Studio Ulster: NI's largest virtual production studio set to open
Previously, productions such as Netflix's The School for Good and Evil, starring Charlize Theron and Laurence Fishburne, were filmed at Belfast Harbour Studios.Much of HBO's worldwide hit Game of Thrones was also filmed in Belfast and other locations across Northern Ireland.Studio Ulster is a large-scale facility with more than 75,000 square feet of studio space.It has been built alongside the existing Belfast Harbour Studios in Giant's Park on the north shore of Belfast Lough.About a third of the funding for the £72m project comes from the Belfast Region City Deal.The production facilities can also be used for gaming and animation.
Prof Declan Keene from Ulster University is leading the university's team running the studio.He previously said it would allow people to create any environment "anywhere in the universe" whilst filming in Belfast."We can now create Morocco in magic hour and we're able to film in that for 12 hours, right here in the harbour," he said when the details of the project were unveiled in 2023."You can imagine that makes possible new projects in Northern Ireland that previously were impossible."
One of the first productions set to use Studio Ulster is a BBC Northern Ireland series, made by Belfast's Stellify Media, detailing the sinking of the Titanic.It will use the studio's virtual and digital production facilities to tell the story of the sinking of the Titanic in real time using the accounts of passengers and crew.According to NI Screen's most recent business plan for 2024-25, Studio Ulster is expected to attract large-scale productions including TV drama and feature documentaries.It is also expected to be a "virtual production centre of excellence", which will help to increase the skills of the film and TV industry workforce in Northern Ireland, and students studying film, broadcast and production courses.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
'Aberdeen have unbelievable opportunity to create history'
'We need our own TV show!' - Red Roses lift lid on off-field fun. Video'We need our own TV show!' - Red Roses lift lid on off-field fun
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Secret Spinal Tap sequel plotline revealed as iconic band film epic final concert at VERY famous location
THE Stonehenge staging blunder is one of the best moments in the first Spinal Tap film. They accidentally commission an 18in — rather than 18ft — replica of the historic stones to perform next to. 13 13 But now the spoof heavy metal band from 1984 are putting it right for the sequel, and secretly filming a final concert there. My music moles tell me the team behind Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, including director Rob Reiner, have set up camp in Stonehenge and are working on the project all week. And the production is so top secret, the ancient site in Wiltshire is closing early to the public to try to limit disturbances. A source said: 'Rob wanted to pay homage to that famous Stonehenge scene. 'So what better than to take the band there for a final curtain call. 'They re-recorded their song Stonehenge with Sir Elton John last month and put the new music video out. 'But this concert is an extra-special surprise for fans and visually it is going to look incredible. 'The whole of Stonehenge is getting locked down from 5pm this week to allow the camera crews to set up. 'Anyone working on the concert who is approached by members of the public have been told to fob them off and say they're working on a film for English Heritage.' My mole also let slip some amazing details about what fans will see when this concert is made public. For now, I don't want to ruin the surprise. But I will tell you! Rather than dwarves, this time around they've got a fair few druids on hand. Spinal Tap II will be released on September 12, with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer all reprising their roles in the band — Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins and Derek Smalls. Rob will also be back in the frame as the documentary maker Marty DiBergi, who will follow the rockers returning to the stage after a 15-year hiatus. 13 13 Last month Spinal Tap and Elton dropped the new video for Stonehenge, and it was a brilliant teaser of what's to come. Fans can also expect cameos from Sir Paul McCartney, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and drummer and producer Questlove. I can't wait to see this film. 13 JESS' APPY ENDING JESSIE J has finally found a dating app that works – crediting celebrity matchmaker Raya for finding her boyfriend Chanan Colman. The Living My Best Life singer revealed the site suggested basketball player Chanan as a partner at the end of 2021, and they have been together ever since. Jessie, who recently spoke about having a miscarriage before she met Chanan, recalled: 'I'd seen him on the app and I'm a creep. 'I just went and followed him on Instagram, because it's connected to Instagram. 'Then I was like, 'No, he's going to have seen what I've just gone through publicly'. 'He's not going to want to deal with me and my fame and this, so I unfollowed him. 'But I kept thinking about him and I was like, 'OK, let me follow him again'. 'He messaged me saying, 'You're way too cute to follow, unfollow, follow, to not say what you want to say'.' Jessie, who now has a son, Sky, with Chanan, added: 'I honestly felt that was the reason I had my miscarriage, because the energy of the world was going, 'You deserve to be in love doing this with someone. This is going to happen for you, so just wait'.' Praising the sportsman, she said: 'He's calm and patient, very logical and doesn't think with emotions. And I'm the opposite.' She spoke about their romance on the Great Company podcast, and presenter Jamie Laing revealed that he hadn't had any luck on Raya when he was single. He said: 'I applied and they were like, 'No. Absolutely not'.' DAKOTA'S SPLITS SCREEN 13 MUM'S the word for Dakota Johnson. The newly single Fifty Shades Of Grey star took actress mother Melanie Griffith to the LA premiere of her new film Splitsville. Dakota, who split from Chris Martin earlier this year, wore a floor-length sliver gown reminiscent of some tin foil at the back of my kitchen cupboard. The movie explores couples separating and non-monogamy, but following her own rollercoaster love life, she admitted: 'I don't think I'm qualified to give any notes on relationships.' That said, she has another special someone in her life — close pal Madonna. She told E! Online: 'I really love her. 'We've been weird friends for a while. 'She is an energy to be near that is so beautiful and so wild. 'It's cool that she even wants to talk to me.' SMALLEST GIG FOR ROBBIE 13 ROBBIE WILLIAMS made a flying visit to an old stomping ground in Soho to announce his most intimate gig yet. He popped into The Groucho Club, his Nineties London party haunt, to reveal a show at Dingwalls in Camden on October 9. The 500-capacity gig is being billed as his smallest ever ticketed show, though he admitted many of Take That 's early gigs had far less people. Rob said: 'There were a lot of shows with Take That where it was one man and his dog and they didn't pay to come. 'I am going to play Life Thru A Lens in full as well as my new album Britpop.' Britpop, out on October 10, also features a song about Morrissey, co-written with Gary Barlow. BRI STRUTS HIS STUFF 13 ROCKERS The Struts have enlisted Sir Brian May to mark their tenth anniversary. I can exclusively reveal they collaborated with the Queen guitarist on a new version of their 2014 debut single Could Have Been Me, which became a huge hit in the US and featured on the Sing 2 soundtrack. My photos show Brian alongside frontman Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott and drummer Gethin Davies on the set of a new video for the rock anthem, which will be unveiled on September 3. It marks a major return to form for Brian following a stroke last summer. It was not certain he'd ever play the guitar again. He said: 'Working with Luke and the Struts has been a joyous journey for me. 'I was inspired by the original version and felt an uncontrollable urge to mess with it! 'It carries a great positive message for rebellious kids of all ages.' Luke, who is on tour in North America with the band, added: 'Collaborating with Brian on this track is a dream realised. 'Hopefully this song will go on to inspire many more people to take life by the scruff of the neck and drink it down deeply.' JOE PLANE BONK BLUSHES JOE JONAS joined the Mile High Club – but couldn't see after doing the deed. Asked in a TikTok video for an embarrassing memory, he recalled of one flight: 'I joined the Mile High Club a couple of years ago. 'I was wearing contacts, left the bathroom and thought I was high- fiving my drummer. 'After the high-five, I realised it was the flight attendant.' Quizzed on whether it was worth it, he confirmed: 'Yeah.' And Joe, left, added: 'It was a private flight or I would be banned from flying.' I can imagine the outcome would have been a bit different if he'd have been on a packed and delayed Jet2 holiday flight from Luton to Alicante. VICTORIA BECKHAM reunites with her Spice World co-star Richard E. Grant, 28 years after the musical comedy hit screens. He played the Spice Girls' manager Clifford – and took a snap with Posh when they bumped into each other at a restaurant in Italy. Sharing their selfie, Richard wrote: 'Stop Right Now! 'I worked with @victoriabeckham on Spiceworld - The Movie, 28 years ago and found ourselves at adjacent lunch tables.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Jennifer Lopez fans think she looks like MADONNA as she goes blonde for Kiss Of The Spider Woman
Jennifer Lopez looked stunning in the first official trailer for her next film Kiss Of The Spider Woman which was released on Wednesday. Wednesday also marks the one year anniversary that she filed for divorce from Ben Affleck, who is a producer on the film. Fans were blown away by the 56-year-old star's very different looks. And the one they liked the most was JLo as a blonde bombshell. 'Wow, blondie Jenny works for me,' said one fan while another added, 'She is like Jean Harlow mixed with Gwen Stefani.' Other fans felt she strongly resembled Madonna in the 1990s during her Blonde Ambition tour: 'Never thought Jennifer Lopez could look like Madonna, but she does.' Kiss of the Spider Woman will be released theatrically on October 10. Jennifer Lopez looked stunning in the first official trailer for her next film Kiss Of The Spider Woman which was released on Wednesday Fans were blown away by the 56-year-old star's very different looks. And the one they liked the most was JLo as a blonde bombshell Lopez wrote in her caption, 'The official trailer for #KissoftheSpiderWoman is here. From Academy Award winner Bill Condon, the film is in theaters October 10.' Lopez's main costars are Tonatiuh and Diego Luna. The Bronx-born actress plays an imaginary figure named Aurora, who was dreamed up by jailed gay hairdresser Luis Molina (Tonatiuh). 'Valentín (Luna), a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency,' reads an official synopsis for the movie. 'The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Lopez).' Lopez is seen dancing up a storm in staged musical numbers where she wears flashy 1950s style gowns. The new movie is an iteration of the 1993 Broadway musical, which was based on Manuel Puig's 1976 novel of the same name. Some fans felt she strongly resembled Madonna in the 1990s during her Blonde Ambition tour. Seen in 1990 'Never thought Jennifer Lopez could look like Madonna, but she does,' said a fan 'Wow, blondie Jenny works for me,' said one fan while another added, 'She is like Jean Harlow mixed with Gwen Stefani' Kiss of the Spider Woman will be released theatrically on October 10 Lopez wrote in her caption, 'The official trailer for #KissoftheSpiderWoman is here' Rehearsals began in February 2024, and filming kicked off in New Jersey in April 2024. The actress offered a small glimpse into her mindset at the time when talking to Out magazine this week. 'It was one of the most beautiful moviemaking experiences I've ever had, and also at a difficult time in my life,' said Lopez. 'But it … just filled a part of me that was waiting to kind of come alive for so long,' she said of the experience. The trailer is being released on the one year anniversary that she filed for divorce from Ben Affleck in Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 20, 2024. The Bronx-bred actress plays an imaginary figure named Aurora, who was dreamed up by jailed gay hairdresser Luis Molina (Tonatiuh) 'From Academy Award winner Bill Condon, the film is in theaters October 10,' added Lopez The forthcoming movie, which also stars Tonatiuh and Diego Luna, is an iteration of the 1993 Broadway musical, which was based on Manuel Puig's 1976 novel of the same name She also talked to Out about the plot of the movie. 'This very intense experience they have of being locked in the cell together and helping each other survive, they're able to see straight into [the] humanity in one another and fall in love,' she told the outlet. Opening up about her on philosophy she declared, 'To me, that is the real definition of love.' Kiss of the Spider Woman premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January. It will be released in theaters on October 10.
