Compact Pictures Launches New Film & TV Labels

Glasgow-based Compact Pictures is expanding with two new businesses—Compact Films and Compact Vibe—under the parent label and has appointed Laura McBride as head of development.

Compact Films will focus on producing independent features, while Compact Vibe will develop and create a range of young adult and genre series for television. Joining from Synchronicity Films, McBride will help bring in and develop new projects while working closely with Compact Pictures CEO John McKay on the company’s existing development slate.

The existing slate for Compact Films includes The Empty Space Inside My Heart and David Harrower’s crime saga 9 Deaths. For Compact Vibe, the current slate includes My Brother is a Superhero, in development for CITV, and the Baltic noir series Chosen, being developed in collaboration with Canada’s Reel One Entertainment.

Compact has also recently recruited Misha McCullagh in a development support and communications role across the business.

McKay said: “Compact Pictures has gained a great deal of traction since I launched the business and on the back of recent International Emmy, BANFF and BAFTA success with Katy, and a rapidly growing slate, the time felt right to refocus the company with the launch of the Compact Films and Compact Vibe labels. I am delighted to have Laura and Misha now join me; while I have a lifetime of experience in making films and TV series, their fresh perspectives, broad experience and youthful energy will be sure to define Compact’s output going forward and make it even more distinctive.”

McBride added: “I am thrilled to be joining Compact Pictures during this exciting period of expansion and am really looking forward to working with John on developing a diverse slate of projects. My focus is on finding engaging, contemporary stories from both Scotland and further afield, while helping to raise Compact’s profile and also reminding people what a vibrant creative hub we now have in Glasgow.”