Broch screenplay heads for prestigious Hollywood awards
A FRASERBURGH screenwriter's work has been nominated for a prestigious award in Hollywood.
Mark Jackson's script 'Beefeaters' has been selected as a finalist as an official selection at the Burbank International Film Festival in California.
Beefeaters, a historical adventure, has been selected as a top ten finalist from scripts submitted from around the world.
Working on Beefeaters, meant Mark carrying out research at the Tower of London and the Gordon Highlanders Museum.
A delighted Mark told the Herald: "Being nominated is a big step forward. It has given me a real boost. Regardless of how the script fares in the competition, I hope that it will be read by film producers in the States and receive a favourable reaction."
The festival is being held later this month at Burbank, California: "Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the festival, but in this business you have to travel hopefully and be persistent.
"Certainly as a result of the nomination, there has been some interest from UK producers and I hope it continues, he said.
Mark's achievements have been applauded by Banff and Buchan MP, Eilidh Whiteford. She told the Herald: "I'd like to congratulate Mark on his success in reaching the final stages of this prestigious competition.
"Mark came to Fraserburgh as a young journalist nearly 20 years ago, and it's great that he's been able to develop his creative writing talents here.
"I'm sure the whole town will wish Mark well with Beefeaters and will hope to see this great screenplay in production before too long."
Also praising his nomination was Saskia Gibbon, Aberdeenshire Council Arts Development Officer: "Mark's success with the Burbank International Film Festival is a significant achievment and a milestone in his professional development.
"It also shows that work produced here in the north-east of Scotland is finding support and recognition with a transatlantic audience."
The Director of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Virginia Mayes-Wright, who hosted two of Mark's short films last year added: "Mark Jackson is clearly a talented film maker. His showcase of 'Smith' was a really exciting event to host at the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. We also owe Mark a debt of gratitude for the work he and others did on our stunning audio visual," she said.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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