Capital a reel shooting star in record year

LIGHTS, camera, and record-breaking action – it was revealed today that 2009 was the best ever year for income from the film and television industry in Edinburgh.

While the city continues to battle the impact of the recession, a booming number of productions is being attracted to the streets of the Capital.

Edinburgh Film Focus (EFF) said the "direct spend from filming", as well as the number of days' filming in the region, had reached a record high of 4.2 million – a 34 per cent increase on the previous year.

Meanwhile, the number of days spent filming in and around the Capital increased from 997 in 2008 to 1100 in 2009.

The EFF received more than 515 inquiries from producers and location managers in 2009, with a total of 339 productions filmed in the area.

Among the highest-profile productions last year were feature films Outcast, Imogne, and The Wicker Tree, and TV programmes including the Garrow's Law: Tales from the Old Bailey, Antiques Roadshow at Hopetoun and Abbotsford, Celebrity Ghost Hunt, Come Dine With Me, and Got to Dance.

Film commissioner at Edinburgh Film Focus, Ros Davis, said: "Competition for filming locations around the UK is fierce but with the quality package of the Edinburgh city region locations and our experience of filmmaking requirements, we were able to attract big European productions.

"I suppose we were all a bit concerned that the recession was going to see a downturn in filming, so to be able to come to the end of it and say 'that was the best year ever', we were slightly surprised.

"It makes me feel very optimistic. We know that Edinburgh and the Lothians is a great product and we are just very happy with the results."

Economic development leader, councillor Tom Buchanan, welcomed the news.

He said: "Edinburgh Film Focus does a great job in marketing the region to filmmakers and, together with the council and the police, has been working hard to ensure that Edinburgh remains a quality, film-friendly location.

"These figures indicate just how successful their efforts have been and show that Edinburgh punches well above its weight as a filming destination."

He added: "Filming brings huge benefit to our local economy. Not only do our businesses benefit whilst productions are in town, but each film, television production, photo shoot, or documentary which EFF attracts to the city plays a vital role in promoting the culture, people and beauty of the area to the wider world."

FILMED HERE IN 2009

Films

Outcast, starring James Nesbitt, Kate Dickie, James Cosmo

Filmed in March 2009. Locations: Sighthill, Muirhouse, Dalkeith, Scottish Mining Museum and Royal Mile.

Imogne, starring Catherine Frot and Lambert Wilson

Filmed in May/June 2009. Locations: Abercromby Place, Heriot Row, William Street , Neidpath Castle.

Cosi, starring Sarah Brightman and Richard E Grant.

Filmed in June/July 2009. Locations: Manderston House, near Duns.

The Wicker Tree, starring Brittania Nicol, Henry Garrett, Graham McTavish and Jacqueline Leonard

Filmed in June/July 2009. Locations: Mansion houses and grounds in Midlothian and East Lothian, Haddington, Dalkeith, Crichton Castle, North Middleton and Temple.

TV Drama

Whiteout, Dani's House, Garrow's Law

Documentaries

History of Scotland, Vet School

Commercials

LG TV, T-mobile

Light entertainment

Antiques Roadshow, Celebrity Ghost Hunt, Come Dine With Me, Got to Dance