NIFC announce opening of Arista script development centre

ARISTA has opened its Script Development Centre in Belfast – only its second office site in Europe.
Arista, one of Europe’s premier training providers for writers and producers in film and television, has been contracted by the Northern Ireland Film Commission (NIFC) to manage its slate of 50 film and television productions currently in development.
Along with its work with the NIFC, Arista Belfast will run a series of workshops in Belfast and Derry over the coming months for producers, writers and editors.
Colin Anderson, Chairman of the NIFC said: “The NIFC is delighted to be associated with this exciting landmark in the development of the industry in Northern Ireland. The NIFC is committed to unlocking, developing and supporting the creativity that exists right here in Northern Ireland – to allow film and television productions from here to compete on a world stage.”
Arista is headed by Stephen Cleary, who is widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest script-development experts. He has said of the new venture: “Past Arista workshops have had more participants from Northern Ireland than any other region in the UK. The intended effect of Arista Belfast is to make Northern Ireland’s screenwriting a recognisable force in European film and television and to help local talent to knock on more doors than they previously thought possible.”
The Arista Belfast Development Centre will present regular monthly workshops at minimal cost to the film and television community, including an introduction to Los Angeles scriptwriting practices, a workshop on legal issues, an adapting for screen workshop and a treatment workshop.
Arista will also be relocating its online publishing operation to Belfast and recruiting and training local talent to look after this fast-growing side of the Arista business. A full six-monthly programme of events will be announced and hopes are that links with other local players, most importantly BBC Northern Ireland’s drama department, will be forged. (GMcG)