NORTHERN IRELAND has been declared the cheap destination for movie production by one of Hollywood’s trade bibles, writes Jan Battles.
Last week, Screen International featured the province on its cover with the headline Ulster Rising: Northern Ireland is bursting through as the next hot cost-saving destination for international productions. What is it doing right? The answer lies in cheaper film crews, extra funding for productions and a lower cost of living. Hollywood and European film makers are already inquiring about shooting in the province, according to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, which runs the region’s production fund.
Some producers based in the republic are taking film projects north of the border to benefit from lower costs there. “One of the biggest things it has going for it is that the people are less cynical,” said Paddy McDonald, a film producer for Dublin-based Treasure Entertainment. He has just finished shooting The Mighty Celt, starring Gillian Anderson and Robert Carlyle, in Belfast.
“There is a certain hands-on-deck approach, with people willing to go the extra mile for you, a real wanting to be there on set working on film. So, when you are out on location, you don’t have the same kind of difficulties you have down here.”
Advertisement
Film makers have criticised unions in Dublin for archaic work practices, such as punitive overtime and night-time premiums. They say these payments make it too dear to shoot films in the republic.
“Things are generally cheaper in the north,” said McDonald. “There are more competitive crew rates. They have money to offer to projects. In the north, there are issues like overtime too, but people are a little bit more relaxed about it and all the hidden penalties and extras for the sparks aren’t as high,” said McDonald.
Treasure Entertainment is considering bringing future projects to Northern Ireland, he said.
Ralph Christians, who employs 25 people at Magma Films in Galway, will probably shoot his next television series, a 26-part children’s programme, in Londonderry instead of the republic.
He is opening a company in Belfast because it will allow him to use Section 481 and Film Board money, as well as Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission (NIFTC) production and lottery funds.
Advertisement
“The sparks in this country, the electricians, drive you bonkers,” said Christians. “They ask for far too much money and they have absolutely the wrong attitude to work. If they all were premier league people that would be fine, but sometimes they have this attitude and they ask for more money than anybody else on set and they are fifth division.
“One of the things that drives people away to Belfast is the costs, especially of the electricians. People are just not shooting here because it is too expensive.”
Neil Jordan will film part of Breakfast on Pluto, starring Liam Neeson and Cillian Murphy, in Northern Ireland.
Andrew Reid, the NIFTC’s head of production, said there had been a very positive reaction to Screen International’s cover story and inquiries were coming in.
He is currently dealing with a “very large European production”, which is considering shooting in Northern Ireland.
Advertisement
Malcolm Byrne, a director of Screen Producers Ireland, said more intense discussions with unions will take place over the autumn to try to bring down costs.
“The north has started to market itself in a very effective way but we would argue that the republic remains an attractive venue, both for the international filmmaker looking to locate here and, as importantly, the indigenous industry.”
Northern Ireland does not have all the facilities available in the republic — it does not have sound stages, like those at Ardmore, and there are no post-production facilities.