Film in Scotland
Creative Scotland is a national public body and works within very strict parameters around how it can use its budgets to support the screen sector. In recent years, staff had noticed a growing interest in practical, but cost-effective, merchandise items at trade events. Following on from the production of Film in Scotland mobile phone screen-wipes in previous years, in 2016, to support a highly targeted goody-bag for key personnel at trade events, a Film in Scotland mobile phone charger was produced. This high-quality, strikingly branded item was both simple and practical, but oozed exclusivity. At Cannes, word of mouth soon spread, giving the item ‘must-have’ status amongst delegates. Film in Scotland: ‘Film in Scotland’ is a clear and direct promotional campaign which invites international screen productions to consider Scotland as a venue for all, or part, of their upcoming projects. Using uncluttered and striking photography that showcases the breadth of what Scotland has to offer – from the urban settings allowing Scotland to replicate other international cities, to the inherent natural beauty across the Highlands and Islands – and profiling the crew, talent, facilities and incentives which are available to productions of all scales, the brand is employed in print, advertising, online and through promotional materials, and supported at a suite of key market events around the world. At the centre of this campaign, Creative Scotland – the national agency for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland – oversees a funding programme for film production and talent development, and a fast, free and confidential locations service to help facilitate all aspects of incoming projects. Working closely with a network of partners, from a growing facilities base through to local and national government, the message is simple: Scotland is a nation that is open for business. And the message seems to be working. Film and TV producers spent a record £45.8m shooting on location in Scotland in 2014/15, an increase of almost £12 million compared with 2013 and demonstrating a fast growing appetite from major film and high-end TV producers to use Scotland as a location for their productions.
