Programme

Mainhouse programme

Session 1: Stepping Up The Ladder

Time: 10:00 – 11:00

The recent growth in the volume of factual production in Scotland has brought challenges as well as opportunities. It highlights the need for developing entry level TV talent, and also making sure that those already in the industry can be supported into more senior roles. Our panel brings together industry, education and training organisations to discuss the best ways to develop talent for 21st century production.

Chair

Aasmah Mir

Panellists

Seetha Kumar, ScreenSkills
Jeanott Hutcheson, Raise the Roof
Claire Scally, TRC Media
Dario Sinforiani, Stirling University
Scott Donaldson, Creative Scotland

Session 2: Shoot for the Credit

Time: 11:00 – 12:00

Scotland has seen major growth in the factual production sector, as existing companies expand and significant new players enter the scene. Can this be the moment where Scotland grows companies of scale with long term ambitions to develop as major forces at UK and international level? What are the barriers to achieving this? Join our powerhouse panel of senior executives as they ponder possible futures.

Chair

Aasmah Mir

Panellists

Nick Curwin, Matisse Media
Natalie Humphreys, Storyboard Studios
Nicole Kleeman, Firecrest Films
David Mortimer, STV Productions
Michael McAvoy, Two Rivers Media

Session 3: Telling Our Stories

Time: 12:00 – 13:00

The rise of Netflix has seen blockbuster documentaries draw both audiences and headlines with true crime series such as The Jinx, Making a Murderer and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The new BBC Scotland channel has provided a platform for emerging talent with a range of single doc commissions.

But what about the space in between? What are the new directions of travel for documentary, and are UK broadcasters prepared to be bold about form and content? And can docs on digital platforms attract audiences and make money? Join our panel of producers and commissioners across broadcast and digital to find out.

Chair

Harry Bell

Panellists

Hamish Ferguson, BBC Documentaries
Adam Gee, Red Bull Media House
Georgina Cammallari, Freelance
Louise Thornton, BBC Scotland

Network Lunch

Time: 13:00 – 14:00

Focus on Factual Awards

Time: 14:00 – 14:45

Awards ceremony for our student short film competition, Focus on Factual. Find out who will take home the winning award in the Short and Ultra-Short categories.

Session 4: Peak Performance

Time: 14:45 – 15:45

For the Scottish factual industry to grow, companies need to win the lucrative prime time commissions that gain revenue and raise profile. STV Productions’ Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and IWC’s Location, Location, Location are long running Scottish success stories in peak, but what are the new ideas that will win more business, and are commissioners prepared to make bold decisions in the crucial battleground of evening viewing? With the inexorable rise in on demand viewing, how much does peak matter? Two of Scotland’s biggest hitters join fresh commissioning talent to discuss.

Chair

Muslim Alim

Panellists

Mark Downie, IWC Media
Craig Hunter, STV Productions
Beejal-Maya Patel, BBC Documentaries
Will Rowson, Channel 4
Kate Morey, Channel 5

Refreshments

Time: 15:45 – 16:15

Session 5: What’s the Creative Hub 4?

Time: 16:15 – 17-15

Session info: As Channel 4’s Glasgow Creative Hub opens its doors, we talk to the duo leading the Glasgow team, and explore their priorities and approach in the Hub’s first year.

Chair

Aasmah Mir

Panellists

Jo Street, Channel 4
Deborah Dunnett, Channel 4

After show drinks reception

Time: 17:15 – 18:00

Raise a glass to Focus on Scotland 2019.

Alternative programme

Masterclass 1: Pitching: Shoot or Kill?

Time and Location: 11:00 – 12:00, Workhouse

Presented by: Nicola Lees

Do you want to know how factual TV/documentary ideas are developed? Do you want to give your idea the best chance of getting commissioned? Nicola Lees has developed hundreds of factual TV proposals, and has been involved in successfully developing and pitching to channels such as BBC, Sky Arts, TLC, Science Channel, Discovery and Real Stories on YouTube.

In this intensive masterclass you will learn how to: interpret a brief, generate ideas, develop an idea, write a proposal and pitch an idea in a fast-paced, interactive workshop. Bring pens, paper and get ready to brainstorm ideas in response to a real commissioning brief.

*Pre-registration required for this masterclass

Masterclass 2: Documentary Storytelling

12:00 – 13:00, Playhouse

Presented by: Peter Dale

Documentaries come in all shapes and sizes; but they all have a set of organising principles that are fundamental, easy to grasp and vital in helping you make sense of your idea. If you know what they are and how to use them, the problems you encounter throughout the film-making process will be more easily solved.

In this talk Peter explains the key elements of a good documentary story, how they work and why they matter – from the moment you start production to the final day of the edit.

Commissioner Speed Dating

Workhouse, 13:00 – 13:30

*Pre-registration required for this session

Perfect Pitch

Workhouse, 14:45 – 16:00

Students from all over Scotland pitch their ideas for 30 minute documentaries aimed at the BBC Scotland channel. After impressing our panel of industry judges, the student with the best pitch will win a development session with one of the panel, who will advise on how to take the idea further.

Masterclass 3: Seeing the Light

14:45 – 16:15, Playhouse

Presented by: Jonathan Harrison

This lighting masterclass features the latest and greatest, innovative and creative LED lighting tools to make your documentary and drama shooting experience fast, efficient and high quality driven. With a live model on stage you will see how to utilise these tools in a way that will help you understand how you can create high quality moody and textured images fast and efficiently as well as learn many important core lighting skills, tricks and tips that will last you a life time.

Masterclass 4: Pitching: Shoot or Kill?

16:15 – 17:15, Workhouse

Presented by: Nicola Lees

Do you want to know how factual TV/documentary ideas are developed? Do you want to give your idea the best chance of getting commissioned? Nicola Lees has developed hundreds of factual TV proposals, and has been involved in successfully developing and pitching to channels such as BBC, Sky Arts, TLC, Science Channel, Discovery and Real Stories on YouTube.

In this intensive masterclass you will learn how to: interpret a brief, generate ideas, develop an idea, write a proposal and pitch an idea in a fast-paced, interactive workshop. Bring pens, paper and get ready to brainstorm ideas in response to a real commissioning brief.

*Pre-registration required for this masterclass