 {filming in glasgow} general overview
“The whole experience has been delightful. The people of Scotland made us feel really welcome. The crew and locations available are great. The fact that we have shot a war sequence that took place in Iraq and used Bangour Village Hospital to double for a psychiatric hospital in rural Vermont, all within an hour of Glasgow is a great testimony to the ability of film people to create believable environments in practically any place in the world. It seems to me that there is almost no limitation to the kind of picture that can be done in Scotland."
Peter Strauss, Exec Producer on The Jacket (shot Jan 2004)
Over the past two years, production activity in Glasgow has contributed over £30 million to the local economy. This activity has helped to create approximately 790 jobs within the production industry and a further 230 indirect jobs within the local economy. Feature film projects which have recently filmed in Glasgow include “The Jacket” (Section 8/Mandalay Entertainment), “Unleashed” (Europacorp), “Young Adam” (Recorded Picture Company), and “Ae Fond Kiss” (Sixteen Films).
Both BBC Scotland and SMG (Scottish Media Group) have their headquarters in Glasgow. Their output supports the production industry in Glasgow by sustaining television dramas like Taggart, now in its 20th year of production and Monarch of the Glen which, although filmed in the north of Scotland, utilises Glasgow crew and facilities. There are over 600, highly skilled freelance crew in the city covering all crew grades. Glasgow is considered as the only regional alternative to London, which is able to provide experienced crew for simultaneous large scale productions.
We also have top class facilities and services companies in the city covering all necessary areas from camera hire through to efficient courier services. Additionally, the postproduction sector has grown rapidly over the past two years. Glasgow has also developed strong ties with production companies in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and beyond. Local production companies are now offering co-production services to these countries (and others), and hence building their international profiles.
In 1997, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police signed the Film Charter for the City of Glasgow. It is based on the ethos of the New York Mayor’s Office for Film, Broadcasting and Theatre, has ensured Glasgow’s recognition, by filmmakers, as a film friendly centre for production. The existence of the Film Charter means that productions filming in the city have co-operation from liaison officers in Glasgow City Council departments and the Police. GFO helps facilitate the liaison between Glasgow City Council and the production. This will include assistance with road closures, parking and securing council locations. GFO will also provide location agreements for public property and provide liaison with other statutory services and organisations.
Over the past few years Glasgow has grown in stature and is now one of the leading film production centres in the UK.
GFO can help you find the right locations for your production.
For more information about filming in Glasgow, check out our downloads section.
For general information about Filming in the UK, please see the UK Film Council website www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/filmmaking/filminguk/ |
