something of a rose-tinted filter. In extreme close-up, the imperfections of his subject are rendered rather less favourably. Yes, there will be jobs and investment as a result of the BBC Scotland development which could help drive an increase in the number of skilled people in the industry. There is an indication that Creative Scotland may make more funding available for film.
There are also plans for Scotland to get a film studio, long- awaited, to help build on existing successes in attracting blockbuster films and TV series such as Outlander to shoot here. But questions remain about whether the privately-funded project in the Pentlands will deliver what is needed.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s undoubted potential as a venue for film production continues to be only partially fulfilled.
Despite ideal circumstances in terms of both natural beauty and urban settings, the screen industry in Scotland is in essence only a service industry for Hollywood productions that too often drop in, make use of our locations and then depart.
There is a case for re-establishing Scottish Screen – which was absorbed into Creative Scotland in 2010 – to provide a focal point and maintain momentum. There is certainly a need for better and more accessible funding.
In a sector that often thrives on feel-good narratives, Mr Archer’s optimistic comments are perhaps appropriate. But there are times, as any screenwriter will attest, when a dash of realism is also necessary, if only for the sake of plausibility.
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