We caught up with ScreenSkills' Training Liaison Manager for Scotland, Kate Efomi, to discuss what makes the nation's industry unique and what ScreenSkills is doing to support its workforce.
What makes the screen industry in Scotland special?
We have brilliant crew here and excellent talent. It’s not just visiting productions who benefit from what we do best, we have fantastic Scottish production companies making internationally-recognised home-grown content too – whether that’s films, high-end TV, unscripted TV, children’s TV or animation, we are a prolific bunch possessing brilliant creativity, professionalism and a wicked sense of humour. Scotland has a solid reputation for producing excellent crime dramas, but we also do fantasy and sci-fi really well and produce beautiful dramas. And our unscripted sector is second-to-none making network and streamer shows. I could go on!
What can freelancers based in Scotland look forward to from ScreenSkills in 2024?
ScreenSkills has been very mindful of responding to freelancers’ career progression needs and the industry’s needs in a realistic and meaningful way. Our Scotland HETV (high-end TV) Working Group has been particularly astute at bringing training opportunities where they’re needed. This year they have emphasised training for freelancers who are at a mid-to-senior level or training that really addresses skills gaps and shortages in Scotland.
I am particularly pleased that, for a second year running, we will be delivering an extremely popular course for Scotland-based hair and make-up artists, Working with textured hair types and make-up for deeper skin tones. The working group has also answered the call for costume supervisor training, advanced 2nd AD skills and gaining a full understanding of the post-production process for senior production professionals. All these initiatives and more will be opening for applications in the coming months on our website!
What is a critical focus area for the industry in Scotland in 2024, and how is ScreenSkills addressing it?
In answer to Scotland’s lack of script editors with production experience, we have also partnered with BECTU Vision to provide funded places for script editors who went through their HETV Production Script Editing Course. A cohort of 15 is available with significant funding attached for shadowing placements on HETV productions in Scotland and beyond.
We will also be partnering for a fifth time with the Royal Television Society, Scotland for another major industry networking event now known as The Big Connection, allowing industry members of all levels to come together.
What are some of your favourite Scottish productions?
One of my favourite productions this year has been Dinosaur which paints my hometown of Glasgow in such a warm light whilst brilliantly exploring life with autism in a very real and gently humorous way. I got to visit the set and talk to our trainees and various crew members supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund too.
I’m also a sucker for a costume drama and Apple TV+’s and The Forge’s Buccaneers, shot in Scotland, has not disappointed. I love how Glasgow can serve as Victorian London and Gilded Age New York in The Buccaneers one day and can be 1960s New York or even Gotham City for Indiana Jones or The Batman on other days. Screen Scotland and the film offices do an incredible job to accommodate and back such high-calibre productions.
My kids also love Wild Child and Black Camel’s crafty animation for Sky, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates.