A GROWING INTEREST from young people in film making has sparked a move by the University of the Highlands and Islands to introduce a new degree course.
Moray and the Highlands has provided a natural backdrop to inspire young people into the industry, with several recent projects in Moray having demonstrated that there is a great deal of talent waiting to be nurtured.
Now the UHI say that a formal qualification awaits without having to travel too far to study, with the new degree course in contemporary film making becoming available from September, with the course aim to provide students with the skills required to produce creative films in their local communities.
Initially the new degree will be available at Orkney College UHI, Shetland College UHI and North Highland College UHI. Students will be encouraged to collaborate with local writers, musicians and actors to help them develop industry contacts and support the region’s creative industries.
Professor Robin Macpherson the university’s chair of creative industries, helped to set up the degree. Professor Macpherson, a BAFTA-nominated producer himself, has first-hand experience of working in the film industry.
He said: “We are excited to be offering this new degree which will help graduates to forge careers in a variety of roles, including camera operation, TV or film production, editing, location management or programme researching.”
North Highland College UHI principal Donald MacBeath added: “I was pleased to see staff from North Highland College UHI taking this new degree development forward with their colleagues in Orkney and Shetland.
“It adds real value to our existing arts provision and also complements other arts courses currently under development, such as the new creative writing degree.
“I’m really excited by the prospect of our new film students collaborating on experiential learning projects with University of the Highlands and Islands students from other creative arts disciplines to create high quality films in our local areas.”
Last night local Highlands & Islands (including Moray) MSP David Stewart noted the new course as a ‘welcome development’ in a congratulatory motion at the Scottish Parliament, saying: “This is a very welcome development and I congratulate everyone at the UHI who has been involved in bringing this to fruition.
“It provides a fantastic opportunity for budding directors or producers to learn the trade whilst living in local communities in the Highlands and Islands. I look forward to hearing of the successes of the students in years to come.”
You can find out more about the new contemporary film making in the Highlands and Islands BA (Hons) at www.uhi.ac.uk.