Scotland on film

Filming starts on Government-supported Churchill production.

Production has started in locations across Scotland on the untold story of the former Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, in the build-up to the June 1944 D-Day landings.

Churchill, starring Brian Cox and directed by Bafta award winner Jonathan Teplitzky, is a Salon Pictures production in association with Tempo Productions. It has received £250,000 from the £1.75 million Production Growth Fund administered by Creative Scotland.

The film charts the tension between Winston Churchill and Allied leaders during the five days before D-Day, and will be released in January 2017.

During a visit to the set, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop witnessed first-hand how the Fund is being used to support production. She discussed the film and its background with the production team, watched filming and met with a team of young Scottish crew.

Speaking ahead of her keynote speech to the Scottish Screen Summit later today, Ms Hyslop said:

“Scotland is widely recognised as a location for international film and TV productions. The talent of the Churchill cast and crew highlights why Scotland is an attractive place to shoot large-scale productions.

“During my visit, I met three young Scottish crew members, including a trainee grip, costume trainee and a floor runner, to hear about their experiences working in the screen sector of Scotland. It’s vital that we continue to work together collectively to encourage fresh talent into the TV and film industry.

“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland’s screen sector to achieve its potential and we want to see it grow. I’m confident Churchill will prove popular among audiences across Scotland and worldwide when it’s released at the beginning of 2017.”

Churchill Producer, Piers Tempest, said:

“We’ve been filming across 11 Scottish locations since 23rd May and each one has proved unique. Scotland is a highly attractive location for film makers with stunning backdrops. The support we have received from both Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government has made a huge difference in making this production happen.”

Notes to editors

Background

The Production Growth Fund aims to stimulate growth in screen production and encourages international productions to come to Scotland.

Scotland’s Screen Summit will be held on 15th June 2016: http://www.scottishfilmsummit.org/

More information about Churchill can be found here:

Pictured with Ms Hyslop are (L-R): Suvi Wallendahr – Costume Trainee, David Clarke – Trainee Grip and Calais Brown – Floor Runner.

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