Films in the Park

Sunday September 9 saw some busy goings-on on Glasgow Green. Large pavilions were erected opposite a giant stage with big screens at either side of it. Stormtroopers and men wearing rocket packs mingled with the public as they filed in through the security gates. Was this another summer music festival? No - it was the BBC's first ever summer festival of film.

The show began with the appearance of compère Danny Wallace, gurning uncomfortably before what he seemed to have expected would be a much bigger crowd, but picked up as he introduced BBC creative director Alan Yentob. "We know that in Scotland you're all passionate about film," Yentob proclaimed, playing to the crowd. "The BBC has been involved with film for a very long time. This is an opportunity for you to get involved."

Hands-on involvement was very much what the day turned out to be about, and it was well received by the many young people and families who made their way there. The facilities for children were especially impressive, including an activity tent where make-up artists constructed wounds and scars, flick-book making, badge making and the chance to use green screen technology to fly like Superman.

Alex and pal Lewis had a great day out

There was also an opportunity for young attendees to make their own films, working on groups of fifteen divided into cast and crew. "I was the guy who wears the headphones and stands at the back," said young Lewis. "It was lots of fun." "I was an actor and I got to dress up as a mouse," explained his friend Alex. "There was lots of amazing stuff. At the start they showed us a Doctor Who clip and then we got to decide how it would go and we made our own clip. There was a director who bossed us all about. At the end we put the bits together and got to see the movie we'd made."

Actor Atta Yaqub talked about his career

Adults, too, had lots to enjoy. The most popular venue by far was the Meet The Film-Makers tent, where celebrities including Scots veteran Brian Cox, Ae Fond Kiss star Atta Yaqub and and Hallam Foe's Ewen Bremner answered questions and talked about their careers.

Directors Stephen Frears (The Queen), Richard Eyre (Notes On A Scandal), Gillies MacKinnon (Regeneration) and Antonia Bird (Ravenous) also put in an appearance, along with writers Jeremy Brock (Driving Lessons) and Kevin Hood (Becoming Jane).

Many attendees were interested in getting involved in the film industry themselves and the event provided useful information on how to do so. Some of this gave a rather rose-tinted perspective of the industry, but the presence of lots of ordinary crew members talking about their daily experiences helped to balance this. A session in which the public got to talk to a stuntman, with one lucky boy enjoying the privilege of smashing a 'glass' bottle over his head, was particularly popular. It was a shame that this ended with a drawn-out, heavy-handed speech about the evils of copyright theft, which failed to engage the sympathies of the audience - but by and large it was a successful event.

Many in the crowd were able to find out useful information on film-making

With all this going on, the event must have been a nightmare to manage, and the staff on the ground did a really impressive job. Helping to maintain the sense that it was one big festival rather than just a series of smaller activities was the BBC Big Band, whose booming renditions of popular theme tunes, from the Pearl & Dean music to The Pink Panther, resonated across the green throughout much of the day. They were aided by the vocal talents of Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus.

When they were taking a break, Bollywood got a look in, with the Monsoon Dancers proving popular with the crowd. There was also a Bollywood dance class where attendees could try out some of those moves for themselves. The day ended with a presentation of Spider-Man 3 on the big screens. By then the weather was cold and not a little damp, but that's what you get for holding an outdoor festival in Scotland in September. Nevertheless, everyone seemed to have a great time, and all those I spoke to said they'd love the chance to come back for more next year.