Studio Ulster

What Studio Ulster does

Studio Ulster is a purpose-built virtual production campus located at Belfast Harbour Studios in Northern Ireland, operated as a subsidiary of Ulster University in partnership with Belfast Harbour Commission and Northern Ireland Screen. The £72 million, 75,000 sq ft facility houses three LED volume virtual production stages (including the flagship VP1, a NantStudios-certified Dynamic Volume system at 12,750 sq ft), Europe's tallest motion capture stage, a globally unique 3D/4D volumetric scanning suite, integrated post-production suites, and a Dolby-certified screening room. Officially opened in June 2025, the facility also hosts one of five CoSTAR Screen Labs funded through a £75.6 million UKRI/AHRC national research network.

The company generates revenue primarily through enterprise rental of its virtual production stages, motion capture facilities, volumetric scanning, and integrated post-production services to film, television, gaming, and interactive content producers. Customers include major broadcasters (BBC, ITV, ZDF Germany), production companies (Mammoth Screen, Stellify Media, Alcon Television, Stigma Films), and the company operates a direct enterprise field-sales motion with a dedicated commercial team and bidding producer function. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; bookings are secured via direct enquiry. Studio Ulster has positioned itself as a vertically integrated production ecosystem, combining commercial production with embedded R&D — a model that distinguishes it from traditional dry-hire studio operators.

The business operates under a public-sector-academic ownership structure: Ulster University leads development with co-funding from the Belfast Region City Deal, Belfast Harbour Commission, and Northern Ireland Screen, plus AHRC/UKRI research funding via the CoSTAR network. CEO Professor Declan Keeney (BBC veteran, BFI Northern Ireland Governor) leads the commercial team alongside Chairman Professor Anthony Lilley OBE and Head of Virtual Production Kyle Olson. The facility leverages Northern Ireland's 1,200+ skilled local crew base and benefits from UK screen sector tax reliefs, creating a multi-layered cost and capability advantage for productions seeking Northern Ireland as a base.

Name

Studio Ulster

Legal name

Studio Ulster

Website

https://studioulster.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Studio Ulster is a purpose-built virtual production campus in Belfast, Northern Ireland, operated by Ulster University. It rents LED volume stages, Europe's tallest motion capture stage, 3D/4D volumetric scanning, and post-production services to film, TV, gaming, and interactive content producers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Virtual Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Virtual Production Stages & LED Volume Operators (MPAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Camera VFX (ICVFX) Systems Integration & Workflows (MPAHADAE), Post-Production Facilities & Stage Services (Edit Suites, Screening Rooms) (MPAHAAAJ)

Keywords

• Virtual production services
• Motion capture studio
• LED volume stages
• Volumetric scanning
• Post-production facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Studio Rental and Production Services: Studio Ulster generates revenue through rental of its virtual production stages, motion capture facilities, and integrated post-production services to film, TV, gaming, and animation production companies. Services include ICVFX stage bookings, performance capture sessions, volumetric scanning, and post-production finishing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Studio Ulster rents virtual production stages, motion capture facilities, volumetric scanning services, and integrated post-production capabilities to film, TV, gaming, and interactive content production companies. The facility operates three LED volume stages (including a NantStudios-certified Dynamic Volume flagship), Europe's tallest motion capture stage, a globally unique 3D/4D volumetric scanning suite, and post-production suites under a single 75,000 sq ft campus. Services are delivered to enterprise clients through direct engagement, supporting ICVFX filming, performance capture, real-time rendering, and seamless shoot-to-screen workflows.

Product overview

Studio Ulster is a unified virtual production campus offering an integrated production ecosystem under one roof. The core offering consists of three virtual production (VP) stages (VP1, VP2, VP3), Europe's tallest motion capture stage, a 3D/4D volumetric scanning suite, post-production suites, and a screening room. VP1 serves as the flagship NantStudios-certified Dynamic Volume stage, VP2 handles car processing and moderate productions, while VP3 doubles as the CoSTAR Screen Lab research facility. The facility supports film & TV, gaming, post-production, and interactive content production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VP Stage 1 (VP1) Flagship virtual production stage spanning 12,750 sq ft with 55 ft ceiling height, featuring a NantStudios certified Dynamic Volume system with nine configurable walls and five motorised ceiling pods across six distinct configurations. Designed for large-scale film, TV, and commercial productions requiring maximum creative flexibility.
• VP Stage 2 (VP2) State-of-the-art virtual production stage spanning 4,600 sq ft with 55 ft ceiling height, featuring a curved LED wall with ROE 2.2 pixel pitch and LED ceiling with full tracking and remote operation capability. Ideal for car processing and moderate-scale productions.
• VP Stage 3 (VP3) / CoSTAR Screen Lab 2,240 sq ft stage at 13 ft height, the only stage with both LED ceiling and LED floor for a unified workflow. Home to the CoSTAR Screen Lab research facility. Used for costume tests, pickups, and promo shoots, and serving as the R&D hub for next-generation virtual production research.
• Motion Capture Stage Europe's tallest motion capture stage at 55 ft to the steel, accommodating up to six performers simultaneously. Features a specialist overhead truss system for stunt rigging and industry-leading optical tracking with real-time visualisation systems. Used for gaming, film, and performance capture.
• 3D/4D Volumetric Scanning Suite Globally unique combination of 3D and 4D volumetric scanning capabilities for high-fidelity digital capture, supporting performance capture for game development and cinematic productions.
• Post-Production Suites Integrated post-production facilities equipped for DaVinci Resolve colour grading, VFX, editing, and finishing in high-resolution workflows in Media Composer. Offers seamless transitions from shoot to screen with global data transfer capabilities.
• Screening Room

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces physical set construction and location travel costs significantly
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• ITV Studios / Mammoth Screen / ZDF GermanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Co-producers of the six-part lunar series 'First Woman' starring Andrea Riseborough and Ashley Walters. ITV Studios-owned Mammoth Screen is producing for ITV with ZDF Germany.
• CoSTAR Screen Lab NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2025Studio Ulster hosts one of five CoSTAR Screen Labs in the UK, part of a £75.6 million AHRC-funded national research network. This partnership positions the facility at the forefront of R&D in screen and creative technologies, with four other facilities across the UK collaborating on next-generation virtual production research.
• Stellify MediaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Belfast-based production company (Sony Pictures Television company) producing BBC docu-drama 'Titanic Sinks Tonight' at Studio Ulster. First production to shoot at the facility.
• Ulster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped by Ulster University, Studio Ulster is a subsidiary of the university and part of Belfast Region City Deal. Ulster University leads the CoSTAR Screen Lab consortium and provides academic research integration.
• Belfast Harbour CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing the £72 million virtual production campus located at Belfast Harbour Studios.
• Northern Ireland ScreencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported by Northern Ireland Screen, which provides funding and strategic support for the facility and its productions.
• NantStudioscoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with NantStudios to develop VP1, the flagship virtual production stage featuring a NantStudios certified Dynamic Volume system.
• Poli Vision / Poli ProductionsmajorTechnology or IntegrationLocal company collaborating on the Titanic series, developing advanced solutions for challenging scenes including water effects and historical environments.
• Alcon TelevisionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner'Blade Runner 2099' firm attached to co-produce the 'First Woman' series alongside Mammoth Screen and ZDF.
• UNIT VFXmajorTechnology or IntegrationVisual effects partner working with Mammoth Screen and Alcon delivering creative VFX during production of 'First Woman'.
• Future Screens NIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the S.U.R.F (Skills for Urban and Rural Futures) scheme delivered by CoSTAR Screen Lab team to train young people in virtual production and games design.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cinesite: Major international VFX and post-production company with growing virtual production capability. Competes for post-production, color grading, and visual effects work that Studio Ulster bundles into its integrated facility offering.
• DNEG: Major global visual effects and post-production services company with growing virtual production and real-time technology capabilities. Competes in adjacent post-production and VFX services that Studio Ulster bundles into its integrated offering.
• Pinewood Studios: Iconic UK film and television studio group with extensive soundstage infrastructure and an expanding virtual production footprint. A broader incumbent offering VP services alongside its traditional stage and production support business, directly competing for UK and international productions.
• Framestore: Leading global VFX, animation, and immersive content studio with extensive virtual production capabilities and high-profile film/TV project experience. A broader incumbent that competes for post-production and integrated visual storytelling work.

Others

• NantStudios: Operates multiple virtual production stages globally (including El Segundo) and is Studio Ulster's technology partner — having certified Studio Ulster's VP1 as a Dynamic Volume system. Functions as both a technology licensor/partner and an indirect competitor for international VP bookings.

Emerging players

• Drylight Studios: UK-based virtual production studio operating an LED volume stage targeting film, TV, and advertising productions. An emerging player in the same niche as Studio Ulster with comparable workflow but smaller scale, serving as a benchmark for capacity and pricing.

Direct peers

• Trilith Studios: Atlanta-based studio complex housing one of the largest purpose-built virtual production LED volume stages in North America (Trilith Stageworks), used by major Hollywood productions. Directly comparable to Studio Ulster as a full-service VP stage operator serving film and episodic content.
• Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden: Warner Bros.-owned UK studio complex that houses the 17,000 sq ft Stage 15 virtual production LED volume stage used for major productions including House of the Dragon. A direct peer in scale, technology, and customer profile (large film/TV productions).
• Sky Studios Elstree: Sky-owned studio complex in the UK that has invested in virtual production capabilities including LED volume stages to support original Sky and third-party productions. Operates in the same UK ecosystem as Studio Ulster with similar tax-relief-driven business model.
• ARRI Stage Berlin: Berlin-based LED volume virtual production stage operated by ARRI, serving European film and episodic productions with high-end VP infrastructure. Directly comparable as a European VP stage operator targeting the same international production base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studio-ulster
• Instagraminstagram.com/studio.ulster

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Studio Ulster