Edinburgh Film Festival

Ahh... Edinburgh - the madness of the fringe, the serenity of the book festival, the aesthetics of the Arts Festival and the joy of cinema at the film festival combine to make me one inspired and happy creative producer...

Seeing Warhol's lifesize print, 'Silver Elvis', in the flesh at the Scottish National Gallery was one of the highlights of my trip - definitely worth catching and great programming alongside the film festival.

Warhol was a hoarder and obsessed with capturing aspects of his life for future record, including recording the conversations he had during the day. He kept everything and when he moved from one studio to another he boxed up truckloads of his personal hoardings and transferred it to his new studio. Each box had a date stamp on it. These boxes of letters, receipts, telegrams, photos, programmes, sketches, became his time capsules. A few have been opened and are on display at this exhibition alongside his classic 'screen tests'.

A film i quite liked when it came out is Mary Harron's 'I Shot Andy Warhol' based on the true life story of 60s radical feminist, Valerie Solanas (who shot Andy Warhol). I am very interested in this cross-fertilisation between art and film. The way in to many film ideas for writer/directors is an image - a strong image that just would not go away. A great movie from last year, The lives of others began in part as the image of a man with headphones listening.

I find this a good approach to get on the same page as those writer/directors i work with. What is the central image of this film that keeps you awake at night? If this image can be captured and conveyed - it really helps others to 'see' the film. Which can help a script or pitch come to life.