A REVIEW of the film sector in Scotland has been published today, Thursday 23 January, 2014.
Carried out for and on behalf of the film sector in Scotland, the study is intended to provide an overview of film in Scotland together with suggestions for future activity that will help the on-going creative and economic growth of the sector.
The independent study, commissioned by Creative Scotland, has been carried out by BOP Consulting, in partnership with Whetstone and Jonathan Olsberg (Olsberg SPI).
The purpose of the review is to recognise areas of strength as well as gaps in provision and to use this information to identify opportunities and to help inform future funding policy and operations.
The Film Sector Review is looking at all the elements that make up Scotland’s film sector, in both its cultural and industry context. These include learning, training, audience development, exhibition, distribution, employment, production, development and archive.
The review sets out a vision of where the film sector could be in ten years’ time, together with some actions required to reach these goals.
Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland, commented:
“Film is very important to us as one of our key areas of responsibility, alongside the arts and the creative industries, we are working very hard to identify how we strengthen resources for Film through partnership working with Government and other partners.
“The film sector review will help us develop an effective strategy for film in Scotland and we are committed to producing this strategy by the end of June 2014. We will work with Independent Producers Scotland (IPS) and others to develop this. This strategy will identify our short, medium and long-term priorities for developing the film sector and set out how we plan to deliver these priorities.
“Defining strategy is an ongoing reflective process. I would like to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to date, and encourage those who haven’t to do so. I am keen that we use the sector reviews that have already been completed, including the Film review that is published today, to ensure that the support we provide is as effective as possible and that each sector can develop to unlock potential and realise ambition in the best possible way.”
Looking forward, in April this year, Creative Scotland will publish its Plan for 2014 – 24 which will set out five ambitions for all the companies work focussing on excellence, reach, place, skills and international aims.
As part of this Plan, Creative Scotland will lay out its thinking on different art forms, film and screen, and the creative industries. This will provide an overview of current achievements and set out headline priorities for each art form or area of work in the context of the company’s overall ambitions.
A draft outline version of the Plan will be made available on-line from Monday 27 January for public feedback.
To read the review in full, and see Janet Archer’s statement on the Film sector review, please visit: www.creativescotland.com/about/sector-reviews/film-sector-review
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. After a tender process the Film Sector Review was conducted by BOP Consulting, in partnership with Whetstone Group and Jonathan Olsberg (Olsberg SPI). The review was conducted over a twelve-month period from January 2013 – January 2014.
2. During the research the consultants reported to a Creative Scotland Board sub-committee, consisting of Robin MacPherson (chair), May Miller and Richard Scott, Caroline Parkinson and Robbie Allen.
3. A Film Reference Group, representing interest groups and key individuals in the sector, was also set up to guide, test and challenge the consultants as they carried out their work. Membership of the Film Reference Groups included: Belle Doyle, Association of Film and Television Practitioners Scotland; Alan de Pellette, BAFTA Scotland; Alison Goring, BECTU; Andrew Poole & Phil Clapp, Cinema Exhibitors Association; Grant Ritchie, Creative Loop; Stuart Hepburn, EQUITY; Ros Davis, Locations Network; Eddie Dick, Producers Group; Noé Mendelle, Producers Group (Documentary); Cameron Fraser, Scottish Animation Network; Ken Hay, Scottish Film Exhibitors Group; Dr Jonny Murray, Scottish Media and Communications Association; Joanna Dewar Gibb, Screen Facilities Group; Alistair Rutherford, Writers Guild; Beth Armstrong, GMAC; Andrea Gibb, writer; Andy Green, Distrify; Nick Varley, Park Circus; Zam Salim, director.
4. BOP Consulting is a research and policy consultancy specialising in culture and the creative industries. Established in 1997, it has built up a reputation as a leader in its field, especially in understanding the economic and social impacts of culture, media and creativity. BOP has offices in London and Edinburgh. http://bop.co.uk
5. Whetstone Group is a strategy consultancy working with a range of businesses and public sector organisations to help them understand their markets. www.whetstonegroup.org
6. Jonathan Olsberg is a leading consultant to media and creative industries organisations in the UK and internationally. He has a particular specialism in public policy for the film sector.
7. Creative Scotland is the national organisation that funds and supports the development of Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries. Creative Scotland has four objectives: to develop and sustain a thriving environment for the arts, screen and creative industries; to support excellence in artistic and creative practice; to improve access to and participation in, arts and creative activity; and to deliver services efficiently and effectively. In 2013/14 Creative Scotland will distribute over £100m in funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.
For further information on Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
Media contacts:
Wendy Grannon
Media Relations & PR Manager
Creative Scotland
E: wendy.grannon@creativescotland.com
Direct Line: 0131 523 0016
Mobile: 07916 137 632
Switchboard: 0330 333 2000
Or
Sophie Bambrough
Media Relations & PR Manager
Creative Scotland
E: sophie.bambrough@creativescotland.com
Direct Line: 0131 523 0015
Mobile: 07747 606 146
Switchboard: 0330 333 2000
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Contact: Sophie Bambrough
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