Global Glasgow

Most of us just go to the cinema and watch the movie, but do we ever consider those behind the camera, behind the sound desk at post-production, or those telling the actors what to do. 
All together, without the jobs of the Director, the cameraman, the cinematographer, the lighting engineer etc. a movie would never be successful. 

And many people who do these jobs are from Glasgow. So here are a few people from Glasgow that have made an impact in the world of film and have created a "Global Glasgow".

Lynne Ramsay

Lynne Ramsay is a director/producer/screenwriter/
cinematographer (some people can just do it all...) and has been most well known for her films "Ratcatcher", "Morvern Callar" and "We need to talk about Kevin". Her films mainly try to focus on the images and powerful music rather than using dialogue to make a point. Also, Ramsay's films often focus on the issues of grief and death, so not films to have a joyful family night in with...

Lynne Ramsay has definitely made an impact in Glasgow film and also global film. This can be seen with Ramsay in 2007, featuring at number 12 in the Guardian Unlimited's list of the world's 40 best directors working today... Impressive!

Here's the trailer to "We need to talk about Kevin".
Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLRgAe2jLaw

Mark Millar

Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer... Yes, I know he isn't a director etc. but he is the writer of comic books like "Wanted" and "Kick-Ass" which have been made into very successful feature films.

Millar has been nominated for four Eisner Awards and two Eagle Awards, but not only that, he was recognised by the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to film and literature... not bad!

I'm actually going to a lecture soon where Mr Mark Millar himself will be talking at, so that should be exciting as I believe that Mark Millar, even though he is a comic book writer, has impacted film dramatically around the world.



Here's a clip to "Kick-Ass", adapted from Millar's comic book.
Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFpWpkxsVI8

So there you are, "Global Glasgow". It is so clear that we can see these two Glaswegian's have done amazing work and have impacted the global film scene. Obviously there are many more Glaswegian people who have made an impact in film not only in Glasgow but globally, however, if I was to talk about everyone who has made an impact, I would be writing for weeks. 

"Global Glasgow"... I think it could catch on!

Film makers... Mon tae Glasgow!

James Bond in Glencoe

When we think of film, we often think of the glamour of LA and the massive film studios that come with it. But other countries are starting to make an impact in film. Like Scotland! We've seen World War Z filmed in Glasgow's very own George Square and James Bond's Skyfall filmed in Glencoe. 

But, to be honest, Scotland we can do so much better, if only we had the resources. I think not only Scotland but specifically Glasgow has definitely been left behind in the movie race and it's time that this should change.

Where's our Studio?!

With Glasgow specifically becoming a hot spot for recent big, blockbuster movies, it's unbelievable that we still don't have any film studios. I mean you would think this would be a given considering our unreliable weather. But, no. 

Pinewood Studios in England

This also means with the poor film production facilities in Glasgow, many media/production/film studies graduates struggle for jobs in Scotland so have to move down south in order to have a chance in the industry like to Pinewood Studios in England. So this pretty much means that we are losing out on the income and expertise of film makers as we simply don't have the facilities that they need to make a film.

However, there is a small light at the end of the tunnel! Yes, Glasgow is set to have a film studio complex due to be completed in 2017 so for people like me, who are hoping to work in the film industry, this couldn't come at a more perfect time (it happens to be the year I'm due to graduate). I'm not saying that having Glasgow film studios will stop me moving to sunny LA or London but at least I'll feel conflicted about it...


"Mon' tae Glasgae"

Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland's Western Highlands

If Glasgow can be turned into Philadelphia for World War Z, then it can be turned into... pretty much anything really. Glasgow actually has so much potential for filming like for a city, central Glasgow can be used and for old stunning architecture, places like Glasgow University could be used. So why don't we actively advertise not only Glasgow's potential but Scotland's potential! I'm not just being biased because I live here but Scotland is a beautiful country with landscapes to die for with a mixtures of lochs and amazing colours spread throughout the hills.


So Scotland, whilst you have shown that you definitely can cater to film makers needs. But Glasgow, you seem to have fallen behind the movie craze and now its time to grab film makers by the hand and show them that we can become a film capital. You can change Glasgow to look like any city in the world and we will soon have the film studios so that any movie you can think of can be filmed right here. So, why not?

C'mon tae Glasgow and we'll show you how it's done.

Choice, Is there one?

In Glasgow there are only two main cinemas, the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) and Cineworld. That's it. So do we have a choice when we decide to go to the cinema. Don't get me wrong there are other cinemas in Glasgow like Odeon but this is less well known and hasn't been established as long. With Glasgow losing cinemas like the previous cinema that is now the O2 ABC (a music venue) is it only a matter of time before we lose cinema from Glasgow all together? I hope not.

Glasgow's Cineworld Multiplex.

Location

The two major cinemas in Glasgow are almost right next to each other just off of Sauchiehall street. For me these two cinemas are quite a walk away from any main train station, I mean it's not that far but it's not that close either, so this is a major disadvantage as train and bus travel are the two main means of transport to get into central Glasgow at ease.

This is especially annoying when you go to see a late night movie and don't actually live in central Glasgow. By "late night" movie I mean 8 o'clock, due to the location of the cinemas in Glasgow I need to have enough time after the movie to walk to the train station and catch the last train home. By walk I mean run, and by catch I mean miss the train completely and having to embarrassingly end the night by begging my parents to pick me up. So, yeah that kind of leaves a lasting impression running through the Glasgow streets at night and now having your friends refuse to go to the cinema if it's not during daylight... Whit?!


Choice

The GFT, the Glasgow Film Theatre

The lack of choice of cinema in Glasgow also impacts the type of movies that are shown in Glasgow. We have cineworld, a gigantic multiplex showing all the latest blockbusters and then we have the Glasgow Film Theatre, which is really appealing to a much smaller market, showing from art house films to classics to independents. 

Fair enough this means a lot of film is covered between the two cinemas but with cineworld being a kind of like a faceless organisation and the GFT really only appealing to a small market, is there no balance? Is there no in between the two where we get a mixture of film all in the one place?


So with living in Glasgow must we travel to the outskirts of the city in order to go to the cinema? The answer should be no, but with the poor location of all cinemas in Glasgow and the choice of film we'll actually see, it makes the outskirts look more and more appealing. By no means am I stomping on Glasgow's cinemas but I feel the placing and choice of cinema could be greatly improved in the future.

A Funny Thing Called Film

We often feel like J-Law
when at the cinema - shocked

Film is a very funny thing. It's odd how we get so emotionally connected to a movie... Don't lie we've all been there, sitting at the cinema, trying to hide the fact we've "got something in our eye". Well this connection we get is the main reason that film is so successful today, from feeling sympathy to grief to happiness, going to the cinema can be an emotional roller-coaster. 

Well this funny thing we call film is a big deal today, everyone has a connection with it, as everyone has a favourite film whether it be a classic or a modern sci-fi blockbuster, even if you "ain't a big fan" or "you have better things to do in your life", we are all influenced by the film industry (we are, don't deny it). 

So if you are a super fan of film or a film novice, it doesn't matter! Welcome to my blog! I'll be focusing on the Glasgow film scene and how Glasgow itself has influenced the world of film... "How has Glasgow influenced film?" 

Well stay tuned to my blog " Rebecca's Rants" to see how the Glasgow film scene has definitely had an influence on global film, and how Glasgow can improve it's film scene. Also, I'll be ranting about the things that happen to us in cinema... you know, people talking, eating loud, expensive food etc. 


So sit back, keep your arms and legs in the vehicle at all times, and let's get ready to RANT!