Latest news with #GlasgowTellyFestival
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Scottish TV legends call for major change in industry
This call for wholesale change was made at the conclusion of the first Glasgow Telly Festival. The four-day event was packed with innovative ideas for creating TV programmes, focusing on cooperation, action, and audience input. Glasgow audiences packed into the Telly Festival events (Image: Supplied) Read more: Ricky Gervais' comedy talent search coming to Glasgow with £5k prize The event brought together new and established talent from across Scotland to brainstorm, create, and showcase fresh TV pilots developed in under two weeks. The aim is to reignite interest in Scottish storytelling and push for a more cooperative, dynamic approach to TV production. At the final day of the event, a live reading of six TV pilots was hosted by Carol Smillie. The reading featured well-known actors such as Shauna MacDonald, Joe McFadden, Maureen Beattie, Robin Laing, Kim Allan, and Cal MacAninch. TV presenter Carol Smillie hosted the grand finale event of the festival (Image: Supplied) Joe McFadden and Shauna Macdonald performing at the festival (Image: Supplied) Audience members were given the chance to vote for their favourite pilot via the Studio Head app. Over the course of the weekend, 55 'One Minute Pilots' - short, creative pitches - were filmed by Glasgow's actors, writers, and directors and screened at venues throughout the city, highlighting the breadth of local talent. The festival kicked off with a lively panel discussion, chaired by STV's Laura Boyd, and featuring beloved Scottish TV figures including Colin McCredie, Sanjeev Kohli, Jane McCarry, and director Michael Hines, who shared their experiences and visions for the future of Scottish broadcasting. The full cast of writers, directors and actors who created and performed six new TV pilots live at the festival (Image: Supplied) Read more: River City did not pass value for money test, BBC Scotland boss tells MSPs Festival founder Claire Duffy, a Scottish author, producer, and screenwriter, said the event was both a celebration of local creativity and a rallying cry for change. She said: "We've had an incredible weekend enjoying the work of the wonderfully talented TV creatives we have in Glasgow and Scotland. "We've shown that a new way of doing things can exist – but most importantly, we've proven without a shadow of a doubt the incredible appetite that exists for Scottish stories and talent. "Audiences are waiting, we just need to take action and work together to produce the brilliant telly they deserve. "I'll be coming back down to earth for a while after such an amazing weekend and would like to thank everyone who has supported this first-ever Glasgow Telly Festival. "In many ways, the hard work starts here. "Scottish TV has been in crisis for a long while, but from crisis comes opportunity and it's time to grab that with both hands. "The Glasgow Telly Festival will only grow from here – as Carol Smillie said yesterday, the Hydro beckons!" Viewers can continue to watch and vote for pilots on the Studio Head website and catch up with the festival's events on the Handbag Studios website.
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Crime drama written by Glasgow doorman to screen at TV festival
The festival, which runs from May 29 to June 1, is the creation of Scottish author, producer, and screenwriter Claire Duffy. It aims to spotlight Glasgow's TV talent while driving change to help the crisis-hit Scottish TV industry. Now, a new event has been added to the festival line-up. On Saturday, May 31, there will be a Q&A and special screening event of the Glasgow crime drama Concrete Jungle. The drama, which has attracted a large audience on STV Player since its release, was written by former Glasgow doorman Anton O'Donnell. Anton will appear at the special Glasgow screening to discuss the creation of his hit show. Some of the cast of Concrete Jungle, including writer Anton O'Donnell (Image: Supplied) Read more: Gritty Glasgow gangland film available to watch for free on STV Player This adds to the long list of events planned for the festival, including the Glasgow Telly Legends Pick of the Pilots Event on Thursday, May 29, from 7.30pm to 9pm at Maison by Glaschu. A host of Scottish TV talent, including actors Colin McCredie, Blythe Duff, Sanjeev Kohli, Jordan Young, Karen Bartke, Chris Forbes, Siobhan Redmond, and Maureen Beattie, are involved in the festival activities and events. The festival will feature a series of events across the city, spotlighting Glasgow's writers, producers, directors, and actors. The Glasgow public, known for its direct feedback, will be key to spotting potential TV hits through an innovative audience feedback app. The festival opens with a panel discussion from stars and creators of some of the most iconic Glasgow series. The final cast has also been revealed for the TV Pilot Open Mic Night, taking place at BAAD on Sunday, June 1, from 2pm to 4pm. Read more: Scottish TV stars back first-ever Glasgow Telly Festival Claire Duffy, founder and organiser of the festival, said: "The level of interest in the festival has been incredible, and quite overwhelming. "From TV talent who want to be involved, to people supporting from behind the scenes, it's been wonderful to see the strength of community that exists within the Scottish TV industry. "The whole idea behind all of the events is to give actors, directors, and writers - all at any stage of their career - the chance to showcase their work, and to really bring audiences into the fold to share their views. "I have no doubt that, collectively over time, we can bring creativity, opportunity, and prosperity back into the Scottish TV industry, and the Glasgow Telly Festival is just the start of what will be a very exciting journey."
Glasgow Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Company moves into Glasgow office with plans to recruit staff
Planet DDS, which provides cloud-based dental software solutions, has relocated from The Garment Factory to a new office at Ediston's 'Workstation' on Wellington Street in Glasgow. The move comes as the company continues to grow, with plans to recruit more staff. Read more: Popular Glasgow restaurant celebrates first anniversary with expansion plans The new office space was acquired with the help of Ryden's office agency team. The company was looking for a location that would offer a similar environment to their previous office, while also providing improved flexibility and functionality. The new office at Workstation was chosen for its fully furnished office suites, dedicated boardroom, and tea preparation facilities. (Image: Supplied) The building also features a recently refurbished shared ground-floor amenity space, which provides a substantial breakout zone with various formal and informal seating arrangements, a full kitchen, and a breakfast bar. Allan Mayberry, site lead and director of engineering at Planet DDS, said: "We are delighted with our new office, which is a great place for our staff to be and which will help with our planned growth." Gillian Giles, office agency partner at Ryden, said: "This move allows Planet DDS to transition effortlessly into a new building where they can simply bring their personal effects, plug into the IT infrastructure, and get to work immediately. "The recently installed common facilities provide fresh, flexible space that aligns perfectly with their wellbeing requirements and growth plans." Read more: Glasgow Telly Festival's full programme revealed - here's what you need to know Andy McKinlay of Ediston, on behalf of Clydebuilt, said: "Securing our first new occupier for 'Workstation' so quickly after completing the refurbishment demonstrates the quality and appeal of the space for modern occupiers. "We are very pleased to welcome Planet DDS and we look forward to seeing them thrive in their new home." Ediston and Clydebuilt LP were represented by Sarah Hagen, director and head of office agency at CBRE.
Glasgow Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Zhima restaurant in Glasgow celebrating first anniversary
Zhima, which opened on St Vincent Place in April 2024, has become a favourite among influencers and food lovers in the city. The restaurant, which was launched by Hunky Dory Dining Group after a £1 million redevelopment of the former Prezzo site, has served more than 34,000 portions of egg fried rice over the last year. Glasgow Telly Festival's full programme revealed - here's what you need to know Meanwhile, it's sold more than 7,000 plates of its signature dish, chilli honey chicken. It has also poured more than 20,000 pints of Hong Ba lager and shaken thousands of lychee and oolong martinis, the restaurant's most popular cocktail. Paul Sloan, co-founder of Hunky Dory Dining Group, said: "It's been an emotional journey. "Launching a new concept always comes with a risk, especially one that diverges from our established brands. "But the response has been overwhelming. "We wanted to create something new for Glasgow - a space that offered design, service, and cuisine in one elevated experience - and our guests have embraced that. 'Our proudest moment was last December. "It was a record month across the group, and to hit those heights with a new team, a new brand, and a labour-intensive kitchen, was a huge achievement.' Zhima, which specialises in late-night dining with a modern Chinese menu, has been frequented by the likes of Jamie Genevieve, Megan Welsh, and Ava Black. The restaurant has received glowing reviews, including a viral Facebook post from a solo diner who described the experience as "so good I couldn't stop ordering". Paul said: "Zhima isn't like anything else we've done. "It's more intimate, more refined. "Guests tell us it feels private and special. "That was the goal. "We wanted to offer a sense of occasion, a venue where people could dress up and dine late, right in the heart of the city. 'We had a vision of creating a late-night space where people could dress up and experience something special. "I think Zhima has proven that the city was ready for that.' Zhima (Image: Supplied) The restaurant is now looking to expand beyond Glasgow, with Edinburgh on the horizon. Read more: More than £2,000 worth of prizes to be won in nature writing competition Paul said: "A restaurant like Zhima belongs in major cities. "Edinburgh is definitely on our radar, and we can see it happening in the not so distant future. "What we've proven here is that the appetite exists for this kind of elevated, late-night Chinese dining. "We set out to create something special, and when you see how hard it is to get a booking most nights, you know it's struck a chord. "That's the kind of excitement we want to build on."
Glasgow Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Telly Festival's programme of activities revealed
Taking place from May 29 to June 1, the inaugural event aims to showcase Glasgow's TV talent whilst attempting to address the challenges facing the Scottish TV industry. The festival, conceived by Scottish author, producer, and screenwriter Claire Duffy, will feature a series of events across the city, showcasing the work of Glasgow's writers, producers, directors, and actors. Read more: Glasgow show to celebrate iconic member of The Beatles The festival programme was launched at Glasgow's VOCO Grand Central Hotel, the birthplace of television, where the first-ever TV broadcast took place in 1927. Scottish TV stars, including Colin McCredie, Sanjeev Kohli, and John Scougall, who will all be performing during the festival, attended the launch event. Festival organiser Claire Duffy joins Scottish actors Sanjeev Kohli, Colin McCredie and John Scougall to launch the programme of events (Image: Supplied) Other Scottish TV talent involved in the festival include Taggart's Blythe Duff, Scots Squad stars Jordan Young, Karen Barke, and Chris Forbes, and celebrated actor Siobhan Redmond. The festival has also garnered support from Scottish TV stalwarts, including actors Brian Cox, Dawn Steele, Joe McFadden, and Shauna Macdonald. As well as presenter Carol Smillie, and Still Game and Chewin' The Fat director Michael Hines. Read more: Glasgow fashion shop saves 12,500kg of clothing from going to landfill The festival will kick off on May 29 with the Glasgow Telly Legends Pick of the Pilots event, a panel discussion featuring stars and creators of some of the most iconic Glasgow series. Meanwhile, a guerrilla-style campaign of one-minute pilot videos showcasing the work of both Scotland's well-known and undiscovered TV talent will feature throughout the festival's run. These videos will be shown in pubs and other venues across the city. It will conclude on June 1 with a TV Pilot Open Mic Night, where scenes from potential new TV dramas will be performed live by some of Scotland's most fantastic actors. Claire Duffy, founder and organiser of the festival, said: "It's so exciting to be at this stage of festival prep. "Not many people realise that TV was actually invented in Glasgow almost 100 years ago - with the first-ever television broadcast taking place from the Grand Central Hotel in 1927. "It was incredibly meaningful to launch our programme of events at the same venue and, while we may have lost our way in the Scottish TV industry in recent years, it's so inspiring to be at the start of what I truly feel will be a resurgence for Scottish TV talent. "The Glasgow Telly Festival will be the catalyst to a new way of doing things to help bring back hope, creativity, risk-taking and opportunity into the TV industry again, and we can't wait to share our talented creatives with Glasgow audiences."
