Oscar-nominated director and producer Ridley Scott (Gladiator) is to executive produce and present six low-budget feature films in Northern Ireland over the next three years.
Scott’s production company, Scott Free London, has partnered with Orchard Media and Focus Features International to produce the genre titles which will be focused primarily on horror, thriller and science fiction.
The features will be made under the banner ‘Ridley Scott Presents’ and will be produced in association with Northern Ireland Screen.
All six films will shoot primarily in Northern Ireland using resident crew, cast, services and facilities. Focus Features International will handle world-wide sales.
The agreement to shoot in Northern Ireland is said to have been a number of months in the making with the first of the six films likely to go into production mid-2013.
In announcing the deal, Scott said his aim was “to create a structure that enables filmmakers to push boundaries and to excite audiences.”
He added: “Our proposed model of filmmaking allows us to give directors the opportunity to really innovate through narrative, production techniques and distribution strategies.”
Andrew Reid, head of production for Northern Ireland Screen, added that the deal will “potentially provide an outlet for developing Northern Ireland creative talent.”
He added: “We have been looking for a model which would allow us to forecast future production in Northern Ireland over the next few years. Orchard and Scott Free brought us a compelling proposition to complement our other large incoming productions, such as ‘Game of Thrones’.”
The deal was brokered by Orchard Media founder Adam Kulick and Chris Billows, Orchard’s head of media. They commented: “We believe this is a very exciting opportunity for talent, distributors and investors.
“Filmmakers often spend a great deal of time and energy raising and closing financing. By funding the slate up front we can allow filmmakers to focus entirely on the creative aspects of the filmmaking process.”
For Scott Free London, Liza Marshall will produce and Jack Arbuthnott will oversee development and co-produce. For Orchard, Chris Billows will produce and oversee development and Adam Kulick will executive produce.
‘Ridley Scott Presents’ is funded through the Northern Ireland Screen Fund supported by Invest NI and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The director’s Scott Free Productions was formed in 1995 and most recently released ‘Prometheus’, starring Michael Fassbender. Scott has again linked up with Fassbender for ‘The Counselor’ which the Kerry actor wrapped filming on earlier this month.
