But was Scotland so thrilled about the Olympics?
List Champions Fringe writers
The List is celebrating the best of Fringe writing with a new awards scheme. Words: Allan Radcliffe
llt’ l.r'.\1's team of l'ringe rex iewers has can ed out a
Hereulean reputation down the )ears l‘or' sil‘ting the
wheat item the ehall' ol‘ corned) and theatre writing. Now. we're putting our mone) where our extrernel) opinionated mouths are h_\ launching llnee new awards aimed at celebrating the best w r itets on the lit inge.
It’s ol’ten remarked that the role ol‘ the writer is o\ er looked in the hmuhaha surrounding Ix'rl'orrners and shows. So. we are delighted to he hueking that trilling trend h} presenting awards l‘or writers in the categories (it Best New Drama. Best New ('oined) and Best Newcomer. with cash pri/es and lirst option te|e\ ision deals lot the w inneis.
The awards ha\e heen created in eollalmration with the Writers‘ (iuild of (heat Britain. the trade union hit. man} theatre. radio. te|e\ision and lihn writers. At last _\ear's l’esti\a|. a protot)pe l.r'sI/\\'riters (iuild eollahoration singled out corned} duo (‘olin and l-‘ergus. as well as Perrier Newcomer nominee .r\|un (‘oehr'ane 'l'he guild
represents such names as Anthon) Minghella. Roi} Bremner and Jerem) Hard). all ol~ whom litst seduced the public as lidinhurgh liringe writers and [\L‘lltlllllt‘ls. 'lhe
judging panel ineludes ienowned Lottled) writing dun,
\laiks and (hair. creators ol' llr'rr/s rr/iu l't‘tllllt'l.
Also on the panel is writer and eomie l)a\e (‘ohen. himsell a trainer l’errier nominee. ‘l‘m delighted to ha\e heen asked to help judge these awards] he said. ‘New' writers are especiall} \ulnerahle when the) liist enter the industr'). and these awards will remind ewryrne that none ol‘ their lamurite radio and |\" shows eould e\ist without w l itets. .-\part horn ('('/r'/)rr'1_\'l.m'r'lxlrrlrrl.oleotnsef
'l he shortlist will he announced in llH’ l.l.\l during August. and memhers ol‘ the judging panel will then east their head} e)es met the nominated show s, announcing the w inners at a eerernon) on 'l'uesda} 2 ’~ .\ugust.
To find out more, visit www.list.co.uk
SCOTLAND GETS OWN SCREEN ACADEMY
I Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art have secured Skillset Film Skills funding to establish Scotland‘s first Screen Academy. ‘lhis announcement heralds a new era for film production by Scots in Scotland. In recent years striking features by Scots such as Lynne Ramsay, Peter Mullan and David Mackenzie have received international acclaim, and the need for such an institution north of the border has grown. 'lnterest in making films in Scotland has increased greatly,‘ agrees Professor Joan Stringer of Napier University. ‘This academy will make a significant contribution to reversing the brain drain in advanced level education, as prospective students would have had to move to London.’ As if to illustrate the rude health of home-grown cinema, this year's Film Festival programme features a ‘British Gala‘, including Scots talents David Mackenzie, director of Asylum, and On a Clear Day stars Mullan and Billy Boyd (pictured). (AR)
IThink you can spot a Festival flop from an Edinburgh triumph? Join the judging panel for The List‘s new writing awards (see main news story). If you're available between Monday 1 and Saturday 13 August to cast a heady eye over copious Fringe shows, send a 200 word review of anything you've seen recently (be it film, play, gig or stand- up) to Dave Cohen on bindmancohen©hotmaiL com by 25 July.
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I Publish and Be Damned is a new online self-publishing service for budding authors. It aims ‘to put the writer on top of the pile’ and provides free cover designs, while ISBN administration, manuscript editing and proofing are available at competitive prices. www.pabd.com
IA Scottish Arts Cour lt‘li survey has found tl rat tar re out of 10 adults agree that Scottish art an id (:trltural atthvrly gives tl re outsrde world a good irirptessiorr of tlriscountry, llre lakrrrg l‘art survey also revealed it iat eight out of it) people agreed central govvr r rrrret -t has a respr rr rsrl “lily to support arts and (.tllllllt).
THE LIST 7