In 2020, our priority during lockdown was to do everything we could to support our creative community as most of our activity moved online. Virtual Q&A's were available for the global membership (in excess of 130) and BAFTA View became the online screening hub for TV previews and film screenings. We continued to work with both new and existing talent to ensure an accessible and connected industry. Here are some highlights of our learning and talent activity in 2020:
SPRING
We started the year at the MOVE Summit in Edinburgh, with a great discussion and screening of BAFTAScot19 Animation Winner, Love Death & Robots.
Although our flagship event Guru Live Glasgow was cancelled back in March, we produced a smaller virtual edition for our new entrants, bringing inspiration and some much needed motivation during this period of uncertainty.
Freelancing with Sara Putt
This online session looked at navigating the freelance world particulaly within the Covid-19 climate.
Masterclass: Observation
A directors commentary of the BAFTA award winning Game: Observation. The team at NoCode took us through their creative decisions which were made during the development of this game.
Guru Live Glasgow: Access Pass
We programmed 4 virtual round tables for our TV/Film Access Pass participants during lockdown; these included:
Developing Drama with Stephanie Fyfe (Development Executive, Freedom Scripted)
Producing Comedy with Sarah Asante (Commissioning Editor, BBC)
Self Shooting with Sarah Howitt (Producer/Director, Indelible Telly)
Directing Drama with Lynsey Miller (Director, freelance)
We also arranged 1-2-1 meetings for our Access Pass holders with specialist crafts and for our Games Access Pass participants.
SUMMER
In May, we launched BAFTA Share a new initiative for our Scotland members. As an industry that is so reliant on networks, relationships and peer to peer learning, BAFTA Share offered online skill sharing. We arranged a total of 29 online meetings through this programme.
Utterly fantastic, invigorating and inspirational. A really excellent way to connect with like minded peers and hear their experiences. But more than that, BAFTA Scotland connected me with someone who's work inspires me, allowing the opportunity to get an insider's view on their methods. 10/10! Stephen Bennett, director & producer
BAFTA Share was an excellent and inspiring experience for me. My match was extremely helpful and very easy to speak to - I felt ten times more motivated and confident after our chat. I would throughly recommend this initiative. Marcus McPeake, screenwriter
AUTUMN
We continued to develop our Learning and New Talent programme online with the aim of producing more inclusive events, breaking down geographical barriers and allowing access for everyone regardless of background. We held 4 Career Close-Up virtual round tables for new talent providing access to award winning experts in their craft.
Location Management with Lloret Dunn (T2: Trainspotting, World War Z, Fast & Furious 6)
Costume Design with Alison McCosh (Peaky Blinders, Tom and Jerry, The Cry)
Cinematography with Neville Kidd MSC (Umbrella Academy, Outlander, Sherlock)
Production Sound with Stuart Wilson (1917, The Batman, Star Wars franchise)
WINTER
In the run up to the British Academy Scotland Awards we held a series of free online events featuring BAFTA Scotland-nominated films, TV shows and talent. Panels of nominees and industry experts offered an insight into both their craft and the nominated films, games and TV programmes they worked on.
Documentary: speakers included: John MacLaverty – (The Battle of Skye Bridge), Matt Pinder – (Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Margaret Fleming), Anne-Claire Pilley (Being Gail Porter)
Producing Scripted TV: speakers included: Emma Kingsman-Lloyd (Deadwater Fell), Sarah Brown (Elizabeth Is Missing), Jules Hussey (Guilt)
Game Design: speakers included: Gary Penn (Autonauts), Thomas Welsh (Cloudpunk), Anthony Gowland (Dead End Job)
Writing: speakers included: Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth is Missing), Neil Forsyth (Guilt), Paul Laverty (Sorry We Missed You)
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