Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Explained

Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance
Size:190px
Abbreviation:GFA
Formation:2011
Type:Non Profit Organisation
Purpose:"Supports and promotes professionals working in the film and television industry in Glasgow"
Region Served:Glasgow, Scotland
Leader Title:Director
Leader Name:Chris Quick
Leader Title2:Deputy Director
Leader Name2:Vacant
Website:glasowfilm.co.uk

The Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance (GFA) is an online directory listing individuals and companies who are associated with film and television production in and around the city of Glasgow in Scotland. It was founded in 2011 by Scottish actor Andrew O'Donnell and Chris Quick, a Scottish film editor.[1]

History

The idea of the directory came about during the filming of In Search of La Che when Quick felt there was no central place to find professional talent both in front and behind the camera.[2] Soon after filming finished, he discussed the idea with O'Donnell and the pair launched what would become the Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance on 31 October 2011.

In 2012, the alliance was invited by Stephen Paton of Production Attic to form what would become the Glasgow Creative Network which hosts networking events for media professionals in Glasgow.

A supporter of independent film, Quick led a campaign to get the British Academy Scotland New Talent Awards recognised by IMDB stating that 'they represented the best of emerging Scottish talent'. The campaign was successful and the awards were introduced to the site later that year. He later repeated this success with the inclusion of the Virgin Media Short Awards after the first double win by Scottish director John McPhail.[3] [4]

In 2014, Quick and O'Donnell wrote an open letter on behalf of the independent filmmakers of Glasgow to the director of BAFTA Scotland, Jude MacLaverty. In the letter, the pair asked the film body to consider a proposal of including three new awards at the annual ceremony aimed at low budget / independent filmmakers.[5] On 28 October it was announced that the proposal would be placed on the agenda of the next Bafta Scotland Committee meeting in December 2014.[6] [7]

On 2 April 2015, the BAFTA Scotland committee released their response to the proposals put forward by the Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance.[8]

In March 2017, O'Donnell and Quick both signed the open letter to the Arts Council, England, objecting to the organisations decision not to renew the visa for American born actor Tyler Collins.[9]

In May 2019, O'Donnell announced his departure from the organisation and was succeeded by Quick with Gary McLellan taking on the role of deputy.[10]

On 31 December 2021, McLellan stood down as Deputy Director.[11]

Film funding

The alliance has financially contributed small amounts to various films in and around Glasgow.[12] [13] Below is a list of some projects it has supported.

Directors & Deputy Directors

Directors

width=8px Imagewidth=200px NameTenureDuration
1 31 October 2011 - 30 June 2019
2 1 July 2019 - Incumbent

Deputy Directors

width=8px Imagewidth=200px NameTenureDuration
1 31 October 2011 - 30 June 2019
2 1 July 2019 - 31 December 2021

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.glasgowfilm.co.uk Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Info Column
  2. http://www.moviescramble.co.uk/2014/08/27/chris-quick-part-2/ Movies Scramble: An Interview with Chris Quick Part 2
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4109795/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm Chris Quick IMDB Biography & Trivia
  4. http://www.hdwarrior.co.uk/2014/10/28/hoping-for-new-categories-at-bafta-scotland/ HD Warrior Blog
  5. http://www.glasgowfilm.co.uk/GFA%20Open%20Letter%20to%20BAFTA.pdf Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Open Letter to Bafta Scotland
  6. http://www.allmediascotland.com/media-releases/73816/media-release-glasgow-filmmakers-alliance-hoping-for-awards-proposal-success/ Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Media Release
  7. News: Filmmakers in awards category call . 31 October 2014 . 31 October 2014 . Glasgow Evening Times.
  8. Web site: BAFTA Scotland response to Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Proposals . 1 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150701044717/http://www.glasgowfilm.co.uk/BAFTA_GFA_Response_Letter.pdf . 1 July 2015 . dead .
  9. http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2017/03/18/open-letter-to-arts-council-england/ Open Letter to English Arts Council
  10. News: New chief for Glasgow film unit . 10 May 2019 . 1 July 2019 . Glasgow Herald Newspaper.
  11. http://www.glasgowfilm.co.uk/gary-mclellan-to-step-down-as-deputy-director/ GFA News Gary McLellan to step down as Deputy Director of Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance
  12. https://www.indiegogo.com/individuals/358934/campaigns Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Indiegogo Profile
  13. https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/glasgowfilm Glasgow Filmmakers Alliance Kickstarter Profile
  14. Web site: Frank Web Series Official Site . 1 July 2015 . 12 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141112063502/http://immersive.sh/frankseries/eC0ML_ifX . dead .