Written by new-contact on Mar 31, 2014. Posted in Incentive News

True Detective producer advocates better filming incentives for Scotland

An Executive Producer on the US miniseries True Detective has advocated better filming incentives in Scotland. Edinburgh-born Richard Brown said that increasing the filming tax credits available in Scotland on top of the existing UK incentive could help boost the country’s appeal.

Much of the focus in Scotland is currently on the development of what would be the country's first purpose-built studio facility. A feasibility study was recently published identifying a shortlist of potential sites, including retrofitted facilities currently home to the miniseries Outlander (left)

Speaking to The Scotsman, Brown suggested that launching enhanced filming tax credits should be the priority instead.

“Typically, where people go it’s where the best tax breaks are, and, secondarily, where the facilities are. Those are two things that drive decisions,” Brown told the outlet: “If Scotland could figure out a way to improve upon what’s already in place then it would attract more production.

“An interesting thing about Scotland is the positive image it has internationally – people pretty much everywhere in the world seem to either really love Scotland, or the idea they have of Scotland.”

Iain Smith, Chair of the British Film Commission and also a Scottish producer, added to the outlet: “I think Richard is right in that a local ‘sweetener incentive’ on top of the UK tax credits will always help to make visiting producers feel ‘aggressively’ welcomed and valued."

Typically, where people go it’s where the best tax breaks are, and, secondarily, where the facilities are. Those are two things that drive decisions.

Richard Brown, Producer

“As things stand," Smith added, "Scotland is primarily a locations-based destination, which is not sufficient to build and maintain an industrial or commercial film and TV infrastructure of any size.”

Pinewood Studios had discussions last year with Scottish Enterprise for a potential new facility in Scotland, but ended up choosing Cardiff as the site for a new studio build. The process of developing a new studio in Scotland will continue.

(Main page photo: Mactographer; Outlander photo: Starz)