Image source, bbc

Green MSP Ross Greer points out there is a tenant farmer on the Pentland site that is not willing to move.

Mr Greer argues there is too much emphasis on the Pentland site.

Mr Munro argues the legal matter is being dealt with and Pentland are confident they have the investors lined up.

The Creative Scotland chief exec tells the committee incentives can be engaged with.

Scotland can sustain more and another studio beyond Pentland can be looked at, he posits.

Image source, PENTLAND STUDIOS

Planning permission for Scotland's first purpose-built film and TV studio in Midlothian was formally granted by Scottish ministers last December

Pentland Studios will be built at Straiton, near Edinburgh.

It is understood the studio could be operational by the end of this year.

The studio, which will feature six huge sound stages, will be built on about 100 acres of greenbelt land at Old Pentland Farm. It is said up to 1,600 jobs could be created by the project.

It will be built in phases and will eventually also feature two backlots, a hotel, visitor centre, film academy, energy centre, workshops and a creative industries hub as well as the film and TV studio.

Read more here.

"I completely accept the frustration about the film studio situation," says Mr Price.

"I am confident that this proposal that we've got will see something happen very soon."

Image source, bbc

Creative Scotland head of film education and acting director Scott Donaldson tells the committee there is a film develoment and production fund of £4m and a TV fund of £3m in the pipe line.

Mr Donaldson says skills and talent are being developed to enhance indiginous growth.

He states sustainable production is the key and accepts it is Creative Scotland's role to create talent and take risks.

Green MSP Ross Greer asks how the screen unit will reduce fragmentation to support smaller companies in the sector.

Chief exec Iain Munro points to a live pilot called Focus, where 28 companies have been given access to business development support through a single front door.

Mr Greer asks if there is a scrutinisable plan in place for attracting inward investment.

Mr Munro confirms the screen commission is active internationally.

Image source, STARZ/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

The tourism sector has long been savvy to how a big TV or cinema hit can draw in visitors - and Scotland is cashing in on the success of Outlander.

The adventures of a 1940s nurse, transported back in time to the Jacobite rebellions in the Highlands, has captured the imaginations of millions of fans worldwide. There's no shortage of small tour operators ready to guide them around filming locations or sites steeped in the history of the period.

Image source, VISITSCOTLAND

The Glenfinnan Monument to the fallen Jacobite clansmen saw a 58% increase in visitor numbers last year, reaching nearly 400,000. Nearby is another film tourism opportunity - the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.

"Historic Environment Scotland have seen a really significant increase in some of their properties - castles which ordinarily are popular but not visited by thousands of people. Because of the success of Outlander, for example, they've seen a real boost in film tourism," said Bernard Donaghue.

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead raises concerns about the lack of direct focus of having the screen unit within Creative Scotland rather than standalone.

Board member Barclay Price says Creative Scotland recognises the need to give the new team and the executive director full support to move it forward.

"I really don't think the structure is as important as the team of people we have working on it."

Mr Price highlights the success of bringing Outlander to Scotland.

Image source, bbc

Ms McAlpine says there should be someone who is entirely focused on screen to head up the unit.

Mr Price tries to reassure the sector and the committee the shortlist all came from that sector.

Labour MSP Claire Baker tells the witnesses the interim report was necessary to address issues that arose during the inquiry.

Ms Baker asks for a responds to the committee wanting an independent screen unit, not one sitting within Creative Scotland.

Creative Scotland deputy chief executive Iain Munro replies this is for the Scottish government to decide, but he argues Creative Scotland holds the lead responsibility for screen and that they are serious about that.

Ms McAlpine asks again when the business plan and portal will be available.

Mr Munro confirms it will be published in the summer and it is being worked on at the moment.

We cannot be certain of the exact timing until an executive director is in post, he adds.

Pressed on the recruitment process for this, Mr Munro confirms six candidates have been shortlisted with interviews to take place in June.

Plans to attract more film and TV productions to Scotland are inadequate, according to this committee, who have called for a radical rethink.

The Scottish government has backed proposals to create a screen unit within the Creative Scotland arts body., external

The committee said this risked being too "cumbersome" and "overly bureaucratic" for such a fast-moving industry.

It has called on ministers to instead set up an independent screen agency.

Image source, bbc

MSPs said the move could help attract more major productions to Scotland, develop its creative sector and boost the country's profile to the rest of the world.

Work to set up the screen unit within Creative Scotland - whose board is accountable to and appointed by the Scottish government - is already under way.

But the committee said fresh plans should now be drawn up "for how it can be transformed into a standalone agency".

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Ms McAlpine says the industry have asked for a "single front door or portal".

The committee convener asks when will we see this.

Mr Munro replies that is "very much in train".

It should emerge when the executive director of the screen unit is announced, he says.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Culture Committee agreed to conduct an inquiry into how the Screen Sector Leadership Group, external’s report recommendations on strengthening and developing the Scottish screen sector can be implemented.

The report set out a series of actions that could be achieved in the next five years if there was strong leadership, a comprehensive strategy and appropriate investment and support for the sector.

Read the evidence received by the committee, external

For more on the inquiry visit the Scottish Parliament website here, external.

The convener asks about a timescale for the new screen unit.

Creative Scotland's deputy chief exec Iain Munro says we are two months into the process of a five year plan.

He accepts people have been waiting for some time and gives assurances that Creative Scotland is moving as fast and appropriately as possible.

The chief exec emphasises this importance of getting this right.

Convener Joan McAlpine confirms today is the final evidence session on Scotland's screen sector and a report will be published before summer recess.

She introduces the first panel:

• Creative Scotland, external deputy chief executive Iain Munro
• Creative Scotland head of film education and acting director Scott Donaldson
• Creative Scotland board member Barclay Price

The Culture Committee, external will take evidence on Scotland's screen sector from:

• Creative Scotland, external deputy chief executive Iain Munro
• Creative Scotland head of film education and acting director Scott Donaldson
• Creative Scotland board member Barclay Price

Image source, Starz/Marvel/Walt Disney/BBC

• Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop
• Dr Jonathan Pryce from the Scottish government, external
• Jane Holligan from the Scottish government

Image source, BBC/Marvel/Walt Disney

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Thursday 31 May 2018.

The Culture Committee, external will take evidence on Scotland's screen sector from Fiona Hyslop and Creative Scotland.

After general questions, we will bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions.

Image source, PA

Tory MSP Miles Briggs will then host a debate on improving Edinburgh's city bypass.

After lunch, rural economy and connectivity and environment, climate change and land reform ministers face portfolio questions from MSPs.

Image source, Geograph

After that, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will deliver the first statement on the medium term financial strategy.

Ending the day is the final debate on the Housing (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.