Windmill Lane is Ireland’s leading picture and sound post-production, VFX and content creation studio. Having traded for 45 years – the business is abuzz with several projects ranging from Irish TV shows to international post-production work. In addition to working on ads and traditional television, it is benefitting from the tremendous success of streamers including Paramount, Netflix and Disney+.
45 Year Anniversary
2023 marks 45 years since Windmill Lane opened their doors as a music recording studio in the Dublin Docklands – famous for producing U2’s first five albums. Now based on Herbert Street, Dublin 2, the company provides post production services for film, tv and commercials covering audio, colour grading, animation, VFX and editing. Head of Production Deborah Doherty outlines where they are now and the vision moving forward: “On the VFX side we have had great success recently dealing with (among others) HBO, Disney+, Netflix, Paramount, AMC and BBC, but our focus is strong regarding the domestic front and providing the highest service in film, tv, commercials and animation.”
Irish Film, TV & Animation
To support this focus the company has recently unveiled major upgrades to its world class multi-room audio facility, including the installation of Dolby Atmos, a revolutionary spatial audio technology providing the most immersive sound experience. The new studios, featuring Avid and Genelec equipment, ensure Windmill Lane will continue to operate at the highest standard of post-production.
On the colour front Windmill Lane has installed a new FLUX Store 360 and upgraded its existing pair of Baselight TWO systems, allowing it to keep up to date with new technologies and workflows while improving the colour team’s connectivity, speed and performance. The Baselight TWO upgrade and new FLUX Store have provided immediate workflow benefits as well as the option to further expand in the future.
Both investments serve to exemplify the importance of domestic projects to ensure Irish content is produced to the highest standard. Having recently provided full post production on RTÉ’s massively successful crime drama KIN, Windmill Lane prides itself on making great stories about Irish life and showcasing them to a global audience.
On 5 July 2023 Disney+ will release Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. This animated anthology, by Irish based animation studio Triggerfish, brings together a new wave of animation stars to take you on a wildly entertaining ride into Africa’s future. Inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures, these action-packed sci-fi and fantasy stories present bold visions of advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters imagined from uniquely African perspectives. Windmill Lane provided colour, sound editing & mix services on this ambitious project.
Commercials
Having begun their audio visual journey in advertising, in the late 1980’s, Windmill Lane’s passion for commercials remains as fervent today as it was upon foundation. With the appointment of key staff and the promotion of Jess Felton to Head of Commercials, Windmill Lane has issued a statement of intent for 2023 and beyond.
VFX
One of the latest projects the team have been working on is Netflix’s Bodkin – with Windmill Lane being the lead VFX vendor. A group of podcasters set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in an idyllic Irish town. But when they start to pull the strings, they find a story much bigger and stranger than they could have imagined. Barack and Michelle Obama serve as executive producers on the Netflix thriller, which has been filming in West Cork since 2022.
Another thriller Windmill Lane has recently provided VFX for is Paramount+ Joe Pickett. This American neo-Western crime drama TV series is based on characters created by novelist C.J. Box and follows a game warden and his family during a changing political and socio-economic climate in a small rural town. The second season aired on 4th June 2023.
The VFX on Netflix’s Wendell & Wild last year saw Windmill Lane working alongside Oscar nominated director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline) and Oscar winning Jordan Peele (Get Out, Nope). With the global demand for streaming content that exists – this department of Windmill Lane has evolved quickly but their credit list to date bodes for the future.
Young Talent
The recent success of Irish film on the global stage such as An Cailín Ciúin’s Oscar nomination would not be possible without adequate and thought-out grassroot support & development for young filmmaking talent in Ireland. Over the last 12 months Marketing Manager Jason Gaffney has laid-out a nationwide roadmap with 2nd and 3rd level colleges to nurture the next generation of talent and position Windmill Lane as a leading source of knowledge, education and experience through internships, workshops and studio tours. Jason states, “The Irish film & TV sector as a machine does not work unless all cogs are moving in the right direction. We are one of those cogs and have full faith in Ireland’s talent & next generation. We want to support them and help them bring Irish stories to a worldwide audience – from college projects to low-budget shorts.”
The Future
Post Covid, Windmill Lane has had to adapt in many areas including technology, personnel, remote working and client expectations while demands on staff have increased. This can be tricky to manage but going forward the focus remains on employee well-being and happiness to produce the best work: “We want to continue ensuring Windmill Lane is an amazing place to work, that there is a culture of ‘having each other’s backs’ and this is a growing and dynamic company. The job is tough and some days are long but when you get these moments where you are sitting in a cinema, or at home watching TV, and you see something that you’ve been a part of, you feel an immense sense of pride,” says Deborah.
“We want to support them and help them bring Irish stories to a worldwide audience – from college projects to low-budget shorts.”
Post Covid
“We have had a huge refresh with new people starting, new equipment installed and new work coming in across the board including features, dramas and commercials to VFX work that has put us on the international map. There is a real energy with people being back in the building and this is feeding into our creativity.”
Content Demand
“With the fast paced demand for content globally – Ireland and Windmill Lane are now in a league where we can compete for content. We have talented staff and a tax break that is inviting. The studios are not thinking twice about awarding work to Irish companies. We are now a mature market that is on the map and the success can be seen. We are reaping the reward but so are our industry partners. ”
Tech Advancements
“There are a myriad of ways in which you need to be adaptable and ready to learn. We, as a business, have to adapt constantly especially when it comes to VFX. When I joined the business nearly 18 years ago – there was a culture of everybody learning and upskilling. That is as prevalent now as it was back then. Even more so with how quickly things change.”
Work/Life Balance
“As a mother of two, and as every working mother knows, you are constantly on the go. I am fortunate in that I have support from my husband at home and my colleagues at work – in terms of flexibility. Ever since (Windmill Lane) worked on My Little Pony: A New Generation – my childrens’ admiration for what I do in work has increased.”
