Local talent

whilst cock-a-hoop that the commoditisation of high-profile film rakes in £125k per day for the powers that be (Your report, 7 September) spare a thought for all of the other film-makers in Scotland who consistently fall under the “high-profile” radar whilst producing amazing films on miniscule budgets with no government money.

My point is this, any agency can pour money (our money) into a project where the actors and crew have a significant track record.

What I want to see is some bravery and foresight from Creative Scotland to back projects that are bold and exciting and don’t have a Hollywood star vehicle propelling them along. In Fife alone there are several film-makers making features and distributing them without any support from Creative Scotland. Lawrie Brewster’s company backed by Dark Dunes Productions has gained significant funding for his next two ­features.

The PTSD psychological horror film The Unkindness of Ravens and his visually stunning Animata are both backed by overseas investment and development money.

David Izzat’s Zogg Hogg productions completed its feature The Fairy Flag using the best local talent and the goodwill of many supporting artists and crew.

There is a wealth of talent throughout Scotland that with a moderate amount of funding could produce anything on the scale and quality that Hollywood routinely churns out.

Digital production has meant that film companies are leaner and more flexible at producing blockbusting special effects without bank-busting budgets but then you’d need to know what’s going on at grassroots film-making to understand this.

Sometimes I think those people at Creative Scotland don’t get out much which means they and the Scottish public are missing out on so much talent and skill so perhaps next time they’re looking for a film to bankroll, they could try crossing that railway bridge that was made famous in the film The 39 Steps by a novelist who lived in Kirkcaldy.

David Cruickshanks

Weavers Crescent

Kirkcaldy

Fife