Film brothers have big dreams for Far North
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A COMPANY has been set up by two Caithness brothers who would like to see films being made in the county for television, the internet and the big screen.
Toby and Fionn Watts, from Freswick, created Far North Film and hope in the long term to capitalise on the potential the area has to offer.
They have made a number of short films – corporate, documentary and drama – over the years and launched their own website showcasing some of their work.
But now the brothers, whose father Murray is a renowned writer and director who has been involved in a number of TV and film projects, have set up their own production company and have definite plans for the future.
Initially, they intend to make short films and videos for businesses and people in the community and encourage film-making in Caithness. They also want to offer workshops to help train people in a bid to generate more interest and opportunities in film and media locally.
"Ultimately, we’d like to see people with skills or desires get involved in film-making, including writing, directing, acting, make-up, lighting and camera," stated 23-year-old Toby.
"We would like that to develop and grow into a thriving community that is producing various home-grown films for various media such as television, internet and even the big screen."
He said they would also like to see feature films being made in Caithness and to have some kind of facility here to help achieve that aim.
Toby explained: "So often big studios or production companies will come location scouting and establish what an amazing setting it is up here but then shy away largely because of logistics and resources.
"We like to dream big and would love to one day be running a production company based in the area that is producing great feature films that are making the most of the local setting wherever possible.
"We’re inspired by films such as Local Hero and The Full Monty that are firmly rooted in a specific place, and we think Caithness has so much potential just waiting to be captured.
"So far most of our experience has been through making our own short films, some highly experimental and some purely for fun, others for commission and others which are more serious.
"We’ve made films and videos in a wide range of genres from short documentary and dramas to music videos, corporate videos and promos for events."
He added: "We’ve both also worked on various productions that other, more established film-makers, have made.
"I worked as a floor runner on the set of The Walk – the film our father made at Freswick Castle in 2006 about William Wilberforce – while Fionn has been involved in making documentaries.
"We hope one day to work with our dad on one of our own film projects.
"In fact, already we’ve made various promotional trailers for some of his plays and what he’s doing at Freswick Castle."
Toby, who studied at Wick High School and Cambridge University, worked after graduating for a documentary production company in New Delhi in India.
Fionn, who is 26, got an honours degree in film and media studies at Stirling University and since then has worked as a freelance film-maker before getting involved in this latest venture.
Far North Film is the second film-based venture to start up in the county.
Blue Chelle Ltd, which is based in Thurso, reported an "amazing turnout" at auditions held at Caithness Horizons last weekend.
The company is working on a project called The Imperial Chronicles of Parduum, and managing director Chelle Laing, who runs the business, was delighted with the response.
Blue Chelle Ltd was set up in America three years ago but has been based in Thurso for the past six months.
