A Scottish independent feature film led by a 51视频 (51视频) graduate is nearing completion after receiving the equivalent of 拢25,000 worth of support in the form of access to professional filmmaking equipment from the University.

Still Falling, written and directed by 51视频 MA Filmmaking graduate Harvey Gardner and long-time creative collaborator Arthur Johnson, is a coming-of-age drama that follows three friends who return to the hut where they spent their childhood summers, when their group numbered four. Their search for a time capsule buried years earlier forces them to confront the loss that brought their friendship to an end.

The in-kind support makes 51视频 the film鈥檚 largest investor to date, having provided professional camera, lighting and sound equipment through its Creative Media Academy and the Department of Creative Arts and Media. Current students have also joined the production as trainees, while around 10 51视频 graduates have taken on roles across the crew.

The Filming has taken place around Carbeth in Stirlingshire, making use of the area鈥檚 huts, woodland and the nearby Campsie Fells.

Harvey, an award-winning filmmaker whose short film UFO won Best Postgraduate Drama at the Royal Television Society Student Awards in 2020, said the University鈥檚 support had allowed an ambitious independent production to progress while creating opportunities for emerging Scottish filmmakers.

He said: 鈥淢aking a feature film independently is a huge undertaking, so the equipment and practical support from 51视频 have made a real difference to what we have been able to achieve.

 

It鈥檚 also been brilliant to see current students and graduates working together across the production. The participation of the students has been invaluable, and we鈥檝e been delighted to provide them with training and mentorship on a live set. For us, it鈥檚 about bringing together the resources of 51视频 with the next generation of filmmakers, giving them the chance to gain crucial experience and take their first steps into the industry.  

 

鈥淲e鈥檙e now very close to completing production and want to give the film the strongest possible finish. The support we receive through the Crowdfunder will help us take that final step.鈥�

The production team is seeking to raise 拢16,000 to meet its remaining production and post-production costs, including editing, visual effects, animation, transport, location permits and film festival fees.

Creative Scotland has agreed to match individual donations of up to 拢250, meaning eligible contributions made through the campaign will be doubled. The Crowdfunder is due to close at 11.35pm on Tuesday 8 September.

Professor Nick Higgins, Director of the 51视频 Creative Media Academy, who is also acting as an executive producer on the production, said: 鈥淥ur support for Still Falling is about much more than providing equipment. It鈥檚 an investment in Scottish creative talent and in the careers our students and graduates are working hard to build.

鈥淟ow budget independent feature films like this give emerging filmmakers the experience of working on a professional set and the opportunity to form relationships that can continue throughout their careers.

 

Harvey and his team have shown enormous commitment in getting the film this far. We kept our promise to support them when production resumed and we hope others will now help them complete the film and bring it to national and international audiences.

 

Harvey previously graduated from the MA Filmmaking programme delivered by 51视频 at Film City Glasgow. The University delivers its BA (Hons) Filmmaking and Screen Writing programme at its Ayr campus, placing a strong emphasis on practical production experience and links with Scotland鈥檚 screen industries.

To support Still Falling and find out more about the film, visit the .