Welcome to the Film Crew Friendly Site
There is an exciting and unique opportunity for all accommodation providers in Moray, Speyside, Aviemore and Loch Ness coming up. The Scottish Highlands & Islands Film Commission (SHIFC) and 4TM services based in Forres have teamed up to develop a scheme aimed at accommodating film crews.
On the 1st of October a workshop will be held to inform the tourism industry how to benefit from being “film crew friendly” and to launch a pilot scheme to put the area at the forefront of the working with film and TV productions in the UK . The scheme will explain to the accommodation sector what film and TV productions require and, if its appropriate, help promote their business.
Trish Shorthouse of SHIFC says “there is a big demand from film crews looking for accommodation that is suitable. Film crews have different requirements compared with the average person or business executive, and they may stay in an area for anything from a few days to several months bringing valuable economic benefit to communities. This is a great chance for businesses in the Highlands to have an advantage over those elsewhere in Scotland and the UK.”
4TM services is to implement the Film Crew Friendly Tourism scheme on behalf of SHIFC using its thirty years of experience working with the film and tourism industries. Rene Looper (who is a known and experienced figure in the Moray/Speyside Tourism industry) and Geoff Wilcock, both founders of 4TM services, will be responsible for the implementation of this scheme.
VisitScotland, who started the Film Crew Welcome scheme a few years ago currently don’t have the resources to progress the scheme but are happy to endorse this initiative which will build on the research and development which was carried out.
On the 1st of October, businesses can attend a free half day workshop at Horizon Scotland in Forres. Find out more at www.filmcrewfriendly.com where the details of the scheme will be explained or phone Horizon Scotland on 01309 678100.
Rene says, “we’re very excited about this unique partnership as we’re also cooperating with other neighbouring area’s which really makes sense. We also have some interesting speakers lined up from the film industry who will give the businesses an insight into this potentially huge market. We also have some interesting speakers lined up from the film industry who will give the businesses an insight into this potentially huge market. We've already sent out an invitation to all accommodation providers listed on http://www.greaterspeyside.com/ and already have a good selection of accommodation providers registered. As production coordinators are often looking to accommodate film crews at different types of accommodation (ranging from caravan parks, self catering, B&B, Guesthouses and Hotels) it's essential that we get everyone involved as this will bring a lot of economic benefit to the whole area."
Sharon Howitt, an experienced and knowlegeable Production Co-ordinator of films like ‘The Jacket’, ‘One Last Chance’ and ‘Moray’ together with Mick Ratman, President of the Guild of Location Managers will be sharing their experiences and inform us on the opportunities to get involved with this scheme.
The workshop will be held on Wednesday the 1st of October from 2-5 pm at the Horizon Scotland building on the Enterprise park in Forres.
Please register for this free event here.
(Thursday the 2nd of October no longer available)
With special thanks to:
http://www.greaterspeyside.com/
http://www.4tm-services.com/
http://www.scotfilm.org/
http://www.tuminds.com
Contact phone: 01309 678100