Future looks bright for Irvine film makers

Dec 14 2012 by sandy clarke, Irvine Herald

Following a successful year for local film production

company Hingway Films, co-founders Greg Andrew and Robb Wallace are set to embark on a project based on the life of Robert Burns.

This year saw the duo win an award for their latest short film The Consultant, which featured on the big screen at the Write, Camera, Action Group film night held in Glasgow’s Cineworld earlier this year in front of a 200-strong audience.

The film picked up the Best Short Film award amid fierce competition, with actress Shona Denovan - who plays Eli - picking up the award for best actress.

The Consultant featured in four major film festivals across thecountry and has been enjoying rave reviews from critics.

However, the team at Hingway Films aren’t interested in restingon their laurels following their recent success.

Speaking to the Irvine Herald, director-writer Greg Andrew talked about his hopes of creating a modern-day dramatisation of the life of Robert Burns.

Greg, 31, said: “Following on from recent plans in the town to resurrect our links with Burns, I felt it’d be an idea to create a film and try to create more of an awareness of his time spent in Irvine.

“Although schools teach children about the poet’s works, I don’t think there’s enough invested in a character that’s crying our for further exploration.”

The idea was initially conceived when Greg came across an intriguing story about the current owner of the Glasgow Vennel house in Irvine, who is convinced that the bard’s ghost is haunting the home he lived in for nine months when he arrived in Irvine in 1781.

The film maker also took an interest the Irvine Harbourside Project, which will seek to rejuvenate parts of the town as part of a creative project to highlight Irvine’s importance in helping to inspire Burns’ venture into poetry.

Said Greg: “When you get into the history of Robert Burns, it’s easy to get lost in the fascinating story. I don’t think many people realise just how significant a role Irvine played in establishing one of Scotland’s greatest icons.

“I think part of the problem is that schools perhaps don’t do enough to give children a proper insight into Robert Burns, which is a shame because I think by having a greater knowledge of Burns, it would be a great way toinspire the creative process in children.”

The film will take a number of the bard’s poems and use them to create modern-dayadaptations of poignant themes that, in Greg’s view, reflect many of the issues that face youngsters in Scotland today.

Since filming its first short production, Happiness Under No Guarantee back in 2009, Hingway Films has grown in reputation. We asked Greg whether the creative process has become easier following the success of his and Robb’s work.

“The creative process itself remains the same. The difficulty is getting productions off the ground due to day jobs and other aspects like funding and being able to market

the films to a wider audience.

Thankfully, we’ve been able to work with amazing local actors who have remained loyal to Hingway, and filming in local locations has helped enormously.

We filmed a short production

called ‘Table Talk’ at the Porthead Tavern’s cocktail bar, ABuV, which went on to be shown at this year’s Loch Ness Film Festival.”

With the emphasis on Hingway Films’ next project being placed on Irvine, Greg spoke of his keenness to have local organisations come on board to support the new film.

“It’d be great to have North Ayrshire Council work with us on the project, and of course I’ll be contacting the Irvine Burns Club as well as other organisations.

The idea I have is in its formative stage at the moment, but I’ve no doubt that by working with the local community and organisations, it can become a huge project that could

encourage more people to find out more about Robert Burns and help bolster Irvine’s place in Scottish history,” said Greg.

To find out more about Hingway Films, visit: www.hingwayfilms.co.uk