The “Big Connection” returned to Glasgow at the end of May with an event focusing on TV’s unscripted genre. It brought together freelancers and executives from some of Scotland’s leading production companies.
The joint RTS Scotland/ScreenSkills event, held at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay base, started with a panel discussion led by RTS Scotland Vice-Chair Gavin Smith and ended with a “speed networking” session.
“There have been well-publicised financial headwinds [facing the industry],” admitted BBC Scotland Commissioning Executive Steve Allen, “but it’s not all bad news”.
Highlighting the opportunities for Scottish production companies, he said: “We do have money that we’re spending, hoping to stimulate the industry in Scotland.”
The panel discussed the importance of freelancers possessing a diversity of television skills to allow movement between genres.
Steven Little, Head of Production at Screen Scotland, said that for one recent series he had looked at “unscripted talent… they come with skills, it’s just [about] applying them to scripted production”.
Jeannot Hutcheson, Talent Executive at Glasgow’s Raise the Roof Productions, discussed the many challenges a production company faces, pointing to the need to find opportunities in the “new world” of digital content.
ScreenSkills Training Liaison Manager Kate Efomi highlighted the support her organisation can provide for established freelancers. She said: “A lot of people might think ScreenSkills is just for getting into the industry, but we really do want to underpin the message that we’re here for everyone – and we’re here for you throughout your career.”
