Film & Television Production in Ireland Audiovisual Federation Review 2006 IBEC AUDIOVISUAL FEDERATION An affiliate association within IBEC | the Irish Business and Employers Confederation Confederation House, 84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 Tel: + 353 - 1 - 6601528, Fax: + 353 - 1 - 6381528 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ibec.ie/avf An affiliate association within IBEC | the Irish Business and Employers Confederation www.ibec.ie AUDIO VISUAL FEDERATION REVIEW 2006 Film & Television Production in Ireland Audiovisual Federation Review 2006 IBEC Audiovisual Federation The Audiovisual Federation consists of IBEC member companies involved in Ireland’s audiovisual industry. These include broadcasters, producers, animation studios, facilities and other organisations supporting the sector. The Federation has a number of objectives designed to support Ireland’s audiovisual production and distribution industry. These include promotion of the sector, representing the views of members to relevant bodies and submitting the industry view on relevant policy. The Audiovisual Federation maintains an economic database for the Irish audiovisual production sector and publishes the results in an annual report with an economic analysis on the benefits of the audiovisual sector to the Irish economy. In order to sustain the growth and development within the sector during the last number of years the Federation has sought internationally competitive financial incentives and international co-production treaties. Together with Enterprise Ireland the Federation organises conferences, seminars, and workshops on relevant audiovisual issues. The Audiovisual Federation is a member of the Irish Business Employers Confederation (IBEC) and is affiliated to ICT Ireland - The Voice of Technology within IBEC. Chair: Pádhraic Ó Ciardha, TG4 Vice Chair: Andrew Lowe, Element Films Secretariat: Tommy McCabe, Director Peter Scott, Executive Fiona Harrison, Executive Carolyn Doumeni, Personal Assistant Tel: 01-605 1528 Fax: 01-638 1528 email: [email protected] Web: www.ibec.ie/avf - 1 - Ireland in their words “I’ve always enjoyed filming in Ireland mainly because the local crews are so willing and capable, but also because people welcome you with open arms. Where we filmed the mountain scenes for ‘The Wind that Shakes the Barley’, is stunningly beautiful and very unspoilt. We had terrific support from all the local people.” Rebecca O’Brien, Producer - ‘The Wind that Shakes the Barley’ Rebecca O’Brien “I first came to Ireland on a location scout in 1995 and have never stopped coming back. I had the opportunity to produce the two hour drama ‘Stardust’ for RTÉ in 2005, and it was one of the best experiences ever. I have produced in Africa as well as several places in Europe and the US, and without a doubt the talent base, both in front of and behind the camera is second to none.” Norman Siderow, Producer - ‘Stardust’ Norman Siderow “Due to the foresight of the Irish Film Board, a dedicated and resilient crew, incredible Irish acting talent and an amazing script, success was always on the cards for Martin Mc Donagh’s film debut SIX SHOOTER.” John McDonnell, Producer - ‘Six Shooter’ John McDonnell “If you are shooting a movie about contemporary Ireland, as I was with ‘The Tiger's Tail’, it is obviously an advantage to shoot it right here! It is also a pleasure to make it with a cast and crew I have worked with over the years, some going back to ‘Zardoz’ in 1973.” John Boorman, Producer/Director - ‘The Tigers Tail’ John Boorman “I’m proud and happy that our animated feature films ‘Ugly Duckling and Me’ and ‘Way to the Stars’ are sold all over the world and that Magma Films and Ireland is now recognised as a quality brand and as top players in the European Animation Champions League. The steady support of the Film Board, Section 481 and the creative environment around the Irish animation industry helped us greatly to get there.” Ralph Christians, Executive Producer - ‘Ugly Duckling and Me’ Ralph Christians “Shooting in Ireland is a real pleasure. On ‘The Front Line’, we had many days of very complicated and busy set-ups in Dublin city centre. That we walked away from the shoot, not only with everything we needed in the can but also with a smile on our faces, is testament to the wonderful spirit we encountered from the Irish crew and the many hundreds who helped us out for a simple ‘thank you’.” Nathalie Liechtenthaeler, Producer - ‘The Front Line’ Nathalie Liechtenthaeler “In terms of documentary, we have been lucky enough to work on a broad range of projects this year with TG4. Their willingness to tackle stories which are unusual, quirky and always exploring another slant on Irish life, remains unparalleled. With the continued support of our national broadcasters, Irish documentaries can continue to compete with the best of them on a world stage.” Brian Reddin – Producer/Director - Uachtarán Brian Reddin - 2 - AUDIO VISUAL FEDERATION REVIEW 2006 Audiovisual Federation Review 2006 The data in this report relates to feature films, independent TV productions (including major TV dramas) and animation projects where the majority of the work was carried out in 2005. It also gives an overview of productions to date in 2006. This is the twelfth report on the audiovisual sector, which was drawn up under the auspices of the following organisations – members of the Audiovisual Federation Database Steering Committee: G Chairman AF Database Steering Committee Kevin Moriarty, Ardmore Studios G Bord Scannán na hÉireann/Irish Film Board Teresa McGrane Patrick O’Neill G Radio Telefís Éireann Michael Hyland Rose King G TG4 Pádhraic Ó Ciardha Máire Ní Chadháin Sile Bhreathnach G An Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta/ Sabina O’Donnell The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism G Screen Producers Ireland David McLoughlin Aaron Farrell G Facilities Kevin Moriarty, Ardmore Studios G Animation Sector Paul Cummins, Telegael G Audiovisual Federation of IBEC Tommy McCabe (Director) Peter Scott Fiona Harrison Carolyn Doumeni Eoin Keogh, (IBEC Research and Information Services) This data for this report was compiled by the Research and Information Services of IBEC. Acknowledgements: The Audiovisual Federation is very much indebted to the members of the Steering Committee for their commitment and guidance in producing this report. The Audiovisual Federation Review 2006 © 2006 IBEC Prepared by the Audiovisual Federation of IBEC Affiliated to ICT Ireland IBEC Audiovisual Federation Confederation House 84/86 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ibec.ie/avf - 3 - Contents Foreword 5 Achoimre Feidhme 6 Executive Summary 7 Chapter 1: The Irish Audiovisual Sector – 2005/2006 Review 8 Chapter 2: Economic Analysis 2005 15 Chapter 3: The Irish Audiovisual Sector – 2005/2006 Review International Context 18 Appendices: 20 Appendix I: Economic Analysis 2005 21 Appendix II: Production Details – Summary 1996 - 2005 Comparison 25 Appendix III: Production Details – By Type of Production – 2005 26 Appendix IV: Funding Details – By Type of Production - 2005 27 Appendix V: Contribution of the Irish Film Sector to the Irish Economy 2005 28 Appendix VI: Clarification Notes 30 Appendix VII: Section 481 Investment 31 Appendix VIII: Agencies Involved with the Film Production Industry in Ireland 32 Appendix IX: List of Productions included in the Report 2005 and 2006 35 - 4 - AUDIO VISUAL FEDERATION REVIEW 2006 Foreword The annual Audiovisual Federation Review of Film and Television Production in Ireland has been an important resource for monitoring the growth and trends within the industry over the years. Independent television production, including major TV drama, continued its healthy growth in 2005 and a significant increase is projected for 2006. RTÉ, TG4, BCI and the Government’s Section 481 incentives are significant sources of funding for the independent production sector. RTÉ’s commitment to independent programme production, which spans the entire range of programme genres, is significantly in excess of its statutory requirement. The dramatic increase projected for 2006 is influenced by “The Tudors”, a 10 episode series for Showtime in the US. An investment by the Irish Film Board played a role in attracting this series to Ireland. There was a significant decrease in feature film production activity in 2005. While there is some improvement projected for 2006 as a result of measures undertaken by the Government and the Irish Film Board, the ongoing changes, particularly the incentives in competing jurisdictions, means that Ireland is currently not competitive for international feature film activity. The IBEC Audiovisual Federation has analysed the lack of competitiveness of Section 481 as compared to the incentives in other jurisdictions and has presented a number of possible amendments to Government for consideration to address this serious situation. These involve increasing the write off available to individual investors from the current level of 80%, amending the definition of eligible spend to include all film making activity in the state and increasing the cap from the current level of G35m. The future of the audiovisual industry, be it indigenous development or growth in inward investment, is influenced significantly by Ireland’s competitiveness in the international marketplace. As Governments compete for this business, recognising its economic and cultural importance and influence on tourism, the sustained support which the Irish Government