California Schemin’ in cinemas 10th April – shot on location in Dundee
Plus its’ “based a true lie” - the true story behind James McAvoy’s Directorial Debut
Production supported by FifeScreen+TayScreen.
Hollywood star James McAvoy has brought global attention to Dundee with California Schemin’ that filmed on location in Dundee. It’s rooted in one of Scotland’s most unusual real-life stories about the duo band Silibil N’ Brains. Marking McAvoy’s first time behind the camera, the film is a magical blend of comedy, music and a celebration of the story’s Scottish origins in the city.
With California Schemin’, Dundee finds itself at the centre of a remarkable cinematic story that began on its streets and now reaches global audiences. For James McAvoy, the film represents both a creative milestone and a tribute to Scottish voices too often overlooked. For audiences, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most unbelievable stories are entirely true.
Filming in Dundee: The Story Returns Home
Production for California Schemin’ took place at locations across Dundee. By returning to real locations, the film captures the authenticity of the duo’s background - tower blocks, local streets, and everyday environments that shaped their ambitions.
McAvoy himself emphasised the importance of filming in Scotland, working with local crews and talent to create what he described as a “homegrown story” with global resonance.
FifeScreen+TayScreen was delighted to support production across multiple locations in the city from busy city centre streets to housing to football grounds and unit base.
Filming on Location in Dundee
Photo credit: Steven Brown, DC Thomson
So what’s the true story?
It’s the incredible true story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, two aspiring rappers from Dundee who struggled to break into the UK music industry. Facing rejection due to their Scottish accents, they reinvented themselves as Californian artists complete with American accents and identities and became Silibil N’ Brains.
Their gamble paid off. They secured a major record deal and even toured alongside major artists, successfully fooling industry executives and audiences alike for years. Their story, was first told in Gavin Bain’s memoir and on screen in the documentary The Great Hip Hop Hoax. It’s a compelling tale as it’s not just the deception, but what it reveals: that talent alone wasn’t enough - image and perception mattered more.
A directorial debut with personal meaning
For James McAvoy, California Schemin’ is more than a quirky true story. It’s a deeply personal project. Known for major roles in films like Atonement and X-Men, he has long said he wanted to direct. So this is an important milestone for him. The movie debut was at the Toronto International Film Festival.
According to a report in the UK Times, the story resonated with him as he himself encountered challenges as a Scottish actor entering the London and Hollywood film industries.
A Scottish story with global appeal
Early reviews suggest California Schemin’ strikes a balance between comedy and social commentary, telling a uniquely Scottish story that resonates internationally. Critics have praised its originality and emotional depth, particularly its focus on identity and the cost of living a lie.
Ultimately, the film is about more than a clever scam—it’s about ambition, friendship, and the lengths people go to be heard.