Meet the Marketing Manager

Kirsty's Blog
Recent Happenings at HANDS ON Headquarters


Hello readers. I am Kirsty, and I am the Marketing Manager for HANDS ON. Unlike Perry, I haven't been in the film/TV/theatre industry for thirty years... in fact, I am relatively new to all this. However, I thought I would share my insights into the crazy world of hiring out guns, ordering bespoke swords, rigging up comedians and rugby teams and meeting the people behind some weird and wonderful projects.


Lately we have met some lovely people working hard on amazing stuff. Had a nice chat with the guys at Kilbarchan East Drama Group who tapped into our now-famous Steamie knowledge when they put on the production in June. They had made the whole set from scratch, including working sinks and authentic looking bottles o' ginger. Good effort (view some photos of their work here.)


When I am not chatting away to customers, my day job includes updating the website, designing and sending out the e-flyers and keeping our social media up to date (on Twitter and Facebook.) I am learning a lot about using Adobe Flash in order to create more interactive web content for our customers. My favourite project so far has been letting Albert the Knight - our suit of armour - spread his interesting facts, HANDS ON musings and hilarious Middle Ages jokes with our customers through his Facebook page. 


I spent yesterday helping Perry (our Technical Director and the source of all the interesting stories in this Blog) catalogue all of his live firearms. We have loads... and I am pleased to report that I can now tell the difference between a Moisin Nagant, a Luger and a Beretta. Sort of. These are the guns which can only go out on hire if Perry (an armourer) goes out with them, so they are mainly for film and TV use. He must have some good stories about who has handled his weapons....


At the moment I am working on a lot of events-related marketing material. We want to let everyone know - especially venues - that they can work with us on events and weddings to create something really unique and memorable. An e-flyer to Fringe venues and wedding venues is coming soon, as well as some adverts and meetings. Tell everyone you know! (Also, DON'T BUY CHEAP GAFFER TAPE! As my mum always says, if you buy cheap you buy twice!) 

Great Scottish Films

Perry’s Blog

Great Scottish Films

The British film industry is alive and well – and can be found thriving in Scotland. The proof, if proof is needed, can be found in the form of three excellent films released this year by Scottish filmmakers… and they are already doing rather nicely, thank you very much. HANDS ON were fortunate to be involved in all three: the rom-com Fast Romance, the horror film Blooded and Ewan McGregor’s latest, Perfect Sense.

Perfect Sense stars Ewan McGregor as Michael, who falls in love with Susan, played by Eva Green. Their romance blossoms amid a global pandemic which gradually robs people of their senses. A scary but hopeful movie, with HANDS ON weapons adding to the tension.

Bodily functions provides a tenuous link to the second film, Blooded. Here we see five young people being chased through the Highlands and shot at by an extreme animal rights group... with the tagline “If you hunt, you’re fair game.” The film was released on DVD in April, and has received excellent reviews. I provided the bullet hits, weapons and other special effects. I was also responsible for hanging the lead actress upside down during a torture scene – the things I have to do!

Finally, to something more cheerful: the third film we assisted with, Fast Romance. Directed by Carter Ferguson, this is a feel-good movie set in Glasgow following the love (and speed-dating) adventures of seven people. Due for theatrical release on July 1^st 2011, it will showcase at the Edinburgh Film Festival along with Perfect Sense. (More info.) We once more provided weapons and general technical advice – and we can’t wait to see the finished result.

This month, MovieScope magazine is extolling the virtues of filming in Scotland and using Scottish locations, crew and facilities - it is so true. And I can’t wait to get involved in the next batch of projects which come along.