2008 Awardee: James Wood

I am delighted to accept this award … it will prove to be of great assistance to my studies.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From Stonehaven, James graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2007 where he studied painting and drawing.   He has a wonderful natural gift as a visual artist, excelling in painting, drawing and sculpture.

On graduation, James’s ambition was to train and work in 3D computer animation. His gift in traditional drawing techniques will be an enormous advantage in this field of work. James was accepted onto the highly-regarded Masters course at Bournemouth University, which, he writes, is the ‘perfect platform’ from which to launch himself into the competitive arena of film and video game production.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help pay towards the costs of attending this course.

Since the Award

Jamie graduated with distinction in 2009. A film of his final Masters project can be viewed on his website at www.jamiewoodart.com.

He writes, “I still feel the same passionate drive that I had one year ago to pursue a career in this area and I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Awards for the fact that I am now equipped with the skills and experience needed to break into this competitive industry. With the UK in its current position as one of the world leaders in the development of film and computer game digital content, I am now in the position of being able to represent Scotland by initially seeking a 3D artist job here in the UK.”

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I am delighted to accept this award … it will prove to be of great assistance to my studies.

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2008 Awardee: Lynsey Murdoch

I am absolutely delighted to formally accept the award .. for the completion of my film ‘Eat Me’.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: , , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Cambuslang, Lynsey has been given an Award to concentrate on writing and producing her film ‘Eat Me’, about a young Scottish woman suffering from an eating disorder. As a past sufferer of bulimia, Lynsey knows a lot about the fear and obsession that can inhabit someone with an eating disorder.

Lynsey has proven writing and acting talent and was described as a ‘… new star of Scottish Theatre in the making’ for her performance in ‘Mad Cow’ at the Arches Theatre in Glasgow. In 2006 she was selected by the Playwright’s Studio Scotland for their mentoring scheme. During that time, Lynsey impressed by her commitment and the way in which she found her own voice and unique way of telling her story. Lynsey’s forte is in portraying issues which are affecting young people in society today, with an acute sense of observation and humour.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is supporting Lynsey as she develops as a writer and performer

Since the Award

Lynsey describes the experience of writing and acting in her short film ‘Eat Me’ as “an absolute turning point” in her career.  The film was shot in May 2009 and completed later that year. It will be submitted to film festivals in the UK and worldwide.

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I am absolutely delighted to formally accept the award .. for the completion of my film ‘Eat Me’.

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2008 Awardee: Sophie Neil

I can’t thank you enough for granting me a Dewar Arts Award, enabling me to take up a coveted place at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Fife-born Sophie Neil studied drama and theatre arts at Goldsmiths College, London after leaving school. She went on to gain an MA with distinction in Scenography (Theatre Design) at the Central School of Speech and Drama also in London.

Since then Sophie has worked as a scenographer for live performance at various venues including the New South Bank Centre, the Siobhan Davis Studios and Glyndebourne. Her ultimate ambition was to study at the world-renowned National Film and Television School, which would open up wider opportunities to work in film and television as a Production Designer.

Sophie successfully beat off stiff competition from around the world to be one of only eight students accepted onto the course in 2008. She is seen as a talented and sensitive designer, and her entrance project for NFTS both intrigued and delighted the selection panel demonstrating that she would bring new ideas to designing for the screen.

One of Sophie’s secret ambitions is to design for a future Olympics.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Sophie financially through the course in Production Design for Screen at the NFTS, Beaconsfield.

Since the Award

Sophie successfully graduated with an MA in Production Design, gaining a distinction on her dissertation entitled ‘Emptiness’. She writes that her time at NFTS “has inevitably changed my skills and my prospects beyond measure.”

Sophie has been in continuous employment since leaving NFTS, first on the set of “Bel Ami”, due for release in 2011, and currently as an Assistant Art Director with established designer, Peter Bingemann. Sophie’s animation graduate project “The Boy who wanted to be a Lion” was selected for the Short Film Competition at Critics’ Week at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.

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I can’t thank you enough for granting me a Dewar Arts Award, enabling me to take up a coveted place at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.

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2008 Awardee: James Harrison

This will help me [towards] working in the Scottish film industry, by giving me training in areas that I would be unable to obtain in Scotland

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

James has always wanted to work in films, behind the camera as a director of photography.

Born in England, James moved to Glasgow with his family as a young boy aged eight. He was one of the first students on the new degree course at the RSAMD in digital film and TV production, from where he graduated with a first.

While he was a student, he also worked in the department looking after the digital film and audio equipment. This additional responsibility brought him into contact with a wide range of people and organisations in the industry.

James’ next step after RSAMD is to attend a number of short training programmes at the National Film and TV School in Beaconsfield which are designed to mould high quality entrants into the film and television industries. They will provide him with the essential practical skills he needs in order to break into this highly-competitive industry.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funds James to attend a number of short programmes run by the NFTS, Beaconsfield.

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This will help me [towards] working in the Scottish film industry, by giving me training in areas that I would be unable to obtain in Scotland

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2007 Awardee: Paul Wright

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude for this generous support…. I am forever grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3591467/
 
 

Biography

Paul is considered to be one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation.

Brought up in Fife, Paul moved to Edinburgh to begin studying film and photography, where he quickly developed a passion for filmmaking. He went on to study film at Glasgow’s RSAMD, where his abilities stood out.

His film ‘Hikikomori’ (cinematographer: fellow Dewar Arts awardee David Liddell) received many plaudits, including a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Film, a BAFTA Scotland win for ‘Best New Work’ and a clutch of other Best Drama and Best Fiction Film awards.  It also caught the eye of the NFTS, Beaconsfield, and Paul was offered a place on their MA in Directing Fiction course.

Through the production and post-production of ‘Hikikomori’ Paul demonstrated the essential discipline required to become a great filmmaker and story-teller, knowing how to tell a story well and balance all the elements of the film to serve the central idea. Paul has already impressed as a filmmaker who is sincerely interested in his art and its possibilities as well as in the world around him and in emotional truth. His is a name to remember.

How the Award Helped

Paul received a Dewar Arts Award to help him pursue an MA in Directing Fiction at the NFTS, Beaconsfield.

Since the Award

Paul successfully graduated from NFTS with an MA in Directing Fiction. While there, he made a number of short films, one of which ‘Believe’ (cinematographer: former Dewar Arts awardee, Benjamin Kracun) has already won four prestigious film festival awards as well as a special mention at three further international film festivals. His equally stunning film short ‘Until the River Runs Red’ is tipped for similar success.

Paul has signed to Casarotto Ramsay, one of the UK’s most respected film agents, and is developing his debut feature with Zentropa Films. In an article on the state of the British film industry, Paul was described as simply “the future of the British Film Industry.” He writes, “Quite simply without The Dewar Arts Award I would not financially have been able to take my place on the course and I am eternally grateful for your help during this important time in my career.”

In 2011, Paul’s film ‘Until the River Runs Red’ won the BAFTA Best Short Film. Congratulations, Paul!

In 2013, Paul’s debit feature film ‘For Those in Peril’ received excellent reviews and was screened at Cannes Film Festival. It has since gone on to gain a Scottish BAFTA and a nomination for Outstanding Debut at the UK BAFTAs.

Until the River Runs Red

Interview at the BAFTAs

For Those in Peril

Review in Variety Magazine

Feature in The Independent

Film details on IMDB

Paul Wright Interview: ‘For Those in Peril’ at Cannes Film Festival

Paul Wright Interview: ‘For Those in Peril’ at Edinburgh International Film Festival

Paul Wright Interview: ‘Until the River Runs Red’ at The BAFTAs

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I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude for this generous support…. I am forever grateful.

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2007 Awardee: Christopher Maxwell

I am extremely grateful to the trustees.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from East Kilbride, Chris Maxwell is focussed on a career in the film industry behind the camera. His career goal is to become Director of Photography.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards enabled Christopher to attend short courses at the NFTVS, Beaconsfield.

Since the Award

Chris attended two short courses at NFTS: Camera Familiarisation and Shooting on HD. He writes that the course was excellent for the content, the equipment he was able to use and gain experience on and the expert tuition he received from top professionals.

After observing him on the courses, his tutor strongly encouraged Chris in his career ambition to become a cinematographer.

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I am extremely grateful to the trustees.

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2007 Awardee: Christopher Murray

I am delighted to accept the Dewar Arts Award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Glenrothes, Chris Murray studied film and media at Stirling University. As a student he impressed as one of the best thinkers and practitioners about aspects of film-making, especially editing, of his year and demonstrated real creative potential.

From there Chris went on to volunteer for a year, under the auspices of Project Scotland, for Boxstar, the West Lothian Youth Theatre film and media facility. During that year Chris worked on 15 film productions, including So now you can vote!, a short film designed to encourage teenagers to use their vote, contracted by West Lothian Council.

While there, Boxstar staff say that “he developed an in house edit style for the organisation which has resulted in the quantity and quality of our film-making improving significantly.” This also had the beneficial effect of encouraging more young people to get involved in film-making as the quality of the end product improved.

Chris impressed Boxstar so much that they offered him a full-time job at the end of his year. His ambition is to become a top-class film editor, working within the emerging Scottish film industry.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funds Chris to attend a short course on film editing at the Metropolitan Film School in London.

Since the Award

Christopher successfully completed the short course on film editing. He writes that technically he is much more proficient with the editing software than before he started the course, artistically his knowledge of film has been broadened and he is more focused on his future career ambitions.

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I am delighted to accept the Dewar Arts Award.

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2007 Awardee: David Liddell

It means an enormous amount to have this financial support and to be considered in such a prestigious grouping as the Dewar Arts Award – I heartily accept.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Originally from Dalkeith, David Liddell gained a first class honours in digital film and television at Glasgow’s RSAMD. Since then he has won both an RTVSS award and a ‘Best Cinematography’ award at Scottish Students on Screen. His work has been screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and fellow Dewar Arts Awardee Paul Wright’s film, ‘Hikikomori’, on which David was cinematographer, won ‘Best New Work’ at BAFTA Scotland in 2007.

NFTS is a highly prestigious school (“where the new stars for the British film industry are germinated”) and where many of the top film industry professionals offer help and tuition. David is one of a number of talented young Scots in film who have received help from the Dewar Arts Award to study there. As David himself says, “this is a once in a lifetime chance to absorb myself in a passionate, creative and educational environment focusing on the minutiae of the craft.”

David Liddell is already well-known to, and respected by, professionals in the film industry and is considered to be a hugely talented cinematographer, who possesses considerable abilities in many other film specialties. His is a name to watch out for.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is helping David towards gaining a Master of Arts in Cinematography at the NFTS, Beaconsfield.

Since the Award

David successfully graduated with an MA in Cinematography, achieving a commendation for his dissertation ‘Through a Lens Secretly’. He describes his two years at NFTS as “the most exciting, inspirational and individual experience of my entire life”. His graduation film “Precipice” is being developed into a feature film and three of his short films will be premiered at the 2010 Edinburgh Film Festival. Since graduation, David has been tutoring part-time at the RSAMD whilst also working on new film projects.

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It means an enormous amount to have this financial support and to be considered in such a prestigious grouping as the Dewar Arts Award – I heartily accept.

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2007 Awardee: Jenny Randall

You cannot imagine how grateful I am or how happy I was on opening your letter! Thank you a million times over.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Jenny was born in Vancouver and moved to Scotland with her family when she was seven. She has wanted to make films since she was twelve years old. It was a double thrill to be accepted to study film production in the city where she spent her early years.

Jenny started her formal training in film making at Dundee University on the Time Based Art Programme, where she specialised in film. She was considered to be one of the most talented students on the programme where she achieved top grades in all her assessments.

While a student she entered a climbing film Brick and Mortar Disorder, on rock climbing on buildings, into the Dundee Mountain Film Festival and won second place in the People’s Choice competition. She demonstrated her talent and potential for film-making by bringing a fresh approach and a sense of humour to the genre.

Jenny’s short film ‘Stupidity Pays’ can be viewed on the Channel4 4Talent website, and her film ‘Rat’ has been nominated for a Royal Television Society Student Award. She is the second awardee to be supported to study at the prestigious Vancouver Film School.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help fund Jenny at Vancouver Film School to study film production.

Since the Award

Jen successfully graduated from VFS and moved back to Glasgow in 2009 to look for work.  She writes, “with a script in my back pocket and an eagerness to get in touch with the contacts I have [in Glasgow].. I am very excited to be returning to Scotland, and I will always be extremely grateful to Dewar Arts Awards for supporting me.”

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You cannot imagine how grateful I am or how happy I was on opening your letter! Thank you a million times over.

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2007 Awardee: Michael Osborne

I was thrilled to receive your letter of award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Dumfries-born Michael graduated with distinction from Queen Margaret University College in 2005 with a degree in stage management and theatre production. Since graduation he has been working freelance in Scotland’s theatre and film industry towards his long-term goal to become a producer.

While an undergraduate, Michael’s particular interest was in stagecraft and screencraft. He was employed by the university as cinematographer and line producer on a number of undergraduate films shot as part of the BA Acting course. One film, Watching’, was screened at a number of short film festivals and for a week on Sky TV.

Since graduation, he has worked on a number of films in different capacities. Recently a short film on which he collaborated was screened at the 2007 Leith Festival and the New York Minute Film Festival.

Michael is considered to have all the attributes needed to become a successful producer; talent, creativity, drive and enthusiasm. To help him to the next stage in his career, Michael identified a number of courses that would provide him with the skills and experience he needs.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is funding Michael to attend a series of professional courses in film production.

Since the Award

Michael attended two courses on Moving into Management and on Production Management. As a result, he has been consistently employed during the worst part of the economic downturn of 2008-9. The benefits of the courses eventually helped him to secure a permanent position at one of the major schools in Edinburgh as Production Manager, responsible for all their drama productions.

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I was thrilled to receive your letter of award.

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