Clydebank filmmaker Scott McMillan to release second film

Scott McMillan told the Post that he decided to take another look at his script for ‘The Bridge’ after making the move from the true crime genre to horror.

The 25-year-old explained his latest film is based on a well-known myth surrounding Overtoun House in Dumbarton.

The Heel Films production team shooting 'The Bridge' at Overtoun House (Image: Scott McMillan)

Scott said: “Over the last 50 years around 200 dogs have all jumped off of the bridge at Overtoun House which has resulted in, I think, 40 of them sadly dying.

“I decided to write a ghost story that further exaggerates this ‘dog suicide’ myth. It was the very first script that I ever wrote seven years ago.

“It’s about a character named Jack who is walking home on the phone and he’s being told a ghost story and he realises he may have actually been dragged into the story itself.”

Despite originally having been written seven years ago Scott decided to take another look at the script using his years of experience in the industry to “make it a bit better”.

The entire film was shot in one day and is now in the post-production phase with Scott looking forward to lots of late nights editing at his computer.

He added: “We’re in post-production now. We managed to get it all filmed in one day on October 1 with a lot of hard work and avoiding the torrential rain.

“I had a very well-oiled production team and now I’m just editing away. It’ll be a lot of long nights as well as getting the whole team’s feedback.

“Once it’s finalised I’m hoping we can enter it into some film festivals and get some more Scottish cinema out there.”

The 25-year-old explained that he feels Scottish cinema “doesn’t get enough credit” and that he’d like to see it promoted on the global stage.

Scott said: “A lot of the time, when you hear about film productions in Glasgow, it’s always stuff like Batwoman, Indiana Jones and things like that - but we do have a lot of people in Scotland who are making Hollywood-quality films featuring Scottish actors.

“The main actor of ‘The Bridge’ works in a chippy in Clydebank. There’s so much talent right here on our doorstep.

“I would love to do a screening night alongside other Scottish filmmakers where we could show four or five movies in one night.”

Scott, who grew up in Drumry, attended Clydebank College where he studied filmmaking after discovering his love for cinema whilst working at a local photography company.

He has since gone on to create and film his own feature-length movie titled ‘The Business’ which was released two years ago.

He added: “Studying filmmaking at Clydebank College was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life because it helped me meet so many people and it made me discover my love for filmmaking.

“I was originally a photographer at Boy in the Corner Photography which is now Awestruck Academy.

"I was doing wedding videos and dance shows which is when I realised I really loved working/being behind the camera.

“I also liked writing stories so I was thinking ‘how can I merge these two things together?’ and that’s when I discovered filmmaking was an option for me.

“I recently made the move from true crime into the horror genre which is one that I’ve always wanted to dip my toes into.

“For something that can be so violent and dark, horror, in my opinion, is the most inclusive genre in cinema.

“You can be a rule breaker with horror, you don’t need to follow strict guidelines of how films should be done, you can create your own style.”

‘The Bridge’ doesn’t have an official release date yet but Scott said that Bankies can expect to see it onscreen at some point next year.

It will also be available to view free of charge on Scott's YouTube channel 'Heel Films'.

Scott added: “I won’t be charging any fees as I want it to be available for everybody. Cinemas are awfully expensive now because films cost more and more to create.

“I think cinema is for everyone both as a film-maker and a viewer. Everyone should have the chance to enjoy it.”