Film sets seminar

Date Added - 14/05/09

Owners of properties which could be suitable as film sets are being invited to a seminar in Forres later this month.

The Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission (SHIFC) is hosting the event in conjunction with the Moray Film Festival and is looking to attract estate owners and the owners of unique properties in Moray.

The seminar, which will be held at Horizon Scotland, located at the Forres Business Park, on Thursday, May 28 from 12 noon to 4pm, will cover topics on film and TV production in the Highlands, registering on the location owners’ database, working with TV and film companies and legal issues surrounding the use of locations.

Guest location managers will be on hand to provide advice from their perspective.

The film commission’s role is to encourage film and TV-related activity in the Highlands and Islands by making it as simple and efficient as possible for film and TV companies from around the world to operate in the area.

The commission’s online database covers Argyll and Bute, Highland, Moray and Orkney and Shetland and holds an extensive digitised photo library with over 40,000 images of locations.

SHIFC commissioner Trish Shorthouse said: “Despite the difficult economic climate, SHIFC has seen a 9% rise in film and TV inquiries over the last year – 212 projects, the second highest figure since the film commission was established.

“In any one year this can mean between £1million and £6million being spent in the local economy.”

In the past few years several high-profile films have been shot partly in the Highlands and Islands, including Stardust and The Water Horse and, more recently, Made Of Honour, which features scenes filmed in Skye and Glenelg.

The seminar is free of charge but only limited places are available and they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The closing date for bookings is Tuesday, May 19. Bookings can be made by contacting Fiona Limbrey on 01343 563283