Scotland's film industry

For most people, mention of Scotland’s film industry brings to mind Gregory’s Girl. That, or Braveheart.
However, there is more to the film industry in Scotland than historically-inaccurate blockbusters filmed in Ireland.
The latest big-budget film to be shot in Scotland is Burke and Hare. Set mostly in Edinburgh, the film tells the true story of the 19th century murderers William Burke and William Hare. Although directed by American John Landis, much of the film has been shot in Edinburgh and Stirling.
Scotland, with its macabre history and dark landscapes, is the ideal place to shoot a horror film. The cult classic, The Wicker Man, was set on the fictional Scottish island of Summerisle, and mostly filmed in Dumfries and Galloway. As well as being a hit with horror fans, the film was well received by critics, winning the 1978 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. In 2004, The Wicker Man was named the 6th greatest British film of all time by Total Film magazine., It later ranked at number 485 on Empire Magazine’s ‘500 greatest movies of all time’.
In 2007, the adaptation of Clive Barker’s Books of Blood series was filmed in Edinburgh. Joe Daley of Seraphim films, who made the film, said "Once the idea of shooting in Scotland came up we jumped at the opportunity. Edinburgh is an amazing city. Every location we are using elevates this story to such an incredible level."
Rosie Ellison, spokeswoman for Edinburgh Film Focus, the city's locations agency, said: "Horror films are very much in vogue at the moment, and there's been a real growth in their popularity in the last few years. Somewhere like Edinburgh is virtually a ready-made set for a horror film, with its underground locations and twisty historic streets. There's real potential there for Scotland to attract more horror films."
Mark Cousins, a Scottish writer and producer, added "Scotland has a huge number of great gothic locations and visually stunning places. It's great for us to attract film-makers from overseas, but it would be lovely if we could have our very own horror film-making industry right here in Scotland. The good thing about horror films is that you don't need a big studio to make them in."
Richard Jobson, the writer and director of New Town Killers, said of Edinburgh, "You can time-travel so easily – in a moment, you can move from the antiquated, genteel home of the Enlightenment, a place rich in culture, to this dark, unsettling, subterranean world." Released in 2008, New Town Killers tells the story of a young man forced into playing a game of cat and mouse with two wealthy bankers, across Edinburgh’s New Town. They’ll pay off his debts - if he survives the night.
Filmed almost entirely in the New Town, and starring Fife actor Dougray Scott, New Town Killers was a critical success, and nominated for a Bafta. However, despite being an official selection for the London Film Festival, and the International Thessaloniki Film Festival, the film failed to make any real impact on the box office.
James Kilgour, a student filmmaker, thinks that part of the problem is that the Scottish film industry is not promoted enough. However, he admits that this is on the rise. “I don't think it’s due to lack of effort - there are organisations such as Skillset and Scottish Screen that are there helping filmmakers.”
However, the problems occur after the films have been made. All too often, they are not shown beyond film festivals. When they are given a cinema release, it is usually at limited cinemas, for a limited time.
James is unsure if he wants to work in the Scottish film industry. “I am proud to be Scottish, but I don’t think the Scottish film industry is recognised enough. I don’t want to spend years making something that isn’t even seen outside the country”.
James’s favourite Scottish film is Dog Soldiers. Set in the Highlands of Scotland, it was filmed almost entirely in Luxembourg. This is the other problem with the Scottish film industry. Films set in Scotland are rarely actually filmed here, despite the fact that Scotland has impressive landscapes, and quirky towns.
Previously, films were made outside the country because Britain did not offer tax relief for films. In January 2007, a system of film tax relief was implemented. In order to be eligible for the tax break, 25% of a film’s production costs must relate to the UK, and the film must be intended for cinematic release. This offers a financial incentive to film in Scotland.
Filmed in the early 1990s, much of Braveheart was filmed in Ireland, However, it was recently voted by cinema-goers as the top Scottish film of all time. Unfortunately, despite being an entertaining blockbuster, most of it was inaccurate. Even Mel Gibson’s accent was voted one of the worst accents in cinema history. However, as James points out, “I've heard of Scottish films not doing so well in the States because of them not being able to understand the accent.” Also on the list was The Last King of Scotland, which was even less Scottish than Braveheart, James McAvoy aside.
James McAvoy is just one of many successful Scottish actors. However, like many Brits, he has chosen to make his career in big-budget films, many filmed in Hollywood. This is partly because Scottish films do not offer the money and recognition that many actors crave. Perhaps a Scottish film starring a famous Scottish actor would finally put Scotland on the filmmaking map, allowing Scottish filmmakers to compete with big studios.
Scotland can, and does, produce world-class films. The country has the filmmakers, actors and locations. Now all it needs is the audience.