GMAC FILM STAFF:
Paddy Higson
Chief Executive Officer
Paddy Higson joined the staff team at GMAC Film in February 2019, having been Chair of the Board for the previous three years. She was a film and television producer of note for nearly forty years; made an Honorary Doctor of Drama by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2012, and was awarded a BAFTA for her Outstanding Contribution to the Industry by BAFTA Scotland in 2018.
I was delighted to accept the challenge of leading GMAC Film to a truly sustainable future over the next couple of years, and will be looking to all friends and colleagues past and present to assist me in doing this. We are launching a Membership, Donation and Sponsorship drive this year with the aim of enhancing the charitable work that we do for our target groups – free at the point of delivery.
Beth Armstrong
Creative Director
Beth studied Documentary Direction at the National Film & Television School before returning to Scotland in 2000. She has worked as a freelance filmmaker for broadcast and commercials, and has managed filmmaking and training projects for a wide range of community organisations and for BBC Scotland. She has been working with GMAC Film since 2005 and became Director in 2018.
I was first drawn to GMAC Film because of its ethos of inclusion, equality and its support of local grassroots filmmakers. I am passionate about creating a vibrant and diverse screen sector in Scotland and believe that GMAC Film has a unique contribution to make in supporting this development.
Marion Ferguson
General Manager
After 7 years as Gallery Manager at Glasgow Print Studio, Marion completed her Mlitt in Fine Art Practice in 2014 before working freelance until early 2019. Her passion for a more diverse creative sector in Scotland brought her to GMAC Film.
I love working with people so heading the Creative Hub is an amazing place to be. Connecting people from diverse backgrounds and facilitating collaboration between the groups who use our hub supports the outreach work we do. It’s this daily activity I enjoy the most, knowing it’s contributing to an even bigger picture and our aim of a more inclusive screen industry.
Lisa Doherty
Project Manager
Lisa joined the GMAC Film team in May 2019. She is passionate about working with individuals, communities and groups to create more equal and sustainable communities on a local and global scale. Lisa has experience of managing a varied range of charity and third sector projects in Glasgow, London and South Africa.
I am passionate and driven looking to create high- quality programmes at GMAC Film, that are fun and impactful for young people and adults taking part. I hope to create more opportunities that support the growth and sustainability at GMAC Film.
Anthony Chalmers
Project Coordinator
Anthony is an independent filmmaker and youth worker. After producing his own work, he created a youth filmmaking programme which he runs with a community youth project. He is an organiser of the Glasgow Film Crew, a grassroots network for independent filmmakers to produce films. He regularly hosts workshops/events, and has produced content for local businesses and community organisations.
I love the support GMAC gives to independent filmmakers, as well as the work we do creating diverse youth film programmes. I hope to help develop more programmes that continue to be exciting and impactful to the lives of young people.
Gary J Hewitt
Operations Assistant (Media Tech)
Gary is an award winning filmmaker who studied at the university of West of Scotland. He has worked on shows like Big Brother, X Factor & River City. Gary also directed feature film Cleek which was distributed on DVD in 2018. Before joining GMAC Film Gary worked as a Casting Assistant for Mad Dog 2020 Casting.
GMAC Film has always supported me since I started my career in film. I hope by taking up the role of Operations Assistant I can support up and coming filmmakers and also those who are currently working in the industry.
Lucy Duncombe
Operations Assistant (Admin and Reception)
Having graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 2010, Lucy has worked freelance in sound and music, performing internationally and more recently conducting a choir for an arts project in the Cairngorms. She is interested in widening access to the arts, having herself benefited from time, support and resources that have opened up opportunities for her to realise her own artistic work.
The most recent addition to the GMAC Film Team, I’ve been taken aback by the diversity of projects and activities that GMAC Film enables through offering dedicated time, space and resources to filmmakers. Each day is unique, and it’s been a pleasure to be help deliver its remit and support our lovely team.
GMAC Film Board of Directors
Mark Langdon
Chairperson
Mark has over 25 years experience in the Community Learning Development field, has worked at the Community Learning Development Standards Council and currently works closely with partners in Education at Glasgow City Council as a Family Learning Officer employed by Glasgow Life. A member of the International Community Development Association and a registered practitioner with the CLD Standards Council Mark is providing input into aligning the CLD Framework of Ethics and Values to informing the design and delivery of the project.
Andy Harris
Andy has always been an admirer of GMAC Film, when asked to become a board member he was delighted to accept. As a working Production Designer in the film and TV business he hopes that his knowledge and experience will be of benefit to GMAC Film.
He has enjoyed a career working on feature film and television productions in locations from the Outer Hebrides to Europe, Africa and the US,from low budget projects to high-end productions. Andy has worked with directors such as Bill Forsyth, Terence Davies, Hugh Hudson, and Gillies Mackinnon. He would love to work on more Scottish based dramas both classic and modern.
Linda Campbell
Linda is a writer who has GMAC Film in her blood. A late starter, she was weaned on Cafe Flicker and was GMAC Film’s first mature trainee. Linda initiated and ran ‘Write, Camera, Action!’ workshops and was selected for a Foot In The Door Producer Programme, one of many innovate initiatives GMAC Film are reputed for, all of which provided a grounded and inspiring platform to kick start her screenwriting career.
I would love to see GMAC Film recognised by Industry partners as the inclusive, inspiring, innovative hub for filmmakers it is! For new and established partners to trust and capitalise on GMAC Film’s experience to widen funding, opportunities, internships and much more, across diversity, age and gender, and keep that buzz alive for all new entrants to the filmmaking community.
Rosie Street
Rosie Street was appointed to the GMAC Film Board in June 2019 – she has worked on advertising and marketing for some of Scotland’s biggest brands in both agency and client settings and currently works at D8, a branding and design agency in Glasgow.
I believe that GMAC Film changes lives through its work. I hope to enthuse potential sponsors about the help they can offer and build the brand; to increase donations and rally support for this incredible charity run by passionate, prolific people. Let’s make film accessible together.
Justine Leahy
Justine is the Head of Production at ISO Design, one of the UK’s leading digital studios. Justine brings over twenty years experience in the TV & Film sector as Line Producer and Production Manager, working across ground breaking and award winning productions, and producing BAFTA award winning short Drama.
Diversity & inclusion is central to the future of a successful vibrant film & TV industry. Diverse voices tell new stories in an exciting and fresh way, transforming audience perspective & understanding.
Marina Notaraki
Born in Greece and now resident in Scotland, Marina built on her degree in Film Studies with a Masters in Screenwriting through Screen Academy Scotland. She has contributed to a diverse range of shoots, workshops and residencies including Bellrock 2017, Talents Sarajevo 2017 and SFTN’s Scottish Shorts 2018.
Marina believes in the power of unheard stories and this is why she is part of GMAC Film. Sharing her experience as a queer, immigrant female filmmaker, she is excited to help facilitate a supportive network for marginalised voices in cinema.
Lisa Kelly
GMAC Film Youth Team
Evan Bridges
Evan has been involved with GMAC Film since he was 15, starting off with the Summer School in 2016. Now, at 18, he has been actively involved in a wide range of courses with organisations like the BFI and has a passion for film and cinematography.
In 2019 Evan won the camera department paid internship on the GMAC Film Summer School where he worked with cinematographer David Lee to pass his skills on to the next generation of young filmmakers at GMAC Film.
Ursula Grant
Although her interest in film has been a life long ambition, Ursula became more devoted to film after completing her Higher Media qualification in secondary school.
The creativity and industry skills that this required propelled her to receive an NCFE Level 2 award with the BFI Film Academy through GMAC Film. After being given the opportunity to be on the Youth Team, Ursula’s interests lie in music composition for film and music technology which she is studying at University.
Taylor Goodwin
Taylor joined the Youth Team in 2018 after hearing about its recruitment day. She likes that GMAC Film finds so many ways of getting young people interested in film and has enjoyed working with the other members to create events that encourage young people to explore film further.
Taylor has taken part in GMAC Film’s Summer Schools, the BFI Film Academy and An Introduction To Film with Screen Education Edinburgh which allowed her opportunities to gain experience in filmmaking and acting. She hopes to build on these experiences and continue acting.
Biba Lexi Logan
Aidan Lynn
Aidan is a production volunteer working with several production companies, both in his local area and in Glasgow. He joined the Youth Team in August 2018 based on their strong industry connections and assists in organising all GMAC Film events, such as Cafe Flicker.
Through his connections at GMAC Film, Aidan was able to gain a work experience and shadowing opportunity in televison drama production with BBC Scotland and hopes to gain more experiences like this in Scotland’s film industry. His favourite directors are John Carpenter, David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick.
Chloe McGarvey
Luke McGlinchey
Lucas Murray-Reynolds
Since coming to GMAC Film, Lucas has helped to run a number of events with the Youth Team such as quiz nights and debates, helping young people find others with common interests. He also took part in the BFI Film Academy, which helped him to open up further opportunities.
Whether it’s working as a trainee on a feature film or Directing Photography for one of his own short films, Lucas is fairy certain the camera department is where he wants to be. As a result of being part of the BFI Film Academy, Lucas is now working as a paid intern at Pinewood Studios with an unpredicatble but exciting future ahead of him.
