ReelScotland Blethers ReelScotland

This episode features a conversation with Steve Carson, Head of Multiplatform Commissioning at BBC Scotland, a role which sees him work across TV, radio and digital.

Originally I was keen to talk to Steve about the first year of the BBC Scotland channel, to find out more about the approach to programming on there as well as on BBC Scotland’s other TV channels, radio stations and digital platforms, but then Covid-19 hit.

It’s obviously a challenging time for everyone in Scotland’s creative sector, so when the chance arose to talk to Steve, I was interested to hear how BBC Scotland is responding to lockdown.

But I also wanted to chat about some of the other decision making that takes place away from lockdown, about dramas like Guilt and comedies like Scot Squad, about some of the great documentaries that are on iPlayer right now and about where things might be heading in the coming year.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reelscotland.substack.com

This episode features a conversation with Scottish actor and screenwriter, Andrea Gibb, whose latest film, Elizabeth is Missing, is currently on BBC iPlayer.

We discussed her move from acting to writing, her cult 2004 film, Dear Frankie, and how Elizabeth is Missing - produced and filmed in Scotland - came to be. We also discussed the need for a Scottish film studio, just before it was announced that Jason Connery is planning to open one in Edinburgh.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reelscotland.substack.com

It's been a wee while since the last episode of the podcast, but life caught up with me. I hope to release at least one new episode each month, so keep an eye on your podcast feed.




This episode I caught up with Edinburgh-based filmmaker Mark Cousins as his 2018 film, The Eyes of Orson Welles, comes to BBC iPlayer. We recorded this interview in 2018, I just wasn't sure when it was best to release it - with the film coming to UK television it seemed like the perfect time. 




Hopefully the episode is still there when you hear this episode, but it's available on streaming services and DVD if not - please try and catch it if you're a Welles fan.




We also discussed Mark's approach to filmmaking and his time on the BBC's Moviedrome TV show.




A few things to note about this episode, Mark recommends a Hungarian film, which unless I’m mistaken is called A Woman Captured, while the top secret project turned out to be the 16 hour Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema, which is due to be completed later in 2019.





This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reelscotland.substack.com

In this episode I have a blether with writer/director/actor Matthew Holness about the dark Possum, and some of the cast of the bright and breezy British comedy, Patrick.

In this episode I mention the brilliant Scarfolk, head to https://scarfolk.blogspot.com/ for more on that world.

Find out more about the Radiophonic Workshop over at https://twitter.com/radiophonicwork

Follow this podcast on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reelscotland and Facebook at www.facebook.com/reelscotland or you can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reelscotland.substack.com

In this episode I have a blether with director Joe Dante!

Joe's a bit of a hero of mine - I still remember sitting in the cinema watching Gremlins 2: The New Batch and I love Matinee - so it was great to talk to him about his love of old movies and his superb website, Trailers from Hell.

Find out more over at http://www.trailersfromhell.com

I also recommend subscribing to the following podcasts:

The Projection Booth: http://projection-booth.blogspot.com/

Pure Cinema Podcast: http://thepinksmoke.com/purecinemapodcast.html

The Twilight Zone Podcast: http://thetwilightzonepodcast.com/

Follow this podcast on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/reelscotland and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/reelscotland or you can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reelscotland.substack.com

This episode goes behind-the-scenes of Time Triak, the latest film from Edinburgh documentary filmmaker, Finlay Pretsell.

There's some great advice in here from Finlay on making documentaries, and about what it took to get Time Trial to screen.

Find out more: https://www.timetrialfilm.com/

Keep an eye on the ReelScotland's Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/reelscotland or http://www.facebook.com/reelscotland to find out who I’ve been speaking to. You can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reelscotland.substack.com