STUDIO BOOSTS FILM FACILITIES IN BELFAST

A NEW feature film based on the best selling novel ‘Puckoon’, by comic writer Spike Milligan, is currently filming at Northern Ireland’s new film studio facility, the Paint Hall Studios in Belfast.
‘Puckoon’, directed by Terence Ryan, produced by Ken Tuohy and starring Elliot Gould, Richard Attenborough and Sean Hughes, is the first film to avail of the new facility.
Richard Taylor, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Film Commission, said: “‘Puckoon’ is the first production to utilise the Paint Hall Studios in Belfast, the latest addition to the exemplary facilities infrastructure already available in Northern Ireland. The Paint Hall Studios are a tremendous boost to Northern Ireland’s growing attraction to film location.”
Built in 1974, Harland and Wolff’s Paint Hall is a unique industrial structure, originally designed to paint ships in a climate controlled environment. The heavily insulated building was ideal for conversion and the result is one of the largest film studios in the UK and Ireland.
Phase One of the re-development is already complete with the refurbishment of cell 1 as ‘The Titanic Stage’, named after the ship which was built at the site.
Cells 2, 3 and 4 are also available for productions and can be equipped within three weeks of a confirmed booking.
In addition to the four stages there are also fully operational offices, a wardrobe department, make-up room and catering facilities.
(CD)