1976-1989

The Scottish screen sector as a pathfinder ‘creative cluster’

The impetus behind the launch of Film Bang in 1976 came from a tight-knit group of freelance members of the ACTT union. Over the next few years their aspirations for an indigenous film industry were realised with the development of a proto-type screen industry creative cluster for Scotland with feature film and television production supported by inward investment such as by Channel 4 and Goldcrest Films. Key productions include feature films Gregory’s Girl (1981), Local Hero (1983), and many television programmes such as Brond (1987), Blood Red Roses (1986).

Plot of freelance numbers by year showing a key timeframe between 1976 and 1990 when the number of freelancers rose from around 50 to around 300. There is a steep increase between 1982 and 1984, the numbers level off between 1984 and 1988 rising steeply again from 1988 to 1990. This period is annotated as 'Development of Screen Industry in Scotland'

1990-1999

De-regulation, accelerating growth, new technology and flexible work practices

The 1990s marked a period of continuing and accelerating growth of the freelance workforce. The 1990 Broadcasting Act required an increased quota of independently produced programmes not just for Channel 4 but also for the BBC and ITV and local independent production companies. Production of major feature films in Scotland continued and used local crews including Shallow Grave (1991), Rob Roy (1995), Trainspotting (1996). There were new, more flexible working arrangements with the demise of the closed-shop union for the industry and many of the previous barriers to entry ceased to operate.

Plot of freelance numbers by year showing a key timeframe between 1990 and 2000 when the number of freelancers continued to rise, from around 300 to around 700. The gradient is relatively constant throughout this period. This timeframe is annotated as 'Deregulation, changing technology, flexible working'

2000-2009

Uncertainty leads to stalled growth and decline for the industry in Scotland

The 2003 Communication Act led to the transformation of the ITV system. STV, the Scottish ITV franchise-holder, overstretched and vulnerable, lost key returning network commissions that had previously provided regular work for freelancers. At the same time fewer feature films were being made in Scotland and the national agency, Scottish Screen, went through a period of instability. Recognition of this decline led the Scottish Government to establish the Scottish Broadcasting Commission in 2007 to investigate how to improve levels of production and assess the importance of the screen sector to the Scottish economy.

Plot of freelance numbers by year showing a key timeframe between 2000 and 2010 when the number of freelancers peaked and began to decline. Numbers are relatively constant between 2000 and 2002, rising steeply to a peak of just over 800 in 2004. Thereafter the numbers decline first gently then steeply. There is an increase between 2008 and 2009 of about 30. The numbers drop again from 2009 - 2010 by approximately 80. This timeframe is annotated as: 'Decline of Industry'

2010-2020

Increased production, new broadcasters

Since 2010 the workforce registered with Film Bang has levelled at around 650. This reflects a gradual restoration of production and some significant high-budget incoming productions such as the Outlander series (2014-present) made by Left Bank Productions and Sony Pictures for the US Starz network, and The Outlaw King (2018) made by Sigma Films for Netflix. However as noted earlier, other sources, such as the ONS, point to higher growth for the sector during this period, with the impact of freelance crew networking and sharing contact information via social media groups on Facebook and other platforms, the Film Bang directory is no longer a comprehensive record of the Scottish freelance community.

Plot of freelance numbers by year showing a key timeframe between 2010 and 2020. Numbers fluctuate between 650 and 700 throughout this period, showing an upturn from 2019 - 2020. This timeframe is annotated as : 'Increased Production, New Broadcasters'