17/06/2008

The practical aspects of turning a movie idea into a reality are to form the core of a new post-graduate degree being offered in Scotland.

Glasgow Caledonian University’s new MA International Film Business promises to “help producers see the bigger picture in the movie industry”.

The MA, the first of its kind in Scotland, will, for instance, assist help creative producers work effectively with accountants.

Says the university’s Dr Catriona Miller: “There is a lot of talent in Britain but we are not so good at getting those ideas out there and getting films made.

“Producers need an equal blend of creativity and business skills and our course will have aspects of both.

“We want producers with great ideas that we can help them craft into a package that will be attractive to financiers. A lot of the course is based on students developing their own projects and we hope they would leave not just with a qualification but with four or five projects where they have the script writer and director involved and are ready to put the money together.”

The course will begin in September, part-time, and will run full-time from September next year. Much of the course will be delivered online, with weekend conferences held at the university.

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