Coming from a background in London-centered
media, it was hard to miss the media frenzy that is whipping around this region
of the UK when I arrived in Northern Ireland two months ago. From the key note
speech delivered by Channel 4 Chief Executive David Abraham at the Belfast Media Festival to the recent claims made by business commentators that
Ireland’s TV and film industry could save Ireland’s economy, it’s been hard to
miss the celebration of Ireland and Northern Ireland’s emerging creative
talent.
I, amongst many, have observed a
geographic shift in the UK’s television from out of London into the regions in
recent years. Of course, not least as a result of the BBC’s move up north to
Salford Quays, but commissioners have been more and more inclined to look
outward to companies with exceptional talent in the regions.
Earlier this summer Channel 4 announced
its plans to commission more programmes from the regions, hailing companies
like Double Band Films in Belfast as producers they had enjoyed working with in
the past. Additionally, Northern Ireland’s Producer/Director Alison Millar was
given a personal nod during Abraham’s speech at the Belfast Media Festival in
October. Channel 4’s relationship with the Northern Irish TV industry may be a
recently renewed affair, but the BBC has been paying more attention to this
part of the UK for a while longer now with John Ferren’s 360 Production giving
archaeology a reinvigoration the likes of which it hasn’t seen since the
longest running history programme on TV, ‘Time Team’, dug their way into our
homes.
It’s not just the UK networks that are
sitting up and paying attention to what regional talent can offer. HBO’s ‘Game
of Thrones’ has been called a “game-changer” for Northern Ireland’s media
industry. Northern Ireland Screen’s acquisition to produce and shoot this
hugely popular fantasy series on the shores of the emerald isle was a great
triumph. It appears the organisation’s Irish affability has paid off as their
relationship with the American giant looks set to be even more profitable in
the future. Perhaps with a tinge of green, CEO of Screentime ShinAwiL
production company, Larry Bass, from the Republic of Ireland, has claimed that
if Ireland’s producers opened their nets wider to international networks the
creative industry could boost the Republic’s economy significantly by creating
5,000 jobs and bringing Ireland to the attention of tourists globally. Indeed,
the Irish Film Board recently released news of a pact it has made with the BBC
‘Storyville’ strand to co-produce five feature docs over the next year. The
pact deliberately aims to support Irish talent and crews.
It’s not the only scheme looking to
invest in talent in Northern Ireland. The training scheme that I am on is also
a sign that Northern Ireland is looking to expand and nurture young and new
talent in the region’s television industry. There is a yawning gap in the
workforce between producers in the higher grades and those just entering the
industry as in recent decades very few have been brought into Northern Irish
television, and stayed. But that is changing now with several schemes on offer
in the north and south of Ireland for those looking for a career in the
creative industries.
To those London cynics who wished me “Good
luck…”in my new job here in Northern Ireland with a facial expression that said
“…cos you’re gonna need it!” I would say come over here and try it – there’s something
in the rainwater…
