Shortcuts to the Far North - full showcase

11th September 2014

Last Friday (5 September 2014) The North Highland College UHI showcased seven of its student films to a delighted audience at the impressive Pulteneytown People's Project in Wick. The first six films had been premiered in June and the latest viewing highlighted a new film from screenwriting student Donna Booth.

Seaglass is a haunting story set around Dunnett Beach starring local talent Kerry Tait, James Robson and Rhea Booth, Donna's daughter. On seeing her creation onscreen for the first time Donna said: "Seeing ‘Seaglass' on the screen was a pretty surreal experience, even more so with my daughter starring in it. I was most impressed by how the director, the crew and the actors were able to take what had been in my head and in the screenplay and create something on the screen that really caught what I wanted to show. It's such a luxury to be able to take part in a creative writing class with such a talented teacher and be given the opportunity to take part in such exciting projects. I’ve learned more and achieved more in my two years working with George than I have in all the years since I decided at 5 that I wanted to be a writer."

The North Highland College writing students were taught by George Gunn and the films were produced by local production company Big Box Network as part of a local capacity building exercise. Sophie Dunnett, Assistant Director at North Highland College UHI, continued: "There are some exciting plans for the creative industries in the far north and this activity is just scratching the surface. In the short term we have a new creative writing night class beginning and if people want to see their ideas transformed into real products, such as happened to the screenwriting students, then everyone is welcome to join in."

Anyone interested in the creative writing evening class should contact the College on 01847 889000 for more information. Big Box Network are progressing their own plans, with a new short film featuring Donna Swanson and is due out next month. A full feature film is also planned for Caithness in 2014 - exciting times indeed for Caithness creatives.

PHOTO
Rhea Booth