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29/12/02.
Two new TV series for Kev - White Clouds and The Key, both by BBC. Rumour Mill is turning. Kev in Tomb Raider II: Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life? Read this...

From Press and Journal:
Mr McKidd's mother Kath said: "He is going to be working on Tomb Raider II with Angelina Jolie at the end of October. (the whole article is in words.)

More about the Christmas Lights in Lossiemouth, again from Press and Journal.

LIGHT
THOUSANDS WATCH FILM STAR TURN ON LOSSIEMOUTH'S FESTIVE SEASON LIGHTS

HAZEL LAWSON

09:00 - 02 December 2002

Thousands of fans lined the streets of Lossiemouth on Saturday to see film star Kevin McKidd switch on the town's Christmas lights.

The Elgin-born actor, who has starred in films including Trainspotting and Dog Soldiers, has recently completed filming in Tomintoul for his new movie The Bum's Rush.

Kevin said he was overwhelmed by the response of the crowd as admirers waved and blew kisses as he officially turned on the lights.

He said: "It's really nice to be asked to do this.

"I just finished filming in Tomintoul and I'm travelling down to Glasgow now, so this has fitted in well."

After a slight delay, prompting Kevin to ask someone to put 50p in the electric meter, the lights illuminated Lossiemouth's main thoroughfare, kicking off the festive celebrations.

Chairman of the Lossiemouth Millennium Association Michael Burns said the group had raised £70,000 over the past three years, enabling the Christmas lights to be extended for about a mile along Clifton Road.

It is the third time the coastal town has welcomed a celebrity to begin its Christmas festivities. Last year, Australian soap star Jansen Spencer, who played Paul McClain in Neighbours, attended the event, while Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, whose brother, Colin, is serving at RAF Lossiemouth, performed the honours.

The pipes and drums of 2622 Highland Squadron heralded Kevin's arrival and played him along the esplanade in an open-topped bus.

There was also a fairground, fireworks, street entertainers and more than 20 stalls.

Kevin will begin working on a new film of Greyfriars' Bobby in January and will appear on television screens next year in the BBC drama The Key, which focuses on political and social change in Glasgow during the past century.

There was also a blaze of Christmas colour in Forres and Elgin on Saturday, when hundreds turned out for their lights switch-on. Schoolboy Andrew Jackson, 11, of East End Primary was the envy of his schoolmates as he lit up the centre of Elgin.

This year's event was to have taken place on November 23, but preparations were delayed because of the floods which hit Elgin the weekend befor

15/12/02.
Kevin is currently filming The Bum's Rush in Tomintoul. He switched on the Christmas light show for Lossiemouth Millenium Association on 30 Nov. A picture from that day is available in sight, under misc (thanks Adam). He also presented the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards in Glasgow with Brian Cox, Gerard Butler, Daniela Nardini and Denis Lawson early this month. He should be filming Greyfriars Bobby next.

From Scotland Today about the filming of The Bum's Rush:

(much thanks to Sylvia of The Bum's Rush fansite)

November 12, 2002
Scotland Today
Curling takes to the silver screen
author unavailable

(see the video here - real player needed)

Now it may not have a reputation as a glamorous sport but the world of curling is to become the setting of a new Scottish film. The Bums' Rush is being produced by actor Dougray Scott who also has a small role in the black comedy.

With production starting next week in the Highlands, the star and the rest of cast gingerly took to the ice for their first practice session.

The actors' first curling practice proved an amusing interruption to this afternoon's game for the ladies of Greenacres Curling Club, as the cast of Scotland's latest film line up for their first venture onto the ice.

Dougray Scott said: "I play a small part, Frankie the fence whose life is the curling club, know a lot of people have passions in their life, some have football, others golf, Frankie has curling, a bit sad really, shouldnt say that. Its a very good game, I've just had a go and its good fun."

Stewart Svaasand, the writer and director, said: "We do hope that we can do curlers some justice and they dont look like complete novices but we are under no illusions that after one lesson, they are not going to be the finished article."

The film follows three friends whose lives are changed forever when they think they strike gold in the hills but their plans are ruined when it comes to the attention of the local curling club. For the moment, the stars are more concerned with just keeping upright.

Jamie Sives said: "We watched all these ladies playing it earlier and they were making it look very easy but as soon as we got on the ice we were all over the place."

Kevin McKidd added: "I'm just doing the brooming thing, I don't know what it's called, the back and forth with the stick. I don't think I'll be frequenting the curling rink after this, it's a bit too nippy for me as well."

The cast will have to get used to those chilly temperatures, with filming due to get underway next week, it seems they will have to put in plenty of practise.

From Northern Scot about the Christmas lights:

Channel dash saves memorial tribute plan

A CLOVER leaf Christmas light, created in memory of a young Lossiemouth father,
needed a touch of luck – and a special cross-Channel flight – to get it to the town on time to be lit up by film star Kevin McKidd.
With just hours to go before Saturday’s switch-on ceremony, the light in the design of the Celtic Football Club emblem was rushed to the town from a factory in France and errected on the cliff face at the war memorial – in time to feature in the town’s glittering festive lights show.
The memorial light for Mr Stewart Scott (36), a dedicated member of the Lossiemouth Millennium Association, who collapsed and died in July following an asthma attack, was switched on as part of the display by the Elgin-born star of films including “Trainspotting” and “Dog Soldiers”.
Kevin (29), who has been filming his latest role in Tomintoul, said he was unused to making public appearances but was delighted to take up the invitation from the association.
A crowd of around 6,000 turned out to cheer him on as he made his way through the town on an open-top double decker bus, led by 2622 Highland Squadron Pipe Band, and accompanied by family and representatives from the Millennium Association, which took up the challenge of fund-raising and organising the Christmas lights show following the success of its initial Millennium celebrations.
The star was heralded by Lossiemouth town crier Mr Alan Nicholls and welcomed by association chairman Mr Michael Burns, who thanked everyone on the committee for their hard work.
Taking centre-stage, Kevin told the cheering crowd: “It’s funny being asked to do this because when I was a loon, I was chased by the Lossie loons. I’m flattered to be asked and hope you have a great night.”
After a countdown, the twinkling lights gradually began to illuminate, with the slight delay promoting Kevin to quip he would return next year to switch on the other half. The esplanade was packed with stalls and a funfair ran at Station Park.
Entertainment included music from Smuggler, Moray Concert Brass and Hythehill Primary School Choir. The family fun evening included a fireworks show which lit up the sky.
As a token of appreciation, Kevin was presented with a quaich and bottle of whisky with a commemorative label by the Millennium Association.
Lossiemouth now boasts a mile of Christmas lights, with the display expanded this year to take in Clifton Road all the way down to School Brae, thanks to the success of fund-raising efforts and the generosity of the community, said Mr Burns.
Among the delighted on-lookers at Saturday’s switch-on was Mr Steven McHaffie, a director
of Scotia Animation, Aberdeen, who made the dash to Bordeaux to collect the newest light, which has joined the memorial light to fellow Millennium Association member the late Mr Duncan Crawford and one commemorating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Fellow director Mr Iain Hawthorne said the company has been pleased to have supplied lights to Lossiemouth over the past three years and had worked closely with Mr Scott.
Part of the collection at his funeral was donated to the Millennium Association which felt it was fitting that a light be created and as he was a Celtic fanatic, Scotia Animation was asked to produce the one-off design.
Mr Hawthorne said: “When we were entrusted with the responsibility of helping give this accolade to Mr Scott, we took that responsibility very seriously. Due to the detail of the design, we placed the order timeously with our partner in France but then the lorry strike meant it was stuck out there.
“The carrier assured us delivery would be made on time but at 3pm on the Thursday, just two days before the lights switch-on, we were told they couldn’t guarantee delivery.”
Mr McHaffie immediately booked a flight to France and the following day flew to Bordeaux to collect the lighting feature personally. He flew back with it travelling as cargo and the company was happy to undertake the additional expense to ensure the light got to Lossiemouth on time.
“It had a happy ending after all and we were glad to have been a part of Lossiemouth’s celebrations,” Mr Hawthorne added..
Northern Scot 5 Dec 02

From the same paper about the filming of The Bum's Rush:

Showbiz sets Tomintoul a-buzzing

IT WAS lights, camera, action in Tomintoul as cameras started rolling for a new multi-million pound movie.
The streets of the village were transformed into a film set as work began on production of “The Bum’s Rush” – the new film being produced by Scots screen heart-throb Dougray Scott.
A 70-strong cast and crew have been in Tomintoul for the past four weeks preparing to shoot scenes, but it has only last week that the action really started.
Stars of the movie are said to include Moray’s own Kevin McKidd, Neve McIntosh and veteran actor Dennis Lawson.
But local people, as well as Tomintoul landmarks, are also finding themselves in the frame. Dozens of residents have been able to get parts as extras after the crew stuck up posters in the village post office appealing for rising stars.
A number of houses have been used as locations, and residents have even been called on to root around their homes to find props.
Mrs Hazel Penny, who has a walk-on background part, said that everyone in Tomintoul had been very enthusiastic.
“Everyone is very keen to help them and make it a success. We are all right behind it,” she said.
Mr Steve Crombie, who is also appearing as an extra, added: “I saw the poster in the post office and I just decided to give it a bash.
“Maybe the film will bring people into the place. It has done the local economy the power of good and will bring some money into the area, even though it is just for a short time.”
Filming last week was centred around Birnie’s baker and grocery shop in Main Street. On Tuesday, the crew spent most of the day shooting a scene outside the store, and were seen sprinkling false snow around the streets.
“The Bum’s Rush” has delivered a massive boost to the local economy at one of the quietest times of the year. Hotels which had shut down for the winter season have reopened to accommodate the influx of visitors who have been regular customers at local shops.
Postmistress Mrs Barbara Abdy said villagers were delighted to be in the spotlight. She added: “It is really nice to see the place so busy. It’s usually so quiet at this time of year and it has been wonderful to see so many people out on the streets.”
Local minister Rev Sven Bjarnason said he hoped there would also be a long-term spin off for Tomintoul if people wanted to come and visit the place where “The Bum’s Rush” had been made.
“It has worked for other towns so hopefully the same will happen for Tomintoul,” he said.
The production crew had identified Tomintoul as a location for the film some time ago.
“The Bum’s Rush” tells a tale of three friends who believe they have struck gold in the Highlands. It is not yet known when it will be released.
28 Nov 02

16/10/02.
The short film, That Old One, will be shown at London Film Festival with a group of short films under the title Love and Sex.
The showing time are as follow
18/11 (Mon) 18.30 @ NTF3
19/11 (Tue) 13.45 @ NTF2
Nicholas Nickleby will go on a limited release on 27 Dec in Los Angeles and New York. There are plans for a wider release after the first couple of weeks.

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