Written by on Dec 15, 2014. Posted in On Location

Scottish film professionals sign letter supporting Glasgow studio

Dozens of Scottish production professionals have signed an open letter advocating the development of a new film studio in Glasgow. The feeling is that a purpose-built facility is needed if Scotland is to attract more shoots on the scale of the historical drama Outlander.

“There is an existing critical mass of companies and facilities activity in the city, the major terrestrial broadcasters, over 50,000 sq ft of sound and picture post production houses, new hotel developments, Glasgow School of Art, its world-leading Digital Design Studio and existing screen and creative micro-clusters such as Film City Glasgow and The Hub,” the letter states.

“Productions using Glasgow will enjoy close links to the city, existing cultural and hospitality amenities, together with the thicker pools of freelance workers and talent living in the city and surrounding areas.”

A feasibility study published earlier this year presented a shortlist of potential sites for development, including Wardpark Studios, an adapted facility in Cumbernauld that was chosen as a base for Outlander.

The new letter sent to the Scottish Film Studio Delivery Group outlines the disadvantages of developing a studio outside an urban centre. It says “there is little appetite amongst the many skilled workers, screen companies, post houses, or facilities companies to permanently relocate outside an urban centre.”

In recent years the Scottish government negotiated with Pinewood Studios to open a facility in Scotland, but Pinewood ultimately chose to expand to Cardiff instead.

Creative Scotland’s Film Strategy 2014-17 report, published in October, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a Scottish studio, but gave no new details as to what resources might be offered, or a timeline for development.

(Outlander photo: Nick Briggs – © 2014 Sony PicturesTelevision Inc)