DOTTY COMMUNICATIONS

Allmediascotland.com today reports on Scottish Screen's appointment of not one, but two Communication Officers, one hailing from the voluntary sector, the other from an insurance company. Neither comes with any experience of film, TV or the media, which is maybe just as well, because it's the devil's game and possibly the reason why Ken Hay's all out to set up schemes aimed at children, more easily influenced in the ways of TV. Why they need a matching pair isn't revealed, but let's hope the new girls can improve things, starting with the SS website, which makes no mention of their new, publicly-funded jobs - pointed out on this blog ages ago.

The same item goes on to say - in a reversal of recent statements, Scottish Screen's mission is to create “a first-class Scottish film industry that can compete on the world stage".

I'm having one of those 'please won't you make up your mind' moments. For a nanosecond.

If they're so intent on a first class film industry in Scotland how come Head of Production, Claire Chapman, is busy telling Scottish producers not to come to her looking for finance unless they have all the other pieces in place? Would she say that to a US outfit looking to shoot in Scotland? After all, didn't she provide a handy bit on the side when George Clooney arrived in town with The Jacket?

With these new appointments and two more to come - I'm sure flights to Nice from Glasgow are getting busy, despite the fact that for the first time SS won't be setting up on the Croisette.

Questions:

How many SS staffers can we expect to see sunning themselves on the terrace of the Majestic?

Will there be an announcement of the first Fast Forward feature, promised by Frank 'Pieman' McAveety way back in 2004 and, after eighteen months dev, with Content crashed, BBC execs departed, new CEO at SS, still undecided?

Will Andrea Arnold lift the Palme D'Or with Red Road?

Answers:

At least 20.
No.
Doubt it.

Now how much communication did that take? And you got it for free.