A Scottish independent feature film led by a University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate is nearing completion after receiving the equivalent of £25,000 worth of support in the form of access to professional filmmaking equipment from the University.

Still Falling, written and directed by UWS MA Filmmaking graduate Harvey Gardner and long-time creative collaborator Arthur Johnson, is a coming-of-age drama that follows three friends who return to the hut where they spent their childhood summers, when their group numbered four. Their search for a time capsule buried years earlier forces them to confront the loss that brought their friendship to an end.

The in-kind support makes UWS the film’s largest investor to date, having provided professional camera, lighting and sound equipment through its Creative Media Academy. Current students have also joined the production as trainees, while around 10 UWS graduates have taken on roles across the crew.

The Filming has taken place around Carbeth in Stirlingshire, making use of the area’s huts, woodland and the nearby Campsie Fells.

Harvey, an award-winning filmmaker whose short film UFO won Best Postgraduate Drama at the Royal Television Society Student Awards in 2020, said the University’s support had allowed an ambitious independent production to progress while creating opportunities for emerging Scottish filmmakers.

He said: “Making a feature film independently is a huge undertaking, so the equipment and practical support from UWS have made a real difference to what we have been able to achieve.

 

It’s also been brilliant to see current students and graduates working together across the production. The participation of the students has been invaluable, and we’ve been delighted to provide them with training and mentorship on a live set. For us, it’s about bringing together the resources of UWS with the next generation of filmmakers, giving them the chance to gain crucial experience and take their first steps into the industry.  

 

“We’re now very close to completing production and want to give the film the strongest possible finish. The support we receive through the Crowdfunder will help us take that final step.”

The production team is seeking to raise £16,000 to meet its remaining production and post-production costs, including editing, visual effects, animation, transport, location permits and film festival fees.

Creative Scotland has agreed to match individual donations of up to £250, meaning eligible contributions made through the campaign will be doubled. The Crowdfunder is due to close at 11.35pm on Tuesday 8 September.

Professor Nick Higgins, Director of the UWS Creative Media Academy, who is also acting as an executive producer on the production, said: “Our support for Still Falling is about much more than providing equipment. It’s an investment in Scottish creative talent and in the careers our students and graduates are working hard to build.

“Low budget independent feature films like this give emerging filmmakers the experience of working on a professional set and the opportunity to form relationships that can continue throughout their careers.

 

Harvey and his team have shown enormous commitment in getting the film this far. We kept our promise to support them when production resumed and we hope others will now help them complete the film and bring it to national and international audiences.

 

Harvey previously graduated from the MA Filmmaking programme delivered by UWS at Film City Glasgow. The University delivers its BA (Hons) Filmmaking and Screen Writing programme at its Ayr campus, placing a strong emphasis on practical production experience and links with Scotland’s screen industries.

To support Still Falling and find out more about the film, visit the Crowdfunder campaign.