Slideshow

Fraser Coull

Fraser was born and raised in a little village called Langbank just outside of Glasgow. He was told by his primary school teacher that he had an overactive imagination which he always took as a compliment. From a young age he would draw comic books and write stories of superheroes taking a keen interest in Doctor Who and Spider-Man from a young age. After a stint at the BBC in Glasgow  Fraser went to James Watt College and studied HND Television Operations and Productions before forming his production company Silly Wee Films. In 2005 he wrote and directed his first short film, "Night is Day - Dusk" before following it up with two seasons of "Night is Day" in 2006 and 2008.  Fraser is currently shooting his debut feature film "Night is Day - The Movie", which we just talked about. Fraser's hopes that "Night is Day" receives the attention it deserves so he can find proper funding for his projects in the future and work with as many great people as possible. I think we all wish him that.

'Night is Day: The Movie '

'Night is Day: The Movie' - that`s the title of the newest Scottish independent film coming in 2011. It`s Scotland's first ever super hero feature film and it is set in Glasgow.
Jason Mackenzie is a twenty-something Glaswegian who spends his days keeping the city of Glasgow safe, using the power of lightning and the gift of foresight. He is a hero hidden in shadow; he is a rumour, an urban myth. Jason has battled ancient demons, hooded cults and corrupt businessmen risking his safety and sacrificing his chances of genuine human connections.
The main villain is the Caillech, an ancient creature portrayed in legend as wielding an unstoppable hammer, bent on wreaking havoc after centuries of exile. Jason has to save Lena Dwyre, a medical student at university in Glasgow who seems to have an uncanny connection with the Caillech.
The cast is mostly new actors except Colin McCredie who we have already talked about. It is supported by the Artist Media Ltd which is always a good sign. Hopefully it will be the first step for many young Scottish talents. It is created by Fraser Coull who is the one behind the series with the same name. 
Here is a footage from behind the scenes to tease your interest:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baa-xlwJ7wM

Artist Media Ltd

Artist Media Ltd is Scotland's latest multimedia and video production company from the thriving TV and film industry in Glasgow. It includes include live event filming, music video production and corporate/ promotional video production. Using the latest Hi-def technology available with a diverse camera crew they are able to produce the highest quality video and audio in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
With their wide range of multimedia production services that they offer they are also involved in film production in Scotland including script writing, editing and visual effects.
 Here`s a video that shows their work in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTES3f5iFWw 

Colin McCredie

Colin McCredie is a Scottish actor best known for his role as DC Stuart Fraser in the ITV1 Drama, Taggart.
He is another proof that the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama creates great artists. He trained there and graduated in 1993 at the age of twenty-one.
He has done several parts in films, televison and theatre.
He has been in a few plays set in Glasgow like the Ching-room and Lysistrata.
We will see him in one of the hottest films in Scotland, Night is Day - also set in Glasgow.
I am really expecting to see him in the film adaptation of Irwin Welsh`s Excstasy which was announced in 2008. I am sure he is gonna proove his talent in this film. I know I am getting off topic with this but I strongly recommend the book.

David Shrigley

This grumpy-looking man is called David Shrigley and he is actually quite an artist. He is a British  visual artist, but fortunately for us, we can count him in as part of the Glasgow Film Scene since he graduated from Glasgow School of Art and keeps living and working in Glasgow (on film related things of course).
He is best known for his humorous released in softcover books or postcard packs.
He is connected to films through several experiences. He directed the video for Blur`s 'Good song' and also for Bonnie 'Prince' Billy`s 'Agnes, Queen of Sorrow'. He also co-directed the animate-comissioned film with award winning director Chris Shepherd called Who I Am and What I Want based on Shrigley`s book with the same title. This multi-talented guy is also quite involved in music as well not only as a director, but we are only focusing on the film side of his achievements.

Glasgow Film Festiival

Glasgow Film Festival, the fastest growing film event in the UK, is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Scottish cinema to film lovers. It started in 2005 and now is in its sixth year.GFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals within the festival, workshops and the chance to meet filmmakers from Scotland and around the world. Interesting fact is that each year there are different retrospectives on different old movie stars.
For example in 2010 the opening gala of the festival featured Jean-Pierre Jeunet`s latest film. Other guests included Peter Mullan ( we have already mentioned him about him), James Earl Jones and the cast from the Scottish classic Gregory`s girl. Oscar nominated Crazy Heart was also shown prior to the general release date. This year included a Cary Grant retrospective, as well as strands focusing on Japanese Cinema, Fashion and Music and film.

And btw, I for those who might not know some of the names mentioned above, you should learn them. I am sure you will appreciate their work.

NEDS

 NEDS is a 2010 Scottish film directed by Peter Mullan. It won best film at the San Sebastian Film Festival in September 2010. NEDS stands for Non-Educated Delinquents. It`s a “personal but not autobiographical” (according to Mullan) coming-of-age story set in 1970s Glasgow.
It traces back the development of a young kid with an angry alcoholic father and a hard-case older brother. Being a smart and intelligent young teenager doesn`t save him from this kind of environment. It unfluences his life majorly leading him to the path of the neds.
The film is brilliantly directed. Peter Mullan showed us the harsh reality of the neds, the reason behind their behavior and the lack of support that has led to their decline. He also managed to get a terrific and even scary performances from his cast, especially from the lead actor Conor McCarron.
Here`s the trailer which I believe will make you watch the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjnNdLMKmIw

Cineworld

Cineworld is one of Glasgow`s main landmarks. Being 203 feet (62 meters) high the building is currently the tallest cinema in the world. Cineworld Glasgow has 18 screens over 9 levels, and can accommodate more than 4,300 people. Respect.

Cineworld opened in September, 2001. Originally owned by French businessmen, it had a different name. Then is became part of the Cineworld chain. It entered the Guiness book of Records as the world`s tallest cinema. In 2000 however, during the cinema's construction, the building design came under heavy criticism from the architecture community. The building was designated the "Carbuncle of the Year" for its poor design choices and contrast with the surrounding area. Oh well, no big deal, better a little infamous than absolutely unknown, right ? :)

James McAvoy

James Andrew McAvoy was born on 20 April 1979 in Port Glasgow. He attended a Catholic school since he was brought that way by his family. He even briefly consoidered joining the Catholic Priesthood. But apparently he found his through calling - forunately for all film fans, and graduated form The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2000. And even though he was acting even before that it gave him the necessary boost to become the star he is now. James McAvoy`s frst roles were in The Near Room in 1995 and then in Regeneration in 1997. His first big break was in the miniseries Band if Brothers, produced by Steven Spielberg - and we all now that`s always a golden ticket. He appeared in a few series for BBC and other major channels, receiving nomination for British comedy award. Afetr that he earned the chance to star along with some well-acclaimed acotrs like Paul Bettany in Wimbledon and Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland. He appeared in the Cronicles of Narnia - in my opinion a film that doesn`t deserve a serious actor like him in it, but everybody has to bend a little in the name of the big goal. The films that were box-office hits and good parts for him as well were Becoming Jane, Wanted and especially Atonment. Now he is starring the new X-men Movie and the animated adaptation of Romeo and Juliet - Gnomeo and Juliet :D. All these roles build his image as a serious actor, new hope for Hollywood.

Gerard Butler

Gerard James Butler was born in Paisley on the 13 of November 1969. He spent the first few years of his life in Montreal before the family returned to live in Scotland.
He studied at the University of Glasgow for a lawyer - something he could have been really good at from what we saw in Law Abiding Citizen. Before his final year he went to California, but that definetely wasn`t the start of his career. Between the several jobs he changed his main activity was drinking heavily from his words. He even got arrested for drinking - related conduct. Later he admitted that he was out of control and this way of life seemed justified by the fact that he was young. After that he went back to finish his degree, but soon after he did he got fired firm his job as a trainee lawyer - something quite rare. He got pretty infamous for that in the lawyer circles in Glasgow but apparently that wasn`t his path. The touch of destiny was a stage production of Trainspotting at the Edinburgh festival that inspired him to pursuit an acting career. He moved to London the very next day and so it began.
His first serious part was Ewan McGregor`s character in the stage adaptation of Trainspotting - for those of you who don`t believe in destiny I think that`s a good example. :) A few small film roles followed. He got the part of Dracula in Dracula 2000 - a major breakthrough that helped him get the part in the Phantom of the Opera - in my opinion his first great part. His real breakthrough though that made him a superstar is the part of Leonidas in 300 according the most people. I personally didn`t like the movie that much although he was quite good in it. After that his fame has only increased making him on of people`s favourite actors throughout the world.
My favourite part is the one in Law Abiding Citizen - I strongly recommend it. But enough about me, let`s hear your opinions. :)