Film legend shares BAFTA limelight with students
23 November 2009
Iconic Scots filmmaker Bill Forsyth shared his lifetime achievement moment at last night's Scottish BAFTAs - by making a short film as his acceptance speech with Cardonald College Glasgow students. Click here to view the film.
The talented second year HND Television students were invited by the legendary 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 star-studded awards ceremony on Sunday (8 November) at the Glasgow Science Centre.
No strangers to the red carpet, Cardonald's HND students have been filming the annual event celebrating the best of Scotland's home-grown screen talent 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 to the Clyde side including Robert Carlyle, Sir Jeremy Isaacs and Daniela Nardini, who all scooped gongs on the night as well as Bill Forsyth who was awarded for his outstanding contribution to film.
Bill 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. Creatively we gelled immediately, with everyone happily contributing to the look and feel of the material. It was a joy to be out and about with such a team.
"Back at the College, studio and editing facilities were top rate and 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 Bill 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 and he was totally relaxed in front of the camera which is a change of scene for him as a director.
"We couldn't have asked for a better introduction into the real world of filmmaking 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 at Carondald College Glasgow's HND Television course, added: "Working so closely with such an accomplished and iconic Scottish filmmaker has not only been a huge achievement and memorable experience for the students, but is also a true testament to the opportunities to which students at Cardonald have access through their own efforts and those of the staff.
"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."