Latest news with #DirectorsUK
The National
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Top roles on BBC Scottish dramas 'more often based in London'
BBC Scotland has been told there is a 'lot of distrust' among the Scottish production community due to the corporation choosing London-based creatives over them, The National understands. Peter Strachan, who sits on the board of trade body Directors UK, said the broadcaster still has 'a long way to go' in providing careers for film and TV talent based in Scotland. The veteran TV director's research, for which he looked at where the people who hold above-the-line roles on established and new Scottish BBC dramas are based, suggested that more people based in London hold key production positions than those in Scotland. READ MORE: Scottish director's film set during Highland Clearances takes Cannes by storm Strachan looked at eight dramas commissioned by BBC Scotland: Granite Harbour, Nightsleeper, Shetland, Vigil, Mint, Counsels, Grams, and The Young Team. The latter three are set to be funded from the soon-to-be axed River City's budget. The research showed that nearly 43% of above-the-line roles, which include positions like directors, producers, and writers, were held by London-based creatives, while less than 42% of the same positions were held by those based in Scotland. Strachan (below) has called on BBC Scotland to boost the level of Scottish writers, producers, and directors working on its shows. (Image: Supplied) He said: 'The stats aren't all bad news but reveal there's still a long way to go in terms of creating career-sustaining opportunities for senior film and TV talent based in Scotland. 'There's a lot of distrust in the Scottish production community, as one senior drama director put it, 'I've already been to a lot of rodeos'. 'It's important the BBC does even more to boost the level of Scottish writers, producers and directing talent working on its network Scottish productions. Editors, too.' A report published by Screen Scotland late last year found that only five of the BBC's top 15 'Scottish' producers (by hours commissioned) were headquartered in Scotland. Previous research by Strachan also found that the hit TV show The Traitors had 81% of its production team based in England. At the same time, he also published an open letter calling for 'urgent' changes, without which he warned Scotland's screen industry will 'continue to dwindle and die'. Strachan told The National that London-based creatives being favoured by the BBC isn't just a Scotland issue but one that affects the whole of the UK. He added: 'The best way to do this is to award commissions to genuinely Scottish production companies, which guarantees the IP stays in Scotland, helping to sustain jobs and develop new productions. 'My colleagues and I at Directors UK look forward to working collaboratively with the BBC to bring about positive change. 'This isn't just a Scottish issue, it's one that impacts all of Directors UK's 'Out of London' members and has done for many years.' BBC Scotland has been approached for comment.
The National
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Scottish Government welcomes BBC update after Traitors row
It comes after a row erupted around The Traitors over the lack of Scottish staff working on the show despite being it filmed in the Highlands. Earlier this year, Peter Strachan, who sits on the board of trade body Directors UK, accused the BBC of 'depriving' Scots of opportunities as his analysis of the show's off-screen employees claimed the BBC was failing to comply with Ofcom's regulations. He alleged that 81% of The Traitors season three production team was based in England and that only 7% of off-screen talent was used in series one and 6% in series two. READ MORE: Counter-protesters gather against far-right group in Glasgow city centre Strachan said that just 4% of the 'above the line roles' at Studio Lambert-produced The Traitor's were filled by staff based in Scotland – and by removing a Glasgow-based executive producer it would be 0%. Regulator Ofcom sets out-of-London criteria for production companies which are supposed to encourage firms to make more programmes, spend more money and employ greater numbers of staff outside of the English capital. The regulations require producers to meet two of three criteria to qualify as out-of-London. These are having a 'substantive base' in the region, investing 70% of production spend and having at least 50% of the off-screen talent outside London. On Friday, the BBC published an update where it said it intended to go "well beyond the existing 'qualifying criteria'" and have "at least 70%" of its production budget based locally and/or draw "significantly" on local programme-makers and crew to produce shows. The corporation's director of nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies, said: "In future, we will not typically commission a new network production regionally unless we are confident it will invest at least 70% of its production budget locally and/or draw significantly on local programme-makers and crew to produce the show. "We will work closely with our partners in the independent sector to make sure we step through this approach carefully, recognising that some shows have very specific editorial, talent or production requirements. "We will publish our progress in delivering this commitment each year." READ MORE: Donald Trump's calls for North Sea drilling no 'surprise', John Swinney says Talfan Davies added that while results will be published annually, "delivering this change will take a little time", as he said TV commissioning cycles can take as long as three years. Angus Robertson (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Culture Secretary Angus Robertson, who previously met with the BBC over concerns around the number of Scottish crew working on the show, welcomed the update. He said: "Welcome rethink about BBC commissioning after concerns and criticism in Scotland. Change in approach will hopefully influence other public service broadcasters, as well as Ofcom, and help Scottish screen sector grow to £1bn annual industry. "I look forward to meeting with the BBC to understand how quickly the improvements to commissioning in Scotland will happen. The [Scottish Government is committed to support the Scottish screen sector reach its full potential, with £1bn GVA target by end of 2030/31."
