Fresh from receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Ulster University, Governor Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger toured Studio Ulster yesterday, a state‑of‑the‑art virtual production complex, developed by Ulster University, where he praised the facility’s cutting‑edge technology and its potential to shape the future of filmmaking. There, he met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP.
Studio Ulster is the result of a £72 million investment, part-funded through the Belfast Region City Deal which is backed by the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and local partners. Developed by Ulster University in partnership with Belfast Harbour and supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the facility offers large-scale virtual production stages that set new global standards for real-time filmmaking. It is designed to elevate the UK and Ireland’s capacity for commercial studio production using advanced in-camera visual effects, establishing a world-class benchmark for the industry.
During his visit, Dr Schwarzenegger explored Studio Ulster’s advanced LED volume stage, gaining a behind‑the‑scenes look at how Studio Ulster is pushing the boundaries of real‑time storytelling. Impressed by the scale and sophistication of the studio, he described it as a powerful example of innovation.
Of Studio Ulster, Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger said: “This is incredible – it's an amazing facility that seems so advanced. It changes how actors can work - they can more easily imagine themselves in the world, even stand in these worlds, and change quickly between universes. It means for film-makers, that it does not limit your location – it does not limit from where and what, you can film. You can move between worlds and places – the only limit is your imagination.”
Studio Ulster is designed to support productions at every scale, from blockbuster films and high-end television to AAA game development and world-class animation. The facility integrates real-time engines, in-camera visual effects, volumetric capture, and motion tracking into a seamless, sustainable pipeline that redefines how stories are created, rendered, and delivered.
His visit highlights Ulster University’s growing impact on film, animation, and immersive media. Through Studio Ulster, a $96 million virtual production complex alongside the CoSTAR Screen Lab and the Ulster Screen Academy, the University is equipping graduates with the skills needed for one of the world’s fastest‑growing creative sectors. Already attracting major productions and creating new highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland, Studio Ulster stands at the forefront of global filmmaking and reflects the region’s rise as a hub for world‑class digital storytelling.
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