Knight work available in Belfast in coming months

IF YOU fancy working on a medieval fantasy epic set in a vast and violent kingdom, then Belfast is the place to be over the next couple of months.

Nearly 100 new jobs will be created in the city as production of the new HBO television series The Game of Thronesgets under way in June.

The US cable network HBO commissioned nine episodes of the TV series following a successful pilot shot in Belfast last year.

The series, which will star Holywood star Sean Bean, will be mainly filmed in the massive Paint Hall studios in east Belfast, which is a former paint hall of Harland Wolff.

Northern Ireland Screen, the national screen agency for the North, is helping to facilitate the first recruitment campaign to find the people who will bring The Game of Thronesto life.

The TV series is based on books by American author George RR Martin, who is currently telling fans via his blog that Northern Ireland is the place to be this year if they want to be part of the small-screen production.

Mr Martin blogs: “I get e-mails all the time from fans who want to be part of the filming. Well, now’s your chance . . . here’s the skinny,” he says, before directing them to Northern Ireland Screen’s web page where the jobs are advertised. (http://www.northernireland screen.co.uk/page.asp?id=239).

It is estimated the HBO series has the potential to deliver a £20 million boost to the local economy.

The scale of the production will mean that a significant number of new jobs in key areas such as camera operators, directing, costume and props will be up for grabs in Belfast.

Rick Hill, chairman of Northern Ireland Screen, said The Game of Throneswas one of the biggest TV series ever to be produced in Europe. He believes it will help boost the North's production sector and develop the local industry.

“This is a real coup for Northern Ireland,” Mr Hill added, “and further cements our reputation as a leading centre for film and television production, as we continue driving global growth in one of the most powerful and vibrant industries in the world.”