A MAJOR new National Film and Television School is to be launched in Scotland.
The new wing of the famed existing school (NFTS) in Beaconsfield, England, is to be based at the BBC's headquarters in Glasgow and in Dumbarton, and will train more than 1000 students in its first five years.
The government is to supply nearly half a million pounds in funding towards the school, which was announced by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at the Edinburgh International TV Festival.
NFTS's graduates have won seven Oscars and 100 BAFTAs.
Scottish alumni include BAFTA-winning director, Lynne Ramsay, producer Steve Morisson, award-winning director, Gillies Mackinnon, and Oscar-nominated animator, Sharon Colman, among many others.
The new school, NFTS Scotland, is hoped to provide trained workers for the growth in film and television production in the country in future years.
Jon Wardle, NFTS Director, said: "The NFTS has a proud history of developing Scottish talent from its base in Beaconsfield, so we are incredibly pleased to announce the expansion of the school into Scotland and look forward to making an even greater contribution to the Scottish economy through our unparalleled reputation for delivering high-calibre, job ready graduates."
The new school has been backed as a project by STV, Channel 4, and leading Scottish producers Iain Smith and Andrew MacDonald.
It will open next January, with students enrolling from April.
The school will offer courses in areas where there are "gaps in existing provision", including production accounting, script editing, factual development and movie production accounting.
The school has an "aspiration" that a third of all places in the first two years will be fully funded scholarship places.
The BBC and the Scottish Government are making a contribution to a bursary fund which will meet the costs of these scholarship places.
It is thought that there will be 450 students, with 100 full time, and with more than 1500 graduating in the first five years.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is an exciting development for our screen sector which is already an area of growth for Scotland. "While we have excellent university and college provision for a range of screen subjects and media skills, NFTS’ plans will complement and expand the training opportunities available in Scotland.
“We have seen a rise in high-profile film and television productions being made in Scotland, and this government is focused on ensuring that continues.
"That is why we are establishing a new Screen Unit within Creative Scotland to better coordinate public sector support for screen.
"And as the BBC expands its operations in Scotland – specifically in Scottish news and drama productions – we must ensure people can gain and update the skills they need to capitalise on the opportunities ahead."
The Association of Film and TV Practitioners in Scotland said they welcomed the investment, but added: "This is great news for those looking for world-class training in Scotland.
"However, NFTS is also extremely well-funded compared to its Scottish counterparts and we are concerned that its presence may reduce student places and opportunities elsewhere.
"The issue of continuing and sustained funding for training in Scotland for our industry continues to be highly problematic, and this has lead to the current gap between industry needs and training provision."
Donalda MacKinnon, director of BBC Scotland, said: "BBC Scotland already has an excellent track record in helping to create the broadcasting stars of the future through our various apprenticeship and training projects, so hosting the NFTS in our Glasgow HQ will build on that.
"The NFTS has a well deserved international reputation for the quality of its training so we’re very happy to be working in partnership with them to ensure that we and other broadcasters - along with the film industry in Scotland – have a well trained and well-educated workforce to select from for many years to come."
The new centre is expected to open at BBC Scotland Pacific Quay and Dumbarton studios in January 2018 with students enrolling from April 2018.
The BBC will also provide rent free studio space and facilities at Pacific Quay and Dumbarton over five years.
Employment in the UK’s film, TV, video and photography sector grew by 16.6% between 2011 and 2016 according to recent DCMS statistics and by 25.4% across the creative industries as a whole.
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