Sigma Films
Sigma Films[1] is a film company based in Glasgow, Scotland. The company was formed in 1996 by Gillian Berrie, David Mackenzie and Alastair Mackenzie - a producer, director and actor respectively.[2][3]
History
Together they made the shorts California Sunshine and Somersault before going on to make their debut feature The Last Great Wilderness, which was largely funded by lottery money and co-produced by Zentropa,[3] for which they were joined by new young producer Angus Pigott.
Following the success of their first feature David Mackenzie then went on to direct Young Adam while Gillian strengthened links with co-producer Zentropa, spawning a prodigious co-production relationship which has seen Sigma contribute to a huge number of films including Lars Von Trier's Dogville and Manderlay, Thomas Vinterburg's Dear Wendy and Oscar nominated After The Wedding from Susanne Bier.[4]
Furthering the relationship with Zentropa are Andrea Arnold's Red Road and Morag Mackinnon's Donkeys. Both films are part of the Advance Party scheme created from an idea by Gillian Berrie, Sisse Graum Jorgensen, and Lars Von Trier.[3]
Gillian and David's second collaboration was Hallam Foe, starring Jamie Bell and Sophia Myles. Always keen to experiment the production embraced the then zeitgeist medium of blogging. The erstwhile blogger Hugh Macleod mentored Colin Kennedy while he wrote a commentary on production aimed at providing a transparent account of the movie-making process.
In 2011, they celebrated their 15th anniversary with the release of David Mackenzie's You Instead.[2]
Sigma Films have also been home to the short films of Johnny Barrington (Trout and Terra Firma) - and the music video from Colin Kennedy for We Are The Physics[5] and Colin's first short film proper, I Love Luci. Colin Kennedy's first feature, Swung, is due to be released in 2015.
As well as nurturing writing and directing talent Sigma also brings on new producers and have seen Anna Duffield (Trout, Terra Firma, Donkeys), Carrie Comerford (Red Road) and Brian Coffey (Swung, The Legend of Barney Thomson, Starred Up, Citadel, I Love Luci) begin their producing careers.
Sigma also co-produced Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin starring Scarlett Johansson. The company has been the producing vehicle for the majority of David Mackenzie’s features including Hallam Foe, Perfect Sense, You Instead and Starred Up, which has picked up more than 12 awards and 11 award nominations.
Sigma recently produced Robert Carlyle's directorial debut The Legend of Barney Thomson starring Robert Carlyle, Emma Thompson and Ray Winstone, opened Edinburgh International Film Festival and was released by Icon on July 24th 2015. The film won Best Film at the 2015 Scottish BAFTAs. Director Colin Kennedy’s first-feature, Swung, also premiered at EIFF and was released in the UK on December 11th 2015.
Sigma also have a charity arm, JUMPCUT, dedicated to providing opportunities in the screen industries to young people. The 2014 JUMPCUT Summer Production short film, Dropping Off Michael has won several awards from international film festivals.
Film City Glasgow
Sigma is also responsible for Film City Glasgow, a production and post-production facility located in the old Govan Town Hall.[4] The building is home to post-production companies Serious and Savalas and production companies including Keo, Finestripe and Hopscotch. It has also been used as a studio for television productions including CBBC's School of Silence and Channel 4's Iron Chef UK.[6]
Filmography
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References
- ↑ http://screenbase.screendaily.com/production-companies/136
- 1 2 Mitchell, Wendy (2 March 2011). "You Instead premiere and Sigma Films anniversary party". Screen Daily. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 Martin-Jones, David (2010). Scotland: Global Cinema : Genres, Modes and Identities. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press. pp. 224–225.
- 1 2 Fielder, Miles. "Interview: David Mackenzie on Perfect Sense and You Instead". The List (Edinburgh/Glasgow). Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ↑ Soho Shorts blog, 30 June 2009
- ↑ Bevir, George (23 May 2013). "Film City draws up plans to develop space in Glasgow". Broadcast.