Edinburgh Napier University

  The paper discusses how the global demand for streaming content in recent years has led to a boom in screen production activity in Scotland, and comments on the impact of this situation on opportunities for Scottish-based film and television workers. As in other parts of the UK, public policies for screen production in Scotland over the last fifteen years have been largely geared towards attracting high-budget foreign productions into the country, especially high-end television (HETV) projects from American studios and networks. Since the introduction of the UK government’s HETV tax relief scheme, in 2013, followed by additional funding schemes and infrastructure investments from the Scottish Government, the Scottish screen sector has been increasingly benefiting from work on these kind of productions, not only incoming projects, but also projects originated in the UK. Around the middle of 2022 Scotland finally cemented its status as a hub for HETV, after managing to achieve a level of ‘post-pandemic normalcy’ with a record in production activity in this area. The success of many Scottish-based productions across streaming platforms has also been helping to increase the country’s visibility in the global production market. Some examples are the Highland fantasy series 'Outlander' from Sony Pictures and the STARZ platform, heading now to its eight season, Amazon Prime series 'The Rig', 'The Princess Switch' franchise by Netflix, and domestic projects such as BBC crime series 'Shetland'. The paper shows how HETV productions are playing a key role in the talent development and career sustainability of Scottish-based crews and prompting further investment in infrastructure in the local sector (including the establishment of new large-scale studio facilities across the Central Belt). The paper also comments on the importance of HETV for the economic value and international profile of the Scottish screen sector.