Published: 03 Apr 2018
Today, Creative Scotland begins an important phase of recruitment for the new Screen Unit.
The Screen Unit is a partnership between Creative Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council. The Scottish Government is providing an additional £10m to support Scotland’s Screen sector, bringing the total funding for screen to £20m in 2018/19.
The first five posts to be advertised are a newly created Executive Director, Screen and Creative Enterprise role who will be responsible for leading the work of the Screen Unit across the partnership. We are also appointing three Screen Officer roles and a Screen Commission Officer to build capacity within the current team of 10 dedicated and experienced Screen staff and enable us to deliver the enhanced activity driven by the unit. A number of further posts will be advertised in the coming weeks.
These new posts will be responsible for driving and achieving increased screen production and business growth with a focus on the major opportunities as yet untapped in Scotland within TV.- Janet Archer, Chief Executive
Since the publication of the Screen Unit Proposal in December 2017 Creative Scotland has also been working with partners on implementation, including developing guidance for new, increased and refreshed funding streams alongside the development of a dedicated brand identity and website.
The Screen Unit proposal sets out a shared vision, and ambitious targets for the Scottish screen sector to double production spend and increase Scottish company growth over a period of five years, from a baseline which has already grown significantly over the past decade.
To support this new level of ambition we have established a new Governance structure including the creation of a Screen Committee of Creative Scotland’s Board. This Committee will oversee the work of the Screen Unit and includes a membership of industry representatives, Screen Unit partner organisation representatives and representatives of the Scottish Government.
The newly expanded £2million Production Growth Fund and refreshed £4million Film Development and Production Fund will go live for applications this week, alongside refreshed funding guidance for feature film and documentary development and production, distribution and exhibition, and markets and festivals.
Guidance for the new £3million Content Development and Production Fund is also being developed, in consultation with stakeholders, and will be launched in May.
A dedicated website is in development to provide a ‘single front door’ for those looking to access Screen funding, support and services. This will go live along with a new identity for the Screen Unit later this year.
Janet Archer, CEO at Creative Scotland said: “The Screen Unit proposals set out a shared vision, and ambitious targets for the Scottish Screen sector to double production spend over a period of five years.
“Work is progressing on the roll-out of this new Unit, with access to new Screen funds from May this year, alongside expanded and refreshed existing funds. Another important step is the recruitment of several new posts, including an Executive Director, Screen and Creative Enterprise who will lead the Screen Unit.
“Crucially, these new posts will be responsible for driving and achieving increased screen production and business growth with a focus on the major opportunities as yet untapped in Scotland within TV.”
The following refreshed Film and TV funds will be open for application later this week:
View the job vacancies on the Creative Scotland website at www.creativescotland.com/jobs.
View the full Screen Unit Proposal published in December 2017.
The Screen Unit Proposal was developed to respond to the recommendations in the Screen Sector Leadership Group’s report (PDF) from January 2017.
Eilidh Walker, Screen Unit Project Communications Officer
Tel +44 330 333 2000 Direct +44 131 523 0019
Mobile +44 7545 402 064 Email Eilidh.Walker@creativescotland.com
