While it may appear that I've been quiet on the writing front (my latest novel is progressing well, but is still a work in progress) I have been incredibly busy writing, producing and directing another project. My latest film, 'Jimmy Johnstone' was premiered at the IMAX cinema in Glasgow on Monday 19th of September to a… Continue reading Writing brilliant characters in fiction and creative non-fiction; a real privilege.
Category: Film
From idea to cinema screening, the making of the #JimmyJohnstone film.
A piece I wrote about writing, producing and directing my latest purpleTV film; Jimmy Johnstone, is on the Glasgow Live website today. You can view it on the site, or below. The premiere screening is at the IMAX Glasgow on Monday evening! Growing up in a football family I was always aware of Celtic’s greatest-ever player: Jimmy Johnstone.… Continue reading From idea to cinema screening, the making of the #JimmyJohnstone film.
Come along to my @leapsports @scottishbktrust event, 8th June.
I'll be in conversation with Professor Richard Haynes from the Stirling University Centre for Gender and Feminist Studies at a LEAP Sport Scotland / Scottish Book Trust Live Literature event tomorrow, 8th June 2016 at 18.30pm. Ironically, and quite aptly, we'll be discussing representations of gender in sport at the Stirling Boy's Club. You can book tickets here.… Continue reading Come along to my @leapsports @scottishbktrust event, 8th June.
RTS award for ‘Jim Baxter’.
I was incredibly thrilled to win a Royal Television Society Scotland award at a glitzy ceremony in Glasgow on the 25th of May for Jim Baxter, a documentary film I wrote, produced and directed. The film, produced by my co-owned production company purpleTV, is an intimate portrayal of the personal and professional life of Jim Baxter,… Continue reading RTS award for ‘Jim Baxter’.
Royal Television Society Scotland nominations!
I was thrilled this week when the nominations for this year's Royal Television Society Scotland awards were announced. The RTS awards are the gold standard of achievement in the television industry recognising excellence across the entire range of programme making and broadcasting skills. Two (yes, two!) films that I wrote, produced and directed have been shortlisted for an award. Tartan… Continue reading Royal Television Society Scotland nominations!
Hogmanay & Handselling. Only in Scotland.
It's Hogmanay! Or for those of you reading this outside of Scotland it's New Year's Eve. Traditionally, in oor wee bonnie country, the last day of the year is spent preparing to say goodbye to the year past by welcoming in the next with a variety of cultural nuances that have regional variances but fundamentally deliver on the same… Continue reading Hogmanay & Handselling. Only in Scotland.
Spotting the (Irvine) Welsh man in Chicago.
I'm really fortunate that in my work for purpleTV I get to tell stories in a visual format, building narratives using testimony, archive and various other creative mediums. In the course of this work I've met some amazing people and this week was no different. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Irvine… Continue reading Spotting the (Irvine) Welsh man in Chicago.
Rathlin Island swallows and #JimBaxter
The swallows are making ready to leave. Birds from all over the island are gathering in gulps (I'm on Rathlin), their polished backs glistening as they line up on telephone wires, preening and prancing as they wait for the word that will send them on down to South Africa for the winter. Occasionally they appear back up… Continue reading Rathlin Island swallows and #JimBaxter
Inspiring women. The making of “GIRL”.. #GOGIRL
All through life, I seek, and find, inspiration. This involves anything from looking out of the window, to reading a book, to listening to someone speak with passion and determination. This last week or so though my inspiration has come from a fabulous song written by singer / songwriter Sharon Martin. "GIRL" is beautiful, and the… Continue reading Inspiring women. The making of “GIRL”.. #GOGIRL
The making of Jim Baxter & the Royal Television Society
As well as novel writing, I'm managing director of mneTV and a director of purpleTV. At purple we produce high end documentaries, focusing on great storytelling, and we also produce mobile apps, again focusing on the narrative in visual formats, telling stories of social and cultural significance to worldwide audiences who otherwise may not have… Continue reading The making of Jim Baxter & the Royal Television Society