BBC Scotland launch Scottish documentary scheme
Aspiring filmmakers have the chance to produce their own documentaries for broadcast on the BBC Scotland channel.
BBC Scotland’s HQ in Glasgow.
“Scotland already has some great documentary makers but we hope that this scheme will help support those who would like to build a career in factual programme-making for themselves, but who don’t yet have a wealth of experience, while also providing our viewers with great stories from across the country.” – BBC Scotland channel manager, Tony Nellany
Aspiring filmmakers have the chance to produce their own documentaries for broadcast on the BBC Scotland channel thanks to a new collaboration. An exciting tie-up between Screen Scotland, the Scottish Documentary Institute and BBC Scotland will see six original 30-minute programmes broadcast over the next two years.
Aimed at directors who already have some film-making experience, the Right Here initiative will provide mentoring and production expertise which will enhance Scotland’s existing documentary and factual programme-making community.
The successful applicants will receive professional production assistance and a budget to make half-hour films reflecting the richness and diversity of life in modern day Scotland. All six programmes will be aired on the new BBC Scotland channel over the next few years.
The BBC Scotland channel is the third from the broadcaster behind BBC One Scotland and BBC Alba. Recent audience figures show that more people were watching paint dry than tuning into BBC Scotland. STV’s attempt at a second Scottish channel, STV2, had just begun to break even when the BBC announced their scottish channel, which instantly saw STV close their version down. While the beeb offer little in archive content STV2 gave a mix of new programming, news and classics such as Take the High Road, Rebus and Taggart.
“This exciting new collaboration will help to discover and develop new filmmaking voices and stories that will have the power to engage, connect and change the way we see Scotland. The BBC Scotland channel has already proven to be an important new platform for Scottish documentaries with Nae Pasaran and Last Breath recently airing, these new commissions will be in great company.” – Leslie Finlay of Screen Scotland
