Scottish Screen: A Sigma Films Case Study

In its newest brochure, Scottish Screen has a number of case studies, including one on Sigma Films. Called "Sigma Films Slate Fund Award Case Study," this piece makes mentions of the funding provided to the dynamic independent film production company in Glasgow. The article says that the Slate fund exists to "provide leverage to companies seeking to secure additional finance and consolidate market interest in their slate of projects in development."

It goes on to list some of the films we already know about including Ewan Morrison's Swung (script developed apparently), and The Ordinary which frankly intrigues me the most, as well as two on the backburner but still being worked on, the adaption of some sort of the book by Pelle Sandstrak called "Mr. Tourette & I " as well as one called lol...beers steers & queers (and if this is the western David talked about once wanting to do ...lolol) Personally I believe there are others but this is what the article mentioned and nary a peep on The Last Word. They then of course bring up ADVANCE PARTY II and tiny mention of 'SOON TO BE RELEASED DONKEYS''

DEAR PEOPLE OF SIGMA
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH DONKEYS... *sigh* (Im doing that alot today lol) but oy it surely would be great to know...just sayin :)

Anyway, my understanding on this whole UK funding business is murky at best so I think its better just to hear from the great Gillian Berrie, Sigma's co-founder and managing director who is quoted as saying:

"In order to survive, Scottish filmmakers must not only embrace the industry on an international level, they have to compete and succeed in both the creative and business sides of the arena. Scottish Screen recognizes the challenges we face and is a critical supporter of our endeavors to maintain Scotland's presence in an often turbulent and unpredictable market. Our industry would not survive without that fundamental support."

HEAR HEAR! Whats more confusing to me is that given the statistics and numbers contained in the Scottish Screen brochure ie the film and creative industries are bringing in literally BILLIONS of dollars to the Scottish economy, as well as all the not so dread film tourists, you know wee nothing people like me, who represent huge numbers and dollars to see places in Scotland where films were made and so on WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CUT THIS FUNDING? It all makes absolutely no sense to me, rather akin to shooting yourself in the foot and then saying oho I cant walk right ... anyway, there is also a nice piece on Valhalla Rising, Summer (with Kate Dickie ) and more, well worth a looksee. Hope to get these up on my flickr soon but you can download it here PDF

Triage to Open "Sevilla International Film Festival"

More good news today, thanks to reader Luna who let us know that Danis Tanovic's "Triage" with Colin Farrell and Jamie Sives will be screening at the Sevilla International Film Festival in Spain which runs from November 6-14. Not sure yet what specific time/tickets etc for the film, but very cool news indeed. Thanks again Luna!

More from Set of Eagle

Woefully behind again *sigh*, but there is more today from the set of Eagle of the Ninth in the Highlands of Scotland. All things Foe has received a special report and new photos (also here on this Hungarian website) of the huts used for the film, a bit on a scene that was filmed, and much more.
For all the details, check it out here!

UPDATE: For background on the development of the project, please check this interview with the producer here via Screen Daily

Thanks to Achiltibuie on twitter for the heads up!

New Photos of Jamie Sives in "Triage," New Valhalla Rising Clip, Video of Photocall

This week is a busy one indeed, as the Rome Film Festival is about to kick off with the opening day screening tomorrow of Danis Tanovic's Triage, starring Colin Farrell and the wonderful Jamie Sives. Zapsiter It now has the full press kit photos online for Triage, which include TWO NEW PHOTOS OF JAMIE SIVES with Colin! Yay!


(Be sure to check out larger versions over at ColinFarrellfansite.com too)
As longtime readers will know I ADORE Jamie and have followed the progress of another film he is in called Valhalla Rising which is due to screen next week at the London Film Festival starting on the 22nd. While not of him, you can now see a new clip (Click where it says trailer ITS NOT A TRAILER LOL its the clip lol) from the movie featuring Scots actor Gary Lewis. Finally, there is now video online of the dread press call for the film when it screened at the Venice Film festival; new is this video of Mads Mikkelsen and director Nicholas Refn.

New Video: Ewan McGregor, Eva Green Close Up Filming a Scene from "The Last Word"

UPDATE: Just been told they are filming all week (until the 16th) on Hyndland Street (pic here on flickr) & Rd as well as Lawrence St & Caird

Well I have a feeling this wont last long, so go quick! Three very very brief clips (rehearsals here and here, with the scene below) of Ewan McGregor and Eva Green filming a scene near Kelvingrove Park from David Mackenzie's The Last Word. As seen below, you can see the crew from Sigma, then the camera pans over as Ewan leaps out of the green car (sporting that mask) yanks his bike out the back and Eva out of the car slams door shut, then they walk into some sort of building NO DIALOGUE is heard, but still very thrilling. Each clip is very very short, but still WOOT thank you Claire!

Sunday in the Park with Ewan McGregor and Eva Green for "Last Word"

Check it out! Sunday in the Park with Ewan McGregor and Eva Green.... As seen directly on the Style Scanner blog, Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, Scotland was the setting for a leisurely bike ride for the stars of David Mackenzie's new film...along with BIKE CAM lol I LOVE THIS............>
For more, please check Style Scanner blog, as the photos are theirs, enjoy!

Also, thanks much to ever vigilant EvaGreen web, you can see some additional high res pics of Eva, plus a couple pics of the duo in a car, wearing masks. No idea where they obtained their photos (no sources given) or where the car scene was shot, but check out more in their galleries.
Esp the one where you can clearly see the mike and camera and the crew guys on that special bike, cool :)

UPDATE: You can also see this brief article from the Sunday Herald online (print copy had a few more pics) that showed a couple of extras in a scene where they are fighting over food or something in the streets. The paper noted:

Survivors seemed to be battling for last scraps of food with a wheelie bin overturned and debris strewn across Blythswood Street.

Fists were drawn as two actors fought one another on the ground.It drew a few onlookers as the camera crew captured the latest scenes for the film The Last Word. Police officers were brought in to help with traffic flow as city centre streets were affected by the filming yesterday morning.

But it left a few early-morning motorists somewhat irate, and horns were sounded when they were held up as a camera crew on a trailer headed along Bothwell Street.Officers were trying to keep the streets clear while a car sped along.

First Look: Extras from Eagle of the Ninth (Updated)

As noted before, filming is well underway now in Scotland for Kevin MacDonald's "The Eagle of the Ninth" starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell. We now have our first look of the Pics and warriors played by extras which had been cast recently for the film. Taken on location waiting for filming to start, this is a fierce lot indeed (even with the headphones lol LOVE IT) all sporting their shaved heads and costumes made of "sackcloth, fur and leather." As noted here several times previously, location filming is due in the Achiltibuie region, with some of the locations to include Achilitbuie, Glen Sloy, and Fox Point. UPDATE: Thanks ever so much to Toby again, who updated his blog-CHECK IT OUT HERE- with more photos and a bit more on the filming progress, including overcoming horrible weather and all. He writes too on the stars of the film: "They've kept at it though and I was impressed at the professionalism of the crew and the fact that everyone seemed willing to muck in and help when things got tough. The stars of the film (Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell) had no airs and graces about them and were more than happy to mingle with the extras - they also signed my daughter's book so she went home very happy!"


Production on this new movie is based out Film City Glasgow (home to Sigma films :) Thanks so much to Toby for this photo (please note that is his photo and all credit rights belong to him; more including his beautiful daughter who is an extra can be found here)