glasgow

What’s been happening?

This year there were a lot of applications made, a lot of writing undertaken, and many ideas put out there. From that were returned some opportunities that have proved really valuable.

EIFF Talent Lab

In August I was selected as one of the participants in the Edinburgh Int. Film Festival Talent Lab. Over the course of two weekends together we heard from industry professionals, drawn from writing, directing, producing, casting. It was intensive and it felt like I learned more about the film industry in those two weekends than I have all year. Really lucky and grateful to have been a part of it.

The full participant list:

Roisin Agnew, Catriona McNicoll, Morna Pearson, Dipo Baruwa-Etti, Mike Callaghan, Eleanor Capaldi, Toby Fell-Holden, Rebekah Fortune, Sarah Grant, Jack King, Josephine Lohoar Self, Ciaran Lyons, Razan Madhoon, Iqbal Mohammed, Eric Romero, Victoria Thomas, Reece Cargan, Chloe Chudasama, Emily Everdee, Rachel Gold, Jamie MacDonald, Nick Rowell, Annika Ranin, Sanam Soleimany

EIFF Talent Lab Participants 2021

New Talent Mentorship

I was lucky enough to be selected for the Glasgow Film Festival’s New Talent Mentorship programme, paired with filmmaker Siri Rødnes (Take Your Partners, Shetland). Over the next 6 months there will be an opportunity to develop my writing, learn more about the industry and find out any useful advice and support that Siri can give. When everything still feels so new and opaque in places, a bit of a guidance through it all is very welcome.

Thanks to Emma and all colleagues at GFF for this opportunity, and to MUBI, in association with ScreenSkills as part of the BFI Future Film Skills Programme, using Funds from the National Lottery.

Full mentee list: Eleanor Capaldi, Alice Cornelia, Bjorn Hanson, Jennifer Heaton, Catriona MacLeod, Paul Sng, Joanne Thomson, Scar Ward.

Round up

Through 2020 – 2021 I’ve been mostly trying to get through this wild ride of the pandemic like everyone else, focusing on writing rather than production for the moment. My last short from the before times, Glue, was nominated for Best of British at Queer Vision Film Festival, in association with Iris Prize and Encounters Film Fest in 2020. Having been accepted into Roze FilmDagen fest in 2020 it received an in person screening in the Netherlands this year. You can see the trailer below.

I’ve been taking part in story development workshops with GMAC, which has provided opportunity to explore ideas and try things out. I was admitted to the RADA Summer Course ‘Taking Text Apart’, which gave me the chance to approach writing from a different perspective and spend some time with Beckett, Checkhov, and Shakespeare.

Thinking of heading into the New Year, while there is most of the mentorship still to go, various opportunities to apply for and numerous ideas in the works, the pandemic has reinforced a sense of wariness, as there’s so much uncertainty. That said, all being well, I’m going to keep working on it all, and hopefully have something to show.

There are lots of people who help you along the way, even at this fledgling stage, and for anyone who’s read a draft, given me feedback, encouraged me when I wondered what on earth I’m doing (and why!) – thanks.

Take care, rest well.

Image Credit: Reflection Room by Flynn Talbot. Photo by E Sumner

a silver sculpture in the shape of dna

Hidden Sculptures in Glasgow – the Fab Four

Now the weather is getting bright it’s time for more walks and wanders. If you find yourself at a loose end in the city why not take a tour and stop by some of these hidden sculptural gems.

The Hunterian at The University of Glasgow

The Hunterian, soon to turn 300 years old, has its very own sculpture garden adjacent to the Art Gallery off University Avenue. This little haven is a sun trap in the summer and is mostly discovered accidentally. A lovely spot for lunch.

a bell top towerTop of Lantern, 1901, Mackintosh, pic courtesy Hunterian

Maggie’s Centre

Cross through the University campus and make your way towards the far end of Argyle Street. Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre hosts a DNA spiral which you can see in passing from street level. It was created by co-founder of Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres Charles Jencks, also responsible for the one day a year wonder, the Garden of Cosmic Speculation.

a silver sculpture in the shape of dnaMaggie’s Centre Glasgow, DNA seat with twisted
waveform, Charles Jencks, 2002-2003

Renfrew Street

We’re off to the City Centre now. Hope on a bus or take a stroll to Charing Cross. Once there, look up, and say hello to Beethoven. On Renfrew Street (the other side of Sauchiehall Street) a Beethoven bust looks out from this B-listed building upon the locals. Above what used to be a former piano shop, T A Ewing’s Piano and Harmonium Emporium,  it was sculpted by the owner’s brother, James Alexander Ewing.

a bust of BeethovenBeethoven, James Alexander Ewing, circa 1897 pic Geograph.org

Merchant City

Continue down and while familiar to University of Strathclyde students if you’re not a resident of the area you’re in for a treat. Rottenrow Gardens used to be the location of a former maternity hospital, The Rottenrow, opened 1834. Now demolished, the archways remain and in tribute a metal sculpture of a giant safety pin. So the story goes, pregnant women were walked up and down the steep hill to stimulate labour – and it worked!

a safety pin sculpture in gardensMonument to Maternity/Mhtpothta, George Wylie, 2004

There are many wonderful sculptures distributed across the city, what others are your favourites?