ReelScotland Blethers

This episode features a conversation with Steve Carson, Head of Multiplatform Commissioning at BBC Scotland, a role which sees him work across TV, radio and digital. Originally I was keen to talk to Steve about the first year of the BBC Scotland channel, to find out more about the approach to programming on there as well as on BBC Scotland’s other TV channels, radio stations and digital platforms, but then Covid-19 hit. It’s obviously a challenging time for everyone in Scotland’s creative sector, so when the chance arose to talk to Steve, I was interested to hear how BBC Scotland is responding to lockdown. But I also wanted to chat about some of the other decision making that takes place away from lockdown, about dramas like Guilt and comedies like Scot Squad, about some of the great documentaries that are on iPlayer right now and about where things might be heading in the coming year.

This episode features a conversation with Scottish actor and screenwriter, Andrea Gibb, whose latest film, Elizabeth is Missing, is currently on BBC iPlayer. We discussed her move from acting to writing, her cult 2004 film, Dear Frankie, and how Elizabeth is Missing - produced and filmed in Scotland - came to be. We also discussed the need for a Scottish film studio, just before it was announced that Jason Connery is planning to open one in Edinburgh.

It's been a wee while since the last episode of the podcast, but life caught up with me. I hope to release at least one new episode each month, so keep an eye on your podcast feed. This episode I caught up with Edinburgh-based filmmaker Mark Cousins as his 2018 film, The Eyes of Orson Welles, comes to BBC iPlayer. We recorded this interview in 2018, I just wasn't sure when it was best to release it - with the film coming to UK television it seemed like the perfect time. Hopefully the episode is still there when you hear this episode, but it's available on streaming services and DVD if not - please try and catch it if you're a Welles fan. We also discussed Mark's approach to filmmaking and his time on the BBC's Moviedrome TV show. A few things to note about this episode, Mark recommends a Hungarian film, which unless I’m mistaken is called A Woman Captured, while the top secret project turned out to be the 16 hour Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema, which is due to be completed later in 2019.

In this episode I have a blether with writer/director/actor Matthew Holness about the dark Possum, and some of the cast of the bright and breezy British comedy, Patrick. In this episode I mention the brilliant Scarfolk, head to https://scarfolk.blogspot.com/ for more on that world. Find out more about the Radiophonic Workshop over at https://twitter.com/radiophonicwork Follow this podcast on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reelscotland and Facebook at www.facebook.com/reelscotland or you can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com

In this episode I have a blether with director Joe Dante! Joe's a bit of a hero of mine - I still remember sitting in the cinema watching Gremlins 2: The New Batch and I love Matinee - so it was great to talk to him about his love of old movies and his superb website, Trailers from Hell. Find out more over at http://www.trailersfromhell.com I also recommend subscribing to the following podcasts: The Projection Booth: http://projection-booth.blogspot.com/ Pure Cinema Podcast: http://thepinksmoke.com/purecinemapodcast.html The Twilight Zone Podcast: http://thetwilightzonepodcast.com/ Follow this podcast on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/reelscotland and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/reelscotland or you can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com

This episode goes behind-the-scenes of Time Triak, the latest film from Edinburgh documentary filmmaker, Finlay Pretsell. There's some great advice in here from Finlay on making documentaries, and about what it took to get Time Trial to screen. Find out more: https://www.timetrialfilm.com/ Keep an eye on the ReelScotland's Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/reelscotland or http://www.facebook.com/reelscotland to find out who I’ve been speaking to. You can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions.

Welcome to episode 17 of ReelScotland Blethers. This episode I speak to Edinburgh-based writer/director Matt Palmer about his new film, Calibre, which debuts worldwide on Netflix on Friday 29th June. Read Matt's ReelScotland interview from 2011: http://www.reelscotland.com/matt-palmer-on-bringing-horror-classics-to-scottish-cinemas/ Keep an eye on the ReelScotland's Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/reelscotland or http://www.facebook.com/reelscotland to find out who I’ve been speaking to. You can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions.

Welcome to Episode 16 and Episode 1 of ReelScotland Blethers! Confused? You may well be, but all is explained in the podcast. You can also hear an interview with Scottish actor Ewen Bremner, who discusses a short film he's produced, No Song to Sing, as well as his take on the Scottish film industry. Find out more at http://www.nosongtosing.com Keep an eye on the ReelScotland Blethers Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/reelscotland or http://www.facebook.com/reelscotland to find out who I’ve been speaking to. You can email me at reelscotland@gmail.com with any comments or suggestions.

ReelScotland Blethers is both a new and old podcast - here ReelScotland.com's Jonathan Melville tries to explain what's going on with this feed...

Interview with actor James McAvoy as he discusses his latest film, the Irvine Welsh adaptation, #Filth.

Jonathan Melville talks to Storyteller Andy Cannon about his new silent cinema event, The Lost Art of the Film Explainer. Read the review http://www.reelscotland.com/event-review-the-lost-art-of-the-film-explainer/ #silentcinema #scotland #edinburgh #film #cinema

In the role of Merida, heroine of Disney-Pixar’s new animated epic, Brave, actress Kelly Macdonald’s voice is one the most recognisable elements of a film which seeks to bring girl power to 10th Century Scotland. Read the interview http://www.reelscotland.com/shes-the-teenager-i-definitely-wasnt-kelly-macdonald-interview-brave/

At a recent press conference held to promote Disney-Pixar's Brave, director Mark Andrews noted some of the films that inspired his team.

Memories of the Bo'ness Hippodrome from two local residents.

Silent film pianist Neil Brand's opening introduction to the 2012 Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema in Bo'ness, Scotland.

Larry O'Reilly and Matt Eyre discuss the launch of Cineworld IMAX Edinburgh.

Ben Lloyd-Hughes on Young James Herriot's Harry Potter connection

Ben Lloyd-Hughes introduces Young James Herriot's Rob McAloon

Amy Manson on working in Scotland in Young James Herriot http://www.reelscotland.com/amy-manson-young-james-herriot-bbc-scotland/

Amy Manson on the period setting of Young James Herriot http://www.reelscotland.com/amy-manson-young-james-herriot-bbc-scotland/

Actor Iain De Caestecker discusses the filming of BBC Scotland's Young James Herriot. http://www.reelscotland.com/young-james-herriot-iain-de-caestecker-bbc-one/

Australian actress Melissa George discusses her upcoming Scottish-set thriller, A Lonely Place to Die.

Part 2 of a round-up of the highs and lows of the 2011 GFF.

A round-up of the highs and lows of the 2011 GFF.

Shona Thomson, Artistic Director of the Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema, talks about the new event coming to Scotland.

An interview with the team at Pilton Video on their Hollywood success with Mum's Birthday.

An interview with the team at Pilton Video on their Hollywood success with Mum's Birthday - this is the short version, check out Episode 7 for the extended interview.

An interview with Ron Inglis, Director of Regional Screen Scotland.

The Southwell Collective discuss scoring silent cinema at the Bo'ness Hippodrome, 12 September 2010.

Allan Brown, author of Inside The Wicker Man, talks to Jonathan Melville at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, 14 August 2010. Apologies for the audio quality of this mini-episode.

Latest episode of ReelScotland Blethers

Billy Bragg visits Edinburgh with his film, Breaking Rocks.