The streaming dream

THE Scottish Hollywood producer Iain Smith spoke about the potential of streaming drama for the Scottish film and TV industry.

“There is Netflix, there is Amazon [streaming video] coming up fast, and there is Disney, coming up fast – they are preparing their own streaming channel,” he said.

“It is all moving to streaming, or SVOD as we call it, Subscription Video on Demand. Consumers have control now. We got so used to how we would see one episode on a Saturday night and then wait a week for another episode, we were indoctrinated to the control of broadcasters.

“This is not a golden age, I don’t think, but it is great period for creators of content: Netflix are in 190 countries, 125 million subscribers, and all in seven years.

“From a content point of view, it’s very good news – but Scotland is not ready for it, it does not have the capacity.

“Netflix are looking for a hub in the UK, and they are looking to the nations and regions.”

Smith said: “Hopefully, with the new Screen Scotland, we are going to see something about economics.”

He added: “My reading of the Scottish situation is that the MSPs do get it, they understand the big picture, but where I feel the problem is, is in officialdom.”

Smith noted: “Scotland seems content to have a few crumbs off the table, and it cannot afford to be like that.

“If this country is going to be in any way self-sustaining, then it needs to get its economy sorted. And for £1.5 million, or something like that [in a studio], they could see some significant improvement.”