Bill Forsyth backs Cardonald College Film students

by Ewan Fergus© Evening Times
Originally published: 10.11.2009

Legendary Scots filmmaker Bill Forsyth, director of the Gregory's Girl, drafted in the help of students from Cardonald College as he picked up an award at a prestigious ceremony in Glasgow.

Mr Forsyth was in the city to pick up a lifetime achievement award at the Scottish Baftas - and to illustrate his acceptance speech he used a short film about his life made by students from the college.

The second year HND Television students were invited by the Gregory's Girl and Comfort and Joy director to create a special short film reflecting his career as he was presented with the coveted award at the red carpet ceremony on Sunday at Glasgow Science Centre.

Cardonald's HND students have been filming the annual screen awards for the past two years, testing their knowledge and skills both in front and behind the camera to capture the best moments of the ceremony which will be edited with the guidance of senior BBC officials and webcast worldwide.

This year's event - hosted by Lorraine Kelly - welcomed star guests including Robert Carlyle, Jeremy Isaacs and Daniela Nardini, who all scooped gongs on the night, as well as Mr Forsyth who was presented with his award for his outstanding contribution to film.

Mr Forsyth said: "I was mightily impressed by the Cardonald A Team on our shoot around Glasgow with me reminiscing to camera about my very early days in the film business.

Every member of the crew behaved with professionalism, skill, tact, efficiency and maturity. It was a joy to be out and about with such a team.

"Back at the college, the studio and editing facilities were top rate and they demonstrated a superb professional level of proficiency and skill in the post production processes.

"In just two shooting days we gathered a terrific amount of material. At that rate, I told the crew, if we shot for just a fortnight, we'd have enough material for a feature film.

"The whole thing only confirmed for me a basic truth - when it comes to film making you learn best by doing, and that's definitely the credo at Cardonald."

HND student Heather Winship, who worked with Mr Forsyth on his acceptance speech film alongside Rob Wilson and Stephen Sinclair, said: "It was an incredible experience and a true privilege to work with Bill.

"We couldn't have asked for a better introduction into the real world of film making and to be guided by a star was the ultimate experience.

"Dario and the College have put so much out there for us and although it's what you make of it yourself, we have been given tremendous support in the run up to the Bafta Awards - it was just a shame we were so busy filming on the night we didn't get a chance to see our first premiere."

Dario Sinforiani, senior lecturer on the HND course, added: "Working with Bafta Scotland and the BBC for the third year running has given our students a real feel for the industry and this year's special project with Bill Forsyth has delivered a unique and unprecedented chance for a team of talented, deserving and dedicated students to learn about the film making process."