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Title: ALAN SHARP

Reference number: 6151

Date: 1991c

Sponsor: Strathclyde Regional Council and Scottish Film Council

Production company: TV Media Services

Sound: sound

Colour: col

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 39.43 mins

Description: In responses to questions posed by an audience of schoolchildren, Alan Sharp describes his career as a screenwriter and the film and television industry in general. He also discusses his latest work, the big-budget historical drama starring Liam Neeson - 'Rob Roy'.

Part of a series called 'The Strathclyde Tapes' designed to inform young people about a career in the media. See also refs. 6134, 6178, 6148, 6149, 6150.

The Strathclyde Tapes series 1990 - 1996 was produced by Strathclyde Regional Council in partnership with Scottish Film Council for Media Education Teaching. They grew out of collaboration between the Scottish Film Council and Strathclyde Regional Council, which were both involved in bringing the European Film Awards to Glasgow in 1990 to round of the celebrations for the city's year as Cultural Capital of Europe. Set of seven interviews with film industry personnel - Bill Forsyth, David Puttnam, Richard Attenborough, Paddy Higson, Jonathan Miller, Peter Brook and Alan Sharp.
For teaching notes and background information see paper archives file at 1/1/334.

Credits: with thanks to Alan Sharp and the pupils and staffs of Greenock High, Trinity High, Refrew, Mearns Castle High School, Paisley Grammar and Eastwood High, Wellington Academy, Greenock, Gleniffer High, Paisley, St. Ninian's High, Giffnock
shot on location at Greenock High School
add. assistance Glasgow Film Theatre
educational liaison Ron Mackie, Strathclyde Region and Paula Visocchi, Glasgow Film Theatre
recorded and ed. TVMS
The Strathclyde Tapes are a Strathclyde Regional Council and Scottish Film Council Presentation

Shotlist: [shotlisted from control track - no timecode]

(0.00) opening credits (1.06) Alan Sharp explains how scripts are commissioned and that scripts can also be submitted without being solicited. He talks about the screenwriter's limited involvement in the production process and the differences between working for film and for television. He describes the difiiculties and constraints presented by a historical drama such as Rob Roy. He explains why his films are pessimistic in tone and describes how he creates characters for his scripts. Sharp describes the changes which have taken place in the film and television industries in the last twenty years. He talks about the reasons for the popularity of the sequel and its effect on creativity. He explains the issues involved in the casting of the role of Rob Roy. Sharp explains why he would like to work in Scotland again and identifies his favourite films among his work (38.55) ecs (39.43)