2 October 2025, the HB Film Festival hosted an inspiring panel discussion as part of Creative Renfrewshire’s programme of networking events. About 50 people braved the grim weather and gathered in the Wynd Centre in the centre of Paisley. They were there to hear firsthand about life in the arts from three panelists who’ve made their mark in Scotland’s creative world.
The panel featured filmmaker Ashley Dick, photographer Sonja Blietschau, and screenwriter Marc Pye, with HB Film festival director and filmmaker – Gary J Hewitt hosting the conversation and asking the questions. The discussion was introduced by Caroline Watson – one of Creative Renfrewshire’s directors, with other CR representatives and CR’s network coordinator Wezi Mhura on hand to tell people about the CR network.
Ashley kicked things off by sharing how her passion for filmmaking started young with home videos and sketches, eventually leading her to set up Cinora, a production company that champions new film talent in Scotland. Ashley talked about the ups and downs of freelancing—long hours, endless learning, and the importance of being honest with clients and yourself. She stressed that doing solid, quality work consistently is what builds trust, and that building a community of support among fellow creatives is key to surviving the freelance hustle. https://www.cinorafilms.com/copy-of-filmmakers-gameplan
Sonja’s story was just as compelling. She got her start taking photos purely as a hobby but soon realised she loved capturing people, especially in portraits, headshots, and unit stills for film productions. What sets Sonja apart, she explained, is her focus on the human connection. It’s not just about the technical side of photography; it’s about making people comfortable, creating genuine moments, and building relationships that reflect in her work. Her experience showed that creativity isn’t always glamorous—it’s about resilience, staying adaptable, and constantly networking to find opportunities. https://sonjab-photography.com/
Marc Pye offered a refreshing glimpse into the life of a screenwriter and novelist. He told the audience about the moment he got his first script optioned and how that opened doors into television writing for well-known UK dramas like EastEnders and Holby City. Marc emphasised the grind behind the glamour—meeting deadlines, taking feedback, and maintaining good relationships with editors and producers. He also shared how balancing family life with freelance work isn’t easy, but it’s part of the journey many creatives face. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors/marc-pye
The panel didn’t shy away from the tougher realities. They discussed the stigma some creatives feel about holding “real jobs” outside their art, the struggle to find work-life balance, and the growing presence of AI in creative industries. Everyone agreed there’s no shame in taking on other jobs to support your creative passion—it’s often necessary, and those experiences can even feed into your creativity. Building a network, supporting one another, and being honest about your limits and needs were common themes throughout.
Gary Hewitt wrapped up by reminding everyone that while the creative world is always evolving, the heart of success lies in passion, perseverance, and community spirit. Getting Seen in the Scene was more than just a panel—it was a celebration of real stories, hard-won wisdom, and the power of sticking together in the sometimes tricky world of creative work.
The HB Film Festival is an amazing event, CR directors Jackie and Caroline stayed on to watch the first batch of short films and enjoyed talking to a range of attendees. They were taken by the fact that people travel to this Festival from far away. Gary mentioned that last year one attendee travelled by bicycle from Germany to attend. The HBFestival is one example of the high quality creative industry practice operating in Renfrewshire … amazing work by Gary and the HB Team!!
Update: Creative Renfrewshire sponsor the Best Story Award at the HB Film Festival.
