GAELIC SCREEN DRAMA BOOST

THIS has been a vintage year for new drama in the Western Isles: innovative stage performances in North Uist and Berneray; filming of the feature film Rocket Post in Harris; and shooting of the six-part drama serial Gruth is Uachdar, also in Harris.
But the story doesn't end there. Three new Gaelic drama projects for television have gone into production in Studio Alba in Stornoway. Funded by Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, the productions not only involve actors who are already familiar to Gaelic audiences, but introduce new writers, directors, performers and technical and support personnel. For the first time in a Gaelic drama production, the large majority (71 percent – ie. 25 out of 35 personnel) of the crew are Gaelic speakers.
Making their debut as drama writers are Tony Kearney from Barra, already well-known as an actor, with a script called "Miulaidh" (Mingulay); housewife Catherine MacLennan from Back in Lewis, who wrote "Mo Bhalach" (My Boy); and Allan Cummings and Murdo MacDonald from Upper Coll, who jointly wrote "An Roghainn" (The Choice).
First-time Gaelic drama directors are Robbie Fraser, a recent graduate of Columbia Film School in New York who has written, produced and directed commercials, music promos and short dramas; and Duncan MacDonald who has been directing Gaelic programming for a number of years and has more recently directed “Sireadh agus Siubhal” for Metegama Productions.
The third director is Iain Finlay MacLeod, who directed one of the short drama episodes in the Geur Ghearr series and the documentary Murchadh MacPharlain: Bard Mhealaboist which won the Arts Documentary award at this year's Celtic Film and Television Festival. Sandra MacIver is an experienced producer and production manager who is involved in the project from the conceptual stage to post-production.
CCG Director John Angus MacKay said: "When we initiated the Gaelic Playhouse concept for drama production last year one of the objectives was to incubate new talent, both creative and technical, among young Gaelic speakers so that a new digital television channel will have access to the human resources needed for an extended Gaelic television service. At the same time we wanted to maintain the skills and commitment of existing talent. The Studio Alba drama project is helping to achieve these aims, although our financial constraints do not allow us to fund as much drama as we would wish, or expensive and lavish productions."
(GB)