Vignettes by Marty Schnapf
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STV News
15 minutes ago
- STV News
Scottish film talent 'bypassed' in big-screen boom, industry figures warn
From city streets to sweeping landscapes, Scotland has long been a star of the big and small screen. In recent years, global productions have transformed familiar locations into backdrops for hits like Indiana Jones, Tetris and Batman – with Spider-Man the latest to swing into Glasgow. Last year alone, the city hosted 140 productions – from Shetland and The Buccaneers to The Running Man – bringing in an estimated £33m to the economy. But behind the blockbuster buzz, some in the industry say Scotland's own film talent is stuck on the sidelines. STV News Filming for Marvel's upcoming blockbuster Spider-Man 4 kicks off, as sets and film production vehicles are spotted in Glasgow. 'It's amazing that big movies like Spider-Man are filmed here, but more needs to be done to promote Scottish films by Scottish talent,' senior producer and director Peter Strachan said. 'Just because it's filmed in Scotland, doesn't make it a Scottish production. 'A lot of work has gone into attracting movies to be filmed in Scotland, but more has to be done to support directing, producing and writing talent to flourish and actually make movies.' Screen Scotland say they're committed to supporting Scotland-based film and TV talent, with most of its production funding going to Scotland-based projects. Recent examples include Only Child and Mayflies for BBC Scotland, The Rig for Amazon Prime and feature films such as Aftersun and The Outrun. STV News Producer and director Peter Strachan The agency last month doubled its investment in new film talent from Scotland to £1.2m with the creation of new programme Talent Builder. This sits alongside a £4m annual film development and production fund that directly invests in films from Scotland-based producers, directors and writers, and the £2.5m Broadcast Content Fund for television projects from Scottish production companies. Yet even productions that look Scottish on screen, like hit reality TV show The Traitors, can have surprisingly few Scots working behind the camera. Season three of the show, which filmed in the Highlands, had 13 Scotland-based people working on it, according to Mr Strachan's data – equivalent to 5.94% of the total staff. 'It's considered by London that Scottish screen talent doesn't have the requisite skills or experience. That's just nonsense. 'The question we should be asking is not about Scottish qualification – it's about origination. Are the TV shows and movies we're getting to watch on our screens made in Scotland, by Scottish talent? Research shows that's not to the extent it ought to be.' STV News Karan Bhopal has been involved in extra work for 35 years Karan Bhopal has worked as an extra on everything from Batman to Indiana Jones – but says too often visiting productions use London-based casting companies. 'I enjoy it – you get to meet people and see things behind the scenes,' he said. 'Being part of motion pictures is such a buzz, but there's many people on the books that want to be a part of productions. We sometimes don't get a bite of that apple. 'Some of the bigger production companies coming from America use London-based casting companies. Sometimes the doors are closed to us – I find that quite unfair.' Talent agency manager David Bell agreed, saying Scottish professionals are too often overlooked for key jobs. 'Scotland has a wealth of talent, but when the big productions come to film they come up with English staff and generally we're drafted in to plug gaps at the last minute. 'They're not using assistant directors, makeup artists, costume people that have worked in the industry for years. They're bypassing using local talent.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Minecraft firm 4J Studios opens in Edinburgh as work on major new game intensifies
'The pioneer programme is really taking off and it's fascinating to see how people are experiencing the game' – Paddy Burns Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A pioneering Scottish video games developer best known for its console editions of global phenomenon Minecraft has opened its first Edinburgh office as work on its next major release intensifies. Award-winning 4J Studios - founded in 2005 by Chris van der Kuyl and Paddy Burns - said its new studio on the capital's George Street will be home to staff focused on software and design roles. A recruitment drive is now underway to tap into the city's games sector talent pool. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Dundee-based firm, which employs more than 50 people, is best known for its work on the Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo console editions of Minecraft. It is currently sharpening its focus on the development and delivery of a major new release, entitled Reforj. 4J Studios was founded in 2005 by Paddy Burns, left, and Chris van der Kuyl. The game is being developed in collaboration with the gaming community through 4J's 'Pioneer Program', whereby hundreds of players have been given access to the title while it is in production. Their feedback is being used to inform and improve the user experience and the games studio has recruited Joe Garrett - a popular figure in gaming circles whose YouTube channels and commentary on Minecraft have racked up billions of views - to support that process and work with the Reforj design team in collaboration with the gaming community. The new title is slated for release in 2026 and is built on the Elements Engine, a proprietary software platform developed by the 4J team specifically to facilitate development of its latest game. Burns, chief executive of 4J Studios, said: 'The development of Reforj has been gathering pace for several months now and 20 years on from Chris and I launching the studio, this is as exhilarating a time as we can remember for the firm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The pioneer programme is really taking off and it's fascinating to see how people are experiencing the game and to hear their feedback and be able to incorporate it as we go. We hope we can capitalise on that momentum and sense of energy by opening our first office in Edinburgh, which will give us even better access to the diverse pool of software and design talent that exists in and around the city.' Recent Scottish Government figures highlighted the strength of the video games industry in Scotland. The number of companies operating in the sector rose more than seven-fold between 2010 and 2024, from 15 to 130 firms, with combined turnover growing in line with that increased activity, from £38.1 million to £340m over the same period. That sector strength has helped the country achieve a first in attracting the leading games industry event, Dice Europe, to Scotland this autumn. Van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J Studios, said: 'Dice Europe coming to Edinburgh and Dundee is a major moment of international recognition for our home-grown industry. It's vital that the sector and government use this as a catalyst for further cooperation and collaboration, creating the best possible conditions for the many brilliant individuals and studios we have within the sector in Scotland.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Scottish museum showcases importance of underwater archaeology
The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine is hosting the Beneath The Waves exhibition until September. It is the result of a collaboration between maritime explorer Graeme Bruce, underwater photographer Lawson Wood and underwater artist Christina Riley. James McLean, senior curator at the museum, said: 'Eva Bukowska, our exhibition and events officer, organised it all. We have a rolling schedule of exhibitions, and this idea came together to highlight importance of underwater archaeology to Scotland. 'It shows the amazing marine life Scotland has to offer and you get a taste if you come down to the museum. We have such wonderful natural landscapes here and it really is something to be celebrated.' READ MORE: I tried to go to 10 Fringe shows in one day. Here's what happened McLean said working alongside the experts has paid off. He said: 'It was totally essential to work with them. We would do our own research and use some of our own material but we knew we wanted to speak to the experts in the field and highlight their work.' Among the main attractions are two rare ceramic bowls by Glasgow-based Bell's Pottery that were recovered from an 1857 iron steamship SS Eagle off Lamlash Bay in Arran by Graeme Bruce and his team in 2024. The ship sank in November 1859 after colliding with a sailing boat and it resulted in the loss of 11 lives. McLean said: 'It has also been popular due to Graeme Bruce allowing us to be the first place to show off his findings and people have wanted to come see them.' Photographer Wood has 60 years of underwater experience and more than 54 books published. Much of his work is on display at the exhibition and helps to reveal the world of marine life such as colourful tropical fish, seals and corals. Wood said: 'Eva came across me on Instagram, got in touch and asked me to submit photographs from our local waters to be a part of the exhibition. It was a delight and an honour to be invited to be a part of it.' Riley is an underwater artist who had already partnered with the museum through her permanent residence for her Nature Library that is open to public every Sunday to come see the themed books she has on offer. In 2022, she spent two weekends in residence at the Argyll Hope Spot which is a protected place that is a part of a global initiative by Mission Blue that highlights areas critical to the health of the ocean. She has written a book about her experience that will be out in November. Riley said: 'Eva and the team have put together this incredible exhibition together, it feels like you're walking underwater. 'It is fantastic, they are really celebrating how exciting the ocean is and that is the theme that I really want to focus on.' The museum said the exhibition has been received well, with many visitors excited to see a world they did not know much about. McLean said: 'The reception has been really positive, people have been really enjoying it. 'It's really popular, which has been helped by how much the local community has been interested in it. READ MORE: Flights cancelled and planes diverted at Scottish airport 'There is so much for people to see. I think people from looking at our photographs would have an awakening to the weird and wonderful colours of marine life around our shores.' Riley added: 'You never know what it could introduce you to because there is something for everyone. I just hope that people see something that they have never seen before or look at the ocean in a new way.' 'Here is another world of amazing creatures and colours, you don't have to go to warm tropical seas to get the amazing colours of marine life we have here. It is here for everybody to enjoy,' Woods said. Beneath the Waves also features artefacts from the museum's national maritime heritage collection and exhibits on loan from North Ayrshire Heritage Trust. Visitors can learn more about free diving and how it has advanced our understanding of marine archaeology and conservation. Riley added: 'Having these spaces where these things can be brought together and the public can see is great. People get to see something new, beautiful and exciting.' Entry to the exhibition is part of admission to the museum which is open daily from 10am-5pm. The exhibition runs until September 13.
