In Conclusion... Roll the Credits!

Overall, I find that the film scene in Glasgow is a lot more popular than I initially expected it to be. Admittedly, I watch a lot of Hollywood produced blockbusters with the occasional independent indie movie here and there but I've never really taken the time to properly investigate homegrown movies such as the ones mentioned on this blog.

As well as movies, there are many actors that I completely forgot were Glaswegian. I like to think that my James McAvoy situation has been made pretty clear from my posts on here but I do often forget that actors such as Robert Carlyle and Billy Boyd, who I'm so used to seeing in media that is not Scottish based, are actually from Glasgow.

It seems almost surreal to think of them in this way which makes me rethink my evaluation of the Glasgow film scene not being as big as I thought it was when it clearly has a lot to offer. It has diversity, infinite talent and shows signs of only improving, especially with the new complex opening in 2017.

In conclusion, through my research in which I've studied the Glasgow film scene, I like to think I've learned a lot about it and been able to change my view on it in order to appreciate it more.

World War Z in Glasgow

So, you know that Brad Pitt movie about zombies and epidemics and the army not being able to fend any threat off like always? It's called World War Z, right? I first remember hearing about this movie when everyone was discussing the fact that scenes were being shot in Scotland. Brad Pitt was going to get his vaccines and come to the scary streets of Glasgow for a film?

I'll admit, I was surprised. Also, at first I was confused about the genre of this movie. Zombies? In Glasgow? Did this mean they were finally making a movie about a typical Saturday night out in the West End? It turns out I was wrong though as the movie is actually set in Philadelphia but for reasons that still puzzle me to this day, they chose to shoot a scene in George Square.

So, here we have a picture of the production team shooting the movie with a lorry crash bang smack in the middle. The setting would probably be easily recognisable to anyone that is a native of Glasgow or Scotland but for someone who hasn't ever visited the city and is watching the movie, I suppose they could be fooled into thinking that it was shot in Philadelphia.

...So long as they sort out the registration plates on the cars. That could be a rookie error.

Och Aye, Haggis, Tartan and Redheads

It’s quite obvious that the rest of the world have quite a stereotypical view of Scotland and Scottish people, right? We’re all supposed to wear kilts, eat haggis and have ginger hair, right? I can honestly say that I don’t fit that criteria at all but that doesn’t mean the stereotype had diminished in anyway, even in today’s media with a number of Scottish characters in today’s media seem to hold a number of these stereotypical traits.

First up, we have Amy Pond in Doctor Who played by Scottish actress Karen Gillan so although it’s a relief to not be subject to an English or (God forbid) American actress try and stumble her way through words in Scottish dialect, Amy Pond does display a number of typically Scottish characteristics. First of all, she’s a redhead. Strike 1. Second of all, she’s fiery and hot-tempered and although some may say that is a stereotype of being a redhead, Scottish people are rarely known for their patient nature but rather their bold and brash personalities just like Amy’s. Strike 2. And finally, this girl knows how to pack a punch, just like most of the natives of Glasgow seem to. Strike 3! While she doesn’t wear a kilt, that’s already been covered by another Scottish companion long before the days of colour TV that went by the name of Jamie McCrimmon.

          Next up, we have a personal favourite of mine which is Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott from the Star Trek franchise. He was first portrayed by James Doohan in the original series before being played by Simon Pegg in the reboot. Scotty was not originally Scottish and his nationality was chosen by Doohan himself when upon learning his character was an engineer, he figured that Scottish people would make good engineers. Whatever gave him that idea, I don’t know. I guess this is just another stereotype that the rest of the world hold for us. With a reference once being made about Scotty being a pub crawler, I figured that he’s a character who can hold his alcohol which fits into yet another popular Scottish stereotype.

           Although not a frequent viewer of The Simpsons I know who Groundskeeper Willie is, the angry school janitor with ginger hair, a knack for playing bagpipes, a penchant for tartan and the worst temper known to man? Honestly, need I say more?

          Finally we have red-haired princess Merida from Disney Pixar’s Brave. Set in Scotland, the movie tells the tale of Merida’s quest for her own freedom (no Braveheart jokes, please). She’s a sarcastic, unladylike archer who claims that she does not need a man to define her. Now, if this does happen to be a Scottish stereotype, then for once it’s one that I can fully support!