College Shines in Supporting Sky Drama Lockerbie: A Search for Truth

City of Glasgow College proudly supported as a location for the Lockerbie: A Search for Truth—a prime-time drama based on Dr. Jim Swire's campaign for justice following the 1988 Lockerbie tragedy. Produced by Sky, Universal International Studios, and Peacock Production, the five-part series, now streaming on Sky, brought professional-grade drama to the City Campus.

In March, the College’s TV and radio studios were transformed into 1989 media venues, providing the backdrop for Dr. Swire's (portrayed by Oscar winner Colin Firth) tireless advocacy for the families affected. This collaboration offered students invaluable opportunities to gain firsthand experience working alongside industry professionals during the location shoot.

Among the highlights was the employment of five HNC Television students at industry-standard rates, each contributing to the smooth running of the production.

Jacob Kennedy, HNC TV student, reflected on his role as a Location Marshall: "Being a Location Marshall for 'Flight 103' (the working title) was an amazing opportunity. I helped ensure the smooth running of the production, including assisting crew members, coordinating extras, and even guiding famous figures into the college. I gained invaluable insight into time management and camera operations—skills that align perfectly with my HNC coursework. I’m forever grateful to the college, the production staff, and the HNC Television program for this experience."

Euan Buchanan, HNC TV student, shared his enthusiasm for the experience: "I was selected to be one of the Location Marshalls while filming took place in the college. It was an insightful firsthand experience of what working on a film production is really like. Over the two days, I enjoyed collaborating with the locations team, developing on-set etiquette, and honing my communication skills with the crew. It is an experience I will carry forward in my career—besides making my class jealous!"

The project demonstrated a prominent level of collaboration between the College’s Broadcasting team and Sky's production crew, with contributions spanning sound, lighting, directing, location management, and set design. This teamwork not only provided students with real-world experience but also supported ongoing staff development within the Broadcasting team.

In addition to the valuable experience gained, the College received two professional-grade news sets—sustainably crafted from cardboard—for future use in its TV studios.

Jacquie Shaw, Associate Dean - Broadcasting & Multimedia, praised the partnership: "The entire team is proud to have contributed to such a compelling and well-crafted drama."

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth exemplifies the transformative power of partnerships between education and industry, offering students practical experience while bringing historical stories to life for audiences worldwide.