Please read Understanding catalogue records for help interpreting this information and Using footage for more information about accessing this film.

Title: FIRST REELS INTERVIEW: Gillian Steel, Chemicals and Illuminants

Reference number: 8090

Date: 1993

Sound: sound

Colour: col

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 11.30 minsc

Description: Raw interview footage with director Gillian Steel, concerning her short film CHEMICALS AND ILLUMINANTS, made under the Scottish Film Council and Scottish Television's First Reels scheme.

Scottish Screen Archive does not currently hold the complete film (correct at February 2010)

First Reels - a joint short film initiative from Scottish Screen (and its predecessor body the Scottish Film Council) and Scottish Television. First Reels was launched during 1991 by Scottish Film Council in response to a perceived need for small grants to help young and first time film-makers to make or complete their first film or video project. Scottish Television came in as co-sponsor at an early stage and as well as contributing to half the funds they have given the scheme a tremendous public relations boost by running three half hour documentaries showing excerpts from the First Reels. Applicants were invited to submit projects in any format and on any subject they chose. All entries were considered by a jury and thirty five projects were given grants varying from £50 to £2000. On show at the GFT are a representative selection of the best of the films and videos supported by the scheme. [Editorial from Scottish Film Council held in paper archives]

Credits: [interviewee Gillian Steel]

Shotlist: Raw interview footage with director Gillian Steel, concerning her short film CHEMICALS AND ILLUMINANTS, made under the Scottish Film Council and Scottish Television's First Reels scheme.

Discusses: "I wanted to make a film about how something subtle in the environment can effect a physical change in the body and in turn affect the way that we feel & act". The character wants to escape from that particular element, sometimes hallucinating, and growing eccentric. She wanted the film to have a particular pulse, loop, external rhythms in the world can affect our lives - for example Winter and it's short days against the frantic energy of Spring returning. The film is a riddle, with the central character giving clues. The answer to riddle is given at end of film when the word 'light' is spoken and the light goes out. The film features the ordinary mixed with the bizarre so animation techniques are used, time lapse and masks on film without the use of hi-tech equipment. Film-maker physically applied the look to the film, hand treated about 2000 frames. She liked having a restricted amount of money and basic equipment - to push this to the limit, getting something from very little. Favourite bit of film? Where she is floating in water supposedly in control and has light reflecting on palm of her hand.