Virtual Production Studio at University Ulster: Northern Ireland has new route into film, TV and gaming industries

Ulster University has launched a state-of-the-art facility aimed at further boosting Northern Ireland’s film and TV offering.
By Graeme Cousins
Published 9th Feb 2022, 16:27 BST
At the launch of Ulster University's Virtual Production Studio in Belfast are Economy Minister Gordon Lyons (centre) with Fiona McLaughlin, Co-Founding Director of Taunt Studios and Professor Frank Lyons, Interim Executive Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UU.At the launch of Ulster University's Virtual Production Studio in Belfast are Economy Minister Gordon Lyons (centre) with Fiona McLaughlin, Co-Founding Director of Taunt Studios and Professor Frank Lyons, Interim Executive Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UU.
At the launch of Ulster University's Virtual Production Studio in Belfast are Economy Minister Gordon Lyons (centre) with Fiona McLaughlin, Co-Founding Director of Taunt Studios and Professor Frank Lyons, Interim Executive Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UU.

The £1.6million Virtual Production Studio will also train game designers and animators of the future.

Ulster University’s Professor Frank Lyons said: “With the screen industries continuing to grow in Northern Ireland, it is important that we have a pipeline of graduates who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to specialise in creatively-led, technologically-driven production and research and development.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re responding to industry reports that there’s a skills shortage in Virtual Production. We’re prioritising teaching and research using cutting edge technology backed by multinational expert companies to ensure our students graduate with the creative, technical and professional skills and knowledge to work on film and TV sets locally and lead the way in Games and Animation, nationally and internationally, to drive the creative industries forward.”

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons, whose department provided more than £536,000 of funding, said: “Students will have access to cutting edge production and VFX facilities that are unavailable anywhere else in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

“I am pleased, also, that the university will facilitate collaboration opportunities with the screen industry on some of the live productions being made here in Northern Ireland.”

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Ben Lowry

Editor

Related topics:Northern IrelandGordon Lyons