Siobhan and Edel help extras agency celebrate 10 years as lifeblood of local film industry

NORTHERN IRELAND’S LEADING EXTRAS AGENCY CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE LOCAL FILM & TV INDUSTRY

· Extras NI rebrands and relaunches as The Extras Dept. after 10 years of success.

· Record-breaking year: 20,167 days of work for local TV and film extras in 2016, an increase of over 55% in 2 years. Extras earned in total approx. £1.9million, the equivalent to 80 people being employed full-time.

· The Extras Dept. introduces innovative paperless casting system and announces plans to open a Dublin office and move in to RoI market in 2017.

· Over 200 extras take part in a blood drive with Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service at Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast (on Tues 7 March)

Extras NI, Northern Ireland’s first and largest extras agency has celebrated ten successful years of being the lifeblood of Northern Ireland’s film and TV industry by making a number of significant announcements recently (Tuesday 7 March 2017).

Following a major rebranding exercise, Extras NI has officially relaunched as The Extras Dept., a name that incorporates all that the company has become to the many film and television productions that are being made in Northern Ireland.

The Extras Dept. has over 17,000 registered extras, aged from 2 to 90, and from all walks of life, on its books. It has provided thousands of background artists to support national and international productions such as BBC’s The Fall and HBO’s Game of Thrones.

The company marked this important milestone by hosting a major blood drive with Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service with over 200 extras at Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast.

Siobhan Allan, Co-Founder and Finance Director, The Extras Dept., explained why they wanted to mark this significant anniversary by encouraging blood donors:

“The Extras Dept. has been involved in providing extras and stand-ins for film and television productions for over 10 years and we wanted to give something back. So, to symbolise all the blood, sweat and tears that have not only gone into the last ten years of building the company, but also to rebalance all the blood that has been spilled in the countless film and television programmes that we have provided extras for, we decided to partner with Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service to host a blood drive at the iconic filming location, Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.”

The Extras Dept. has just celebrated a record-breaking year thanks to its work in 2016 with nine major productions as well as a number of commercials and smaller productions.

The number of days worked by the company’s extras has increased by 55% in just two years. Last year there were 3,900 individual extras working on productions shooting in Northern Ireland last year, culminating in a total of 20,167 days worked. This represents an increase of 7,149 days since 2014. The extras themselves earned in total approx. £1.9million in 2016, the equivalent of 80 people being employed full time on an annual basis. The highest extras numbers were courtesy of Game of Thrones followed by Lost City of Z (due to be released in Spring 2017) and BBC police drama Line of Duty.

Carla Stronge, Co-Founder and Director, The Extras Dept., and a two-time Emmy winner for her work on Game of Thrones (‘Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series 2015 & 2016’), discussed:

“The last ten years have been a rollercoaster for The Extras Dept. The screen industries in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have grown significantly in recent years, and The Extras Dept. has mirrored this growth as it has sought to meet the industry’s evolving needs.

“TV and film sets are far from glamorous! The days are long and it can be demanding. However, every day is different and you certainly won’t ever watch a film or tv programme the same way after spending a day on set! Our role is to keep everyone happy – the productions we facilitate and our lovely extras themselves! We have continuously invested in, and developed, our systems of work so that we are at the forefront of our industry. Our aim is to ensure that our extras have a positive working experience, and that the production companies’ experience is hassle-free and seamless.”

Carla continued: “The Extras Dept. team will never stop striving for excellence. Over the last ten years we have been developing a bespoke casting system, enhancing it year on year with Atto Partners. We have recognised that by developing our software and our staff we can continue to exceed expectations and compete on an international level. The Extras Dept. has also provided a unique doorway to gain on set experience and train local crew members who have gone on to excel in the industry in their own right.”

Emma Sweeney, Managing Director, The Extras Dept., who has also recently been appointed as Business Partner in the company and will oversee the management of the company’s new Dublin office, outlined the company’s plans for the future:

“This year we will be introducing our new Dublin office. Our film production clients are increasingly asking us to help them fill their extras roles in the Republic of Ireland, in the same way that we do in Northern Ireland. Our new innovative paperless casting system will help minimise any geographical issues that may have presented some challenges in the past. It is certainly an exciting time ahead for The Extras Dept. and we are looking forward to making a big impact in the Republic of Ireland.”

Congratulating The Extras Dept. on their 10th anniversary, Game of Thrones creators David Benioff & D.B. Weiss said:

“From the beginning, The Extras Dept. have been an integral part of Game of Thrones, making our make-believe world seem real. Wildlings, Northmen, Lannisters, Dothraki and Unsullied -- we’ve populated our mythic lands with hardworking men, women and children who get up earlier than everyone else, enduring foul weather, filthy costumes, and grumpy Americans. We want to thank the team for finding such remarkable background talent for us, year after year, with grace and good humor. Happy 10th Birthday, Extras Dept., and many happy returns. Your fans, D&D.”

Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen added: “We would like to congratulate Extras NI on reaching 10 years as a company. It is a huge milestone and is a testament to the team’s hard work and talent. It is a true Northern Ireland success story, which Northern Ireland Screen has been happy to support with trainees over the years. We send them our sincere good wishes for the future as The Extras Dept.”

Thanking the Extras Dept. for their help with the blood drive at Crumlin Road Gaol. Emma Sloan, Marketing Officer for NI Blood Transfusion Service said: “We are delighted to have the support of The Extras Dept. during their anniversary celebrations. Each of their registered extras who donate will be taking on the role of a life-saver and will help 500 patients here who need a transfusion each week. Giving blood is such an easy thing to do and, it has amazing results, it could be used to save the life of a child with leukaemia, a mother during child birth someone undergoing a routine operation or someone with cancer.”

In recent years The Extras Dept. has been involved with many productions including: Game of Thrones; The Fall; Line of Duty; High Rise; Dracula Untold; Hunger; Good Vibrations; City of Ember; Starred Up; and Your Highness.

For further information please check out www.theextrasdept.com

Edel Scanlon (37), lives in Lisburn (originally from Limerick). Productions Edel has been involved in as an extra: The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby (2012). Game of Thrones S3, 6, & 7 (2012 - 2016). DOE Commercial (2013). Line of Duty S1 & 3 (2013 - 2016). The Fall (2014 - 2016) . Lost City of Z (2015 – this film is due in cinemas soon) . The Secret (2015). The Lodge (2016). (Edel is featured in the photos at the blood drive yesterday – captions embedded)

4) Local Extras who have been the recipients of blood donations (videos of individual stories can be viewed on The Extras Dept.’s facebook page)

Siobhan Hussey (60) from Hillsborough

Productions: Line of Duty S4.

“On Christmas Eve 1983 I gave birth to a very beautiful baby girl. On Christmas Day when I woke up I was very tired and dizzy. I couldn’t breathe and it became apparent very quickly that I had been hemorrhaging overnight. I went to theatre where I received five pints of blood. I have no idea who my unnamed heroes are. I wish I did know because if I did know I could throw my arms around them and I could thank them. I could thank them for allowing me to watch that adorable baby girl grow up into the most beautiful, competent woman she now is. I’d love to just thank them for allowing me to cuddle, love and watch her baby boy grow up. Unnamed heroes are people who step up. They’re not people who say I don’t have time. What I would like you all to do is please is to step up and remember for a little bit of your time you will give somebody a lifetime.”

Nana-Marie Baiden, 34, from Dunmurry, Belfast:“Working as an extra is a wonderful experience. I have been very fortunate to have worked on quite a number of productions, getting to see how it all comes together and the sheer amount of work it entails. Despite the early rises and the long hours, I thoroughly enjoy my time on and off set, and have met some great people from all walks of life. As extras, or ‘supporting artists’ we are well taken care of and as long as there is plenty of food everybody’s happy! I would like to thank The Extras Dept. for these experiences, which of course wouldn’t have happened without them! I hope there are plenty more to come!”

Productions that Nana Baiden has been involved in: Paula, Line of Duty, The Lodge, Game of Thrones, Lost City of Z, Millie Inbetween, Morgan, The Frankenstein Chronicles, The Truth Commissioner, Halo: Nightfall and The Fall. Nana was a long running continuity extra for the Disney production “The Lodge”, and The Extras Dept. is hoping to have her back for S2.