Menu
24/06/2008
Paint Hall Studio 'Burned Out' After City Of Ember?
A public relations offensive by NI Screen - highlighting the availability of taster scenes from the forthcoming made-in-Belfast blockbuster, City of Ember has successfully highlighted the worth of the former shipyard Paint Hall studio.
NIS provided a modest £800,000 in funding to net an estimated £9.2 million that fed into the local economy of Northern Ireland during July and October last year.
However, it has now emerged that the semi-governmental agency had to take out a lease on the giant Harland & Wolff shipyard-painting hall for three years - at a £200,000 annual rent - that doesn't run out until 2010.
But, while NIS has since bought all the rigging and lighting used by the City of Ember producers to deliver a ready-for-use studio and has been marketing the facility in a recent promotional tour of the US, there are no takers this year.
A special offer of free use and NIS funding of up to £500,000 - as long as a production will be worth at least £2m - has also so far failed to find a new filmmaker for the Northern Ireland facility.
However, discussions are believed to be continuing with both US and UK producers tempted by tax credits of around a quarter.
But, even though there have been around 36 movies shot in the area in the last decade, and a recent Belfast-made movie, Hunger, won the Camera d'Or prize at Cannes, the Paint Hall has now been unused for seven months.
Better news this month involves local-born stars Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt who have been filming Five Minutes of Heaven in Belfast.
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall), Five Minutes of Heaven brought together two men wracked by their experiences during the violent conflicts in Northern Ireland and focuses on how they struggle to come to terms with the after effects.
Meanwhile, a biopic of former NI First Minister Ian Paisley has run into financial difficulties with its screenwriter claiming it would have been easier to fund his script if it had been about the IRA.
Award winning dramatist and writer-in-residence at Queen's University Belfast, Rathcoole-born Gary Mitchell has completed the screenplay and started auditioning actors to play Paisley, but he claims that financing the project is proving difficult "because the Prods aren't sexy enough".
While Mitchell insisted that the film would go ahead and hopes that it will show that Northern Ireland is a good place to make a movie and also put on screen things from a Protestant perspective "for a change", he has admitted to problems.
It seems TV and film companies have no problem with dramas about the IRA - but they are not so keen on a loyalist/Protestant viewpoint, he believes.
See: City Of Ember Is 'Hot'
(BMcC)
NIS provided a modest £800,000 in funding to net an estimated £9.2 million that fed into the local economy of Northern Ireland during July and October last year.
However, it has now emerged that the semi-governmental agency had to take out a lease on the giant Harland & Wolff shipyard-painting hall for three years - at a £200,000 annual rent - that doesn't run out until 2010.
But, while NIS has since bought all the rigging and lighting used by the City of Ember producers to deliver a ready-for-use studio and has been marketing the facility in a recent promotional tour of the US, there are no takers this year.
A special offer of free use and NIS funding of up to £500,000 - as long as a production will be worth at least £2m - has also so far failed to find a new filmmaker for the Northern Ireland facility.
However, discussions are believed to be continuing with both US and UK producers tempted by tax credits of around a quarter.
But, even though there have been around 36 movies shot in the area in the last decade, and a recent Belfast-made movie, Hunger, won the Camera d'Or prize at Cannes, the Paint Hall has now been unused for seven months.
Better news this month involves local-born stars Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt who have been filming Five Minutes of Heaven in Belfast.
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall), Five Minutes of Heaven brought together two men wracked by their experiences during the violent conflicts in Northern Ireland and focuses on how they struggle to come to terms with the after effects.
Meanwhile, a biopic of former NI First Minister Ian Paisley has run into financial difficulties with its screenwriter claiming it would have been easier to fund his script if it had been about the IRA.
Award winning dramatist and writer-in-residence at Queen's University Belfast, Rathcoole-born Gary Mitchell has completed the screenplay and started auditioning actors to play Paisley, but he claims that financing the project is proving difficult "because the Prods aren't sexy enough".
While Mitchell insisted that the film would go ahead and hopes that it will show that Northern Ireland is a good place to make a movie and also put on screen things from a Protestant perspective "for a change", he has admitted to problems.
It seems TV and film companies have no problem with dramas about the IRA - but they are not so keen on a loyalist/Protestant viewpoint, he believes.
See: City Of Ember Is 'Hot'
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 December 2012
Foster's Flag Violence Condemnation 'Long Overdue'
The SDLP Chair of the Assembly's Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Patsy McGlone has branded Arlene Foster’s condemnation of the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland as "long overdue".
Foster's Flag Violence Condemnation 'Long Overdue'
The SDLP Chair of the Assembly's Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Patsy McGlone has branded Arlene Foster’s condemnation of the ongoing violence in Northern Ireland as "long overdue".
13 November 2003
Belfast City Hall set for traditional arrival
One of the most famous Christmas trees in Northern Ireland is set to take up its traditional seasonal position this weekend. Each year, a tree measuring between 40 and 50 feet tall stands at the front of the City Hall in Belfast, heralding the arrival of the Yuletide in the City.
Belfast City Hall set for traditional arrival
One of the most famous Christmas trees in Northern Ireland is set to take up its traditional seasonal position this weekend. Each year, a tree measuring between 40 and 50 feet tall stands at the front of the City Hall in Belfast, heralding the arrival of the Yuletide in the City.
22 October 2001
Belfast City Hall embraces eco-friendly energy policy
Belfast City Council has officially launched its new environment friendly Energy Policy that will see services carried out throughout the city gradually switching to renewable energy supply.
Belfast City Hall embraces eco-friendly energy policy
Belfast City Council has officially launched its new environment friendly Energy Policy that will see services carried out throughout the city gradually switching to renewable energy supply.
15 March 2004
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
St Patrick's Day event has support of BCC says councillor
The Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Steering Panel has challenged claims that the Council is not supporting St Patrick’s Day in Belfast. It follows a protest outside Belfast City Hall last week by the St Patrick's Carnival Committee who claim the Council isn't funding this year's event at the City Hall.
14 September 2023
Belfast City Council Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
Environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, has awarded Belfast City Council a prestigious award in recognition of its free reusable period products initiative. The council won the Behaviour Change Award for its 'impactful and pioneering' pilot project which tackles single-use plastic.
Belfast City Council Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
Environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, has awarded Belfast City Council a prestigious award in recognition of its free reusable period products initiative. The council won the Behaviour Change Award for its 'impactful and pioneering' pilot project which tackles single-use plastic.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
