Focusing on screen dreams
LAST week I found myself on the set of Das Boot (The Boat), the successful German film/ mini-series set on a U-Boat during World War II.
It was a big international hit, so much so that Sky are remaking it with German partners. Having seen the creaking, claustrophobic interior of the submarine, the cramped bunks and rusting periscope, I could see why it made such gripping drama.
However, that was not the reason for my trip to Bavaria Film, who run a large studio on the outskirts of Munich.
I was there as part of a Scottish Parliament delegation to Bavaria led by the Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh – at the invitation of the state’s president.
Bavaria is known as a “free state”, with its own powerful parliament. Politically and historically it has much in common with Scotland and is keen to cement links with us.
That has to be good, as Bavaria is booming.
Film and TV are big employers. Hence my visit to Bavaria Film. As convener of Holyrood’s Culture Committee, I am regularly asked to support efforts to create a film studio here.
Recently my committee took evidence from industry figures who said Scotland was losing out on jobs because of a lack of studio space.
Firms are keen to film in our stunning locations but unless they can have a base, they are more likely to bring their crew in from other parts of the world.
I learned a lot on my visit to inform the debate in Scotland. The wonderfully named Dr Christian Franckenstein, CEO of Bavaria Film, explained that TV production was key to the studio’s success.
The Munich complex made shows for the whole of Germany.
The German TV companies have a big state subsidy and Bavaria has its own TV stations. Attracting international feature films is a bonus.
Oliver Stone made Snowden mainly in Bavaria. That was achieved even though Germany does not offer big tax incentives to film producers.
It successfully competes with countries who do. I learned there is now an “over-capacity” of studio space in Europe. Scotland’s offering will need to be special.
So it was great to learn how Munich manages to do so well.
Directors are attracted by the Bavarian studio’s “carbon neutral” status, as it is powered by green energy.
Any successful Scottish offering will need to be similarly “green screen” to compete.