Studio Ulster: Northern Ireland's Largest Virtual Production Studio Opens

Northern Ireland is set to enhance its film and television production landscape with the opening of Studio Ulster, the region's largest virtual production studio. Scheduled for formal inauguration on Thursday, this state-of-the-art facility is a collaborative venture involving Belfast Harbour, Ulster University, and NI Screen, and is anticipated to attract significant large-scale productions, including television dramas and feature films.

The studio spans over 75,000 square feet, situated within Giant's Park on the northern shore of Belfast Lough, alongside the existing Belfast Harbour Studios. The total investment for the project is approximately £72 million, with a third of the funding sourced from the Belfast Region City Deal. The facility is designed to incorporate advanced virtual production techniques, including computer-generated imagery (CGI), thereby enabling filmmakers to create highly realistic environments for their narratives.

According to Professor Declan Keene, an academic from Ulster University and the studio's operational lead, Studio Ulster is set to revolutionize the filmmaking process in Northern Ireland. "We can now create Morocco in magic hour and film for 12 hours right here in the harbour," stated Keene. "This capability opens up new possibilities for projects in Northern Ireland that were previously deemed impossible," he added.

The studio is expected to serve various media production needs, including gaming and animation, broadening its appeal to different sectors within the creative industry. Notably, one of the first productions to utilize the studio will be a BBC Northern Ireland series produced by Stellify Media, which focuses on the historical sinking of the Titanic. This series aims to leverage the studio's advanced virtual production facilities to present the story in real time, drawing from the authentic accounts of passengers and crew.

The significance of Studio Ulster extends beyond its immediate production capabilities. According to NI Screen's 2024-25 business plan, the studio aims to become a "virtual production centre of excellence". This ambition is expected to foster enhanced skill development within the film and television workforce in Northern Ireland, alongside supporting students pursuing film, broadcasting, and production studies.

The launch of Studio Ulster marks a pivotal moment in Northern Ireland's creative industry, which has seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to productions like the globally acclaimed HBO series, Game of Thrones. Its filming in Northern Ireland has established the region as a key location for major television and film projects. The new studio aims to further cement this reputation, providing local talent with the tools and facilities necessary to compete in an increasingly competitive global market.

As the studio prepares to open its doors, industry leaders and stakeholders express optimism about its potential to attract increased investment in the local economy. Patrick Hughes, a spokesperson for NI Screen, emphasized the importance of such facilities in nurturing homegrown talent and attracting international productions. “The creation of Studio Ulster is a significant milestone for our industry, offering unprecedented opportunities for collaboration and innovation in film production,” Hughes stated.

In conclusion, the establishment of Studio Ulster is poised to significantly impact Northern Ireland's film and television industry, creating new opportunities for local creatives and attracting international projects. As the studio officially opens, it symbolizes a commitment to fostering a vibrant creative economy in the region, with expectations of a fruitful future ahead for both the industry and its workforce.