isle of man offshore media...
TRANSCRIPT
The Isle of Media is the national
development agency for the thriving Isle of
Man audio-visual sector.
Set up as a not-for-profit Public Private
Partnership to drive the inward investment in
Digital Media and foster the indigenous
industry and talent, we provide pro-bono
advice to develop your next media project on
the Isle of Man.
Promoting the Island’s excellent capabilities
in financing and growing media ventures, its
stunning filming locations, its exceptional
talent and world class telecommunications
infrastructure, we support and attract the
whole supply chain of the industry:
production to post-production, distributors,
ad agencies, consultancies, video tech and
broadcasting & streaming platforms.
Join Europe’s unique Offshore media cluster!
Enjoy an alternative safe country lifestyle in
the proximity of the city media hubs Dublin,
Belfast, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
Live your dream!
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man
Contents
Isle of Man
Taxation
Financing
Production
Location, Location
Genres
Studios & Post Production
eSports & Video Games
Content Distribution
Connectivity & Broadcast
Education & Talent
Actors & Vloggers
Festivals
Lifestyle
Offices
Mark Rowland, chairman C21 and CEO Formatzone:
“We are delighted to be launching an international format business on the island. The skills
involved to develop the business are all here, from TV production expertise to finance and
marketing.”
Laurence Llewelyn Bowen in the ultimate makeover show: “Laurence of Suburbia” 3
5
General Speed Limit no
Unemployment <1
Private Jet Centre 1
Private Schools 2
Ferry Routes 4
Airlines 5
Golf Courses 9
Years of unbroken economic growth 30
Flights to London per week 50
Yearly sunshine hours 1578
Citizens 85000
A 1000 year old parliament tradition of Norse origin, the
world’s first nation to give women voting rights, no
general speed limit and low taxes, the Isle of Man runs
ahead of the Zeitgeist, while preserving its identity.
Located right in the middle of the Irish Sea, a flight hour
from the English capital, the Ibiza sized Island is the
only entire jurisdiction in the world to be awarded as a
UNESCO World Biosphere Region. The Gulf Stream
moderates the climate: there is an abundance of palm
trees and even wallabies populating the highlands.
What’s more the island enjoys more hours of sunshine
than Zurich or London.
Heritage & High Tech co-exist. Stone and bronze age
relics, Viking and Norman castles, Victorian sea bath
waterfronts are as visible as Hipsters and the startup
scene. Pubs take Bitcoins as well as the Pound Sterling.
The Isle of Man, ranking the 5th richest nation in the
world by GNP per capita, offers significant financial
support for new businesses of its diversified economy.
Its Digital Media Cluster, as part of the Creative
Industries and Tech sector, features global video
production and distribution, local film making and co-
productions and the necessary tech infrastructure for
broadcast and streaming. More than 100 feature films
including Oscar nominations have been produced and
shot on island. Dedicated partnerships with Venture
Capital supports our future media sector strategy.
The Isle of Media is a non-for profit Public Private
Partnership with Government helping you to start up.
Isle of Man
Acknowledged August 2017 by the OECD for its
tax transparency, the Isle of Man is one of the few
achievers of the ‘top compliance’ rating.
For companies in the Media sector the standard
rate of corporate income tax is 0%. There is no
capital gains tax (e.g. when you exit), no
withholding tax (e.g. on rights deals), no wealth tax,
no stamp duty, no death duty or inheritance tax in
the Isle of Man.
The Island operates a simple taxation regime with
a lower rate of tax on individuals of 10%, a higher
rate of 20% and an 5-year election for a tax cap of
£150,000 on personal income for the current tax
year 2018-2019.
For ‘Key Employees’ there is a 3-year tax
concession. As a result no tax is payable on any
income other than income from Isle of Man
employment.
The Isle of Man has concluded agreements with
more than 40 jurisdictions and is party to the OECD
Multilateral Convention. These agreements provide
for exchange of information with respect to taxes
with approximately 100 jurisdictions.
Taxation
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As a world leading finance hub the Isle of Man offers a plethora of financial support and advice. Grants to up to 40% cash backs
are available for eligible capital expenditure like studio infrastructure, sustainable film sets, training and global marketing spend.
Numerous Business Angels, Family Offices, High Net Worth Individuals can provide equity. Banks and corporates are engaged to
support entrepreneurship on the Island, and can provide growth capital for the next step. Isle of Media has signed several
cooperation agreements with private venture capital partners. And if you go big, you might consider an innovative listing at The
International Stock Exchange, TISE or an ICO.
Recently, Isle of Man and Channel Island based TISE has been chosen to issue a €1.3 billion high yield bond from Netflix .
Isle of Man has been named Best International Finance Centre
at the 18th International Investment Fund and Product Awards
Financing
Airfields
Beaches
Castles
Classic Cars
Cliffs
Dunes
Equestrian facilities
Farms
Highlands
Hill Forts
Manors
Ports
Parks
Supercars
Railways
Vikings
Woodlands
BAFTA award winning director Amma Asante:
“It shows the versatility of the Isle of Man and what you can do when you combine a great
location with a great set”
Amma Asante on set 11
Location, Location
Find your perfect filming location in the Isle of
Man; misty moors, castles and ruins. Breathtaking
valleys, deep forests and dark caves. Varied coastal
scenery and rare wildlife. You will find Victorian towns,
exquisite period Manor houses, traditional fishing
villages, and perfectly preserved steam and tram
railways. Our architecture ranges from Viking and
Medieval to modern commercial and residential
property.
The Isle of Man online library of potential film locations
provides geo-tagged access to descriptions and hundreds
of photographs. If you have specific needs for your new
media production that you can’t match with our database,
please don’t hesitate and contact us.
As a film friendly jurisdiction with more than a century
tradition in all kind of motorsports, we are bringing the two
worlds together and are able to close public roads for
exciting filming projects. In addition the Isle of Man
features a dense network of ‘Green Lanes’ for Offroaders.
Isle of Media is available to give help and guidance. We
can provide you contact details of professional location
scouts and location managers.
13
Documentaries
W. Clark Bunting, CEO Digital Circus Media and former President of Discovery Channel:
"I found this place to be remarkable - the wildlife, variety of landscape and, of course, the adrenaline thrills of the TT. It is a
secret jewel - and I'll be back for business and pleasure. I can't recall ever visiting a place with such warm and welcoming people."
Every May, over 45,000 motorcycle
racing enthusiasts from around the world
make the pilgrimage to the Isle of Man. They
line their favourite spots on the Island's hedgerows
to secure the best vantage points to watch history being
made before their eyes. There really is nothing on Earth quite
like the Isle of Man TT Races. No other motorcycle race is held on
such a challenging track as the Island’s 37.73 mile Mountain Course.
Demanding as the race is the related TV production. The length and size of
the course with numerous filming locations, the chase helicopter operation,
the bike on board camera management and the pressure of a same-day
turnaround production with a live playout – if you have mastered production
here, you can make it everywhere. The Island companies provide content
and live feeds to major international broad-casters for sporting events from
Shanghai to Miami, from Powerboat GP to Porsche Cup.
Recently Hollywood’s Pilgrim Media Group, specialized in non-scripted
television production, opened an office here for the TT.
Isle of Man TT
Since 1995, the Isle of Man has built a world-wide reputation, having co-financed and
co-produced over 100 feature films and television dramas, all filmed on the Island.
…
Where Hands Touch (2018)
3 Wheeling (2017)
Mindhorn (2016)
Spooks: The Greater Good (2015)
Honour (2014)
Dom Hemingway (2013)
Belle (2012)
TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011)
Ashes (2011)
Chico & Rita (2010)
The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)
Me and Orson Welles (2008)
Heartless (2008)
Stormbreaker (2006)
Revolver (2005)
Five Children and It (2004)
Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004)
Blackball (2003)
The hound of the Baskervilles (2002)
The Heart of Me (2001)
Bubble Boy (2001)
Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)
Tom's Midnight Garden (1999)
Waking Ned (1998)
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Feature Films
As a nation with a strong local culture the Island is ‘content rich’. Where else could one of the most successful motorbike films have
been made? “Closer to the Edge” has been recently complemented by “3 Wheeling”, a documentary about sidecar racing. Unique as
well is ‘The Watchmaker's Apprentice’ which tells the inspirational story of how Dr. George Daniels rose from Dickensian poverty to
become the finest watchmaker of the modern era and how Roger Smith embarked on an obsessive, seven-year quest to become his
apprentice and eventually, his equal. And if you spot a camera crew in the streets or hills it could be one of several independent local
filmmakers, or a team from ‘Culture Vannin’ documenting the Isle of Man – ‘Ellan Vannin’ in Gaelic – ‘Manx’ culture and heritage.
Peel Castle – Viking Capital of the ‘Kingdom of the Isles’18
W. Clark Bunting, CEO Digital Circus Media and former President of Discovery Channel:
"I found this place to be remarkable - the wildlife, variety of landscape and, of course, the adrenaline thrills of the TT. It is a
secret jewel - and I'll be back for business and pleasure. I can't recall ever visiting a place with such warm and welcoming people."Documentaries
19
W. Clark Bunting, CEO Digital Circus Media and former President of Discovery Channel:
"I found this place to be remarkable - the wildlife, variety of landscape and, of course, the adrenaline thrills of the TT. It is a
secret jewel - and I'll be back for business and pleasure. I can't recall ever visiting a place with such warm and welcoming people."
Documentaries
With a long heritage in film, the television market has naturally followed, with production companies using the Isle of Man as a filming
location or setting up head quarters. Some TV series include: Laurence of Suburbia (2017, Sky Vision), Suddenly Royal (2015, TLC
& Discovery), Top Gear (various, BBC), Countryfile (2017, BBC), The Knot (2012, CBBC), and Rocket’s Island (2012, BBC).
20
TV Series
Since 2010, the MannIN Shorts scheme has provided a platform for independent filmmakers of any age to build their skills, develop
their ideas and make films, encouraging and supporting a plethora of co-funded short films and competitions. MannIN Shorts runs a
ongoing series of industry-led workshops and training across all disciplines that include everything from scriptwriting, though
production and post production. The Isle of Man Film Festival has provided a great showcasing opportunity. Films produced through
the scheme have gone on to win international awards and many of the participants have progressed to careers within the industry.
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MannIN Shorts
Shorts
Thomas the Tank Engine was inspired by the Island's steam railways and the movie ‘Thomas and the Magic Railroad’ was produced
on the Isle of Man, along with Finley the Fire Engine, Ironman, Freefonix, Friends & Heroes and Oscar nominated Chico and Rita.
23Thomas the Tank Engine
VFX & Animation
Conceived as a vast sound stage for filming, the largest studio in the North of the Island features 1042m2 – with 14.3m clear height. It
is ideal for large scale indoor exhibitions or any large-scale event where protection from the elements is desirable – and can
accommodate over a thousand people in concert format. The sound stage has a huge roll-up door allowing drive-in vehicle access
(which would accommodate even high-level trucks and double decker buses!). The room is also fully equipped with ample power,
lighting and a fire-sprinkler system. Smaller film studios and several recording studios also operate on the Island and have catered for
everything from voice over to ADR and rock band to orchestral recordings.
Several edit suites with UK broadcast-standard facilities in HD and 4K are available along with sound recording and office services.
Thanks to the thousands of hours of international action sports content produced by Isle of Man companies, the Island is also home
to a large contingent of highly experienced camera crews including licensed drone operators.
25Duke Aerial Productions
Studios & Post Production
One of the world largest hubs in eGaming , the Isle of Man is
continuing to enjoy exceptional levels of growth in this sector.
The natural expansion into the booming eSports area is
leveraging on the Island’s strength in Creative Industries,
Digital Media and eGaming.
Streaming and Broadcasting such type of events can be
conducted from the Island’s data centres. Our supportive
ecosystem and financial aid on offer is helping new ventures
to thrive when they arrive. We can almost make a 15ms
round trip to Amsterdam (16-17ms consistently) from our
datacentres here due to our tier 1 peering.
The Island just recently introduced new regulations that allow
players to deposit, gamble and withdraw virtual items and
digital currencies in addition to cash. ESP is the first company
to take advantage of the new regulations making this licence
a world first for betting virtual items, meanwhile joined by
Rivalry, Luckbox and Unikrn.
And of course the Isle of Man is geared up for video game
developers, supporting game content creation with its Media
Fund. 2018 already saw the release of ‘TT: Ride on the Edge’
a video game for XBOX, Playstation and PC.
Scott Burton, CEO at ESP:
‘The Isle of Man is well set up for ESP to develop and grow.
We only have to look at the pedigree of other e-Gaming
companies already based here who trust the Island with
their business. The Isle of Man has many positive attributes
that align with our brand values, a progressive gambling
commission that understands our product and market and
top tier hosting and technology services “.
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eSports & Video Games
The Isle of Man is the natural home of your IPR and
content rights. Subsequently several international
distributors are located on the Island.
Motorsports specialists Duke and Greenlight International
operate from here producing and distributing the weekly
magazine shows Motorsport Mundial & Auto Mundial - with
over 30 years experience and exports to more than 150
countries.
The world largest independent motorsports media platform,
Motorsport Network with Motorsport.tv, recently invested
into Duke and the Isle of Man.
Hollywood’s Pilgrim Media Group, part of Lionsgate, have
set up a branch in the Island to produce and distribute
content around the TT motorbike race.
Indian video giant Eros International operates from its Isle
of Man holding as Ayngaran International, a Tamil video
distributor does.
Friends & Heroes is a long established Cartoon network.
Expect to meet the Isle of Man distributors at all major
trade shows including MipTV, MIPCOM, Sportel, and NAB.
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Content Distribution
The Isle of Man is incredibly
well connected with five,
and soon seven, submarine
cables to Great Britain and
Ireland. This self-healing
infrastructure gives the
island both incredible
resilience, security and a
futureproofed bandwidth to
the rest of the world.
28 Isle of Man Teleport
Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES Satellites: “The teleport is a state-of-the-art
facility providing satellite telemetry, tracking and commanding facilities and capacity
management, together with a wide range of teleport services such as uplink, downlink, and
contribution services for broadcasters and data centres.”
Connectivity
The Isle of Man is proud of its long
tradition to be at the forefront of
telecommunication. For instance the
island was the first of a European
HSDPA 3.5G network.
Now the Island targets a 100%
superfast fibre broadband coverage
for businesses and residents. Highly
resilient bandwidth connectivity is
complemented by outstanding data
centres offering industry leading
DDOS mitigation solutions.
With several telcos, ISPs and six
ISO27001 certified data centres, the
Isle of Man is prepared for your:
• Cloud content hosting
• Channel origination (playout)
• Online Video Services (OTT)
• VoD content syndication
• Delivery via Satellite, DTT & OTT
The Isle of Man is linked via fibre to SES teleports and MX1 Media Centres around the
world. Via Sohonet you can connect to more than 400 media and entertainment
companies including Warner Bros, Dreamworks, BBC and HBO. And UniqueX, a global
digital content delivery provider, has its headquarters here.
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Connectivity
The Isle of Man passionately fosters talent
development, in the Island’s schools, in the
University College, in industry and in the wider
community. The University College offers a long
standing education in Digital Media for film,
broadcasting and animation and computer science.
Into Film, a charity educating young people in film
operates in twenty schools across the Island. The
CodeClub and Barclay’s EagleLab offer students
hands-on computing and tech experience.
Under the banner of the Mannin Shorts scheme
filmmakers hone their skills, develop their ideas and
make films on the Isle of Man. The scheme was
designed to encourage talent both in front of and
behind camera and the Island has a wealth of acting
talent that stems from world class theatre groups.
Professional recruitment and casting agencies help
you to find on- and off-island talent.
The Royal Television Society is an educational
charity promoting the art and science of television. It
offers insights and opportunities into making cutting
edge contemporary TV. Isle of Media is the Patron
of the Society’s Isle of Man Centre.
ICT Campus of the University College Man
• Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology
• BA (Hons) Visual Communication through Digital Media
• BSc (Hons) and MSc in Computer Science
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Talent
The Island is the home of many talented
individuals. Barry and Robin from Bee
Gees were born here, as was Les
Miserables star Samantha Barks, Bolly-
wood star and influencer Amy Jackson.
Beckii Cruel made it even further and
became a pop phenomena in Japan.
Others came and stayed. You might
spot Gimli, alias Bafta award winning
actor John Rhys Davies in the streets or
chat with YouTube award winner Tanya
Anderson.
Hollywood A-listers who filmed here
include Daniel Craig, Alec Baldwin,
Patrick Swayze, Christian Slater, Julie
Andrews, Kathleen Turner, Johnny
Depp, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger.
Brit superstars and entertainers Colin
Firth, Stephen Fry, Kit Harrington and
Dame Maggie Smith have filmed here
as well, and, as this is an island of
petrol heads, of course the teams from
Top Gear, have enjoyed the freedom of
the open exhilarating Manx Roads.33
Actors & Influencers
John Rhys-Davies, Isle of Man resident:
“In truth the richness of this Island is considerable and
everything we can do to push it, to promote it and encouraging
others to share it with us, is really valuable.“
John Rhys-Davies in discussion with Mark Kermode at the Isle of Man Film Festival34
Mark Kermode, BBC Film Critic: “If you grow up on the Island
there, you are surrounded by the film culture, you are
surrounded by people making films.”
Islexpo
The Theatre Fest
Isle of Man Film Festival
Celtic Media Festival 2017
Big Wheel Blues Festival
Festival of Motorcylcling
Art Festival
Manx Litfest
Beer & Cider Food & Drink
Celtfest Isle of Man
Deep South Festival
Festival of Choirs
Beer & Cider
35Is
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Festivals
We are the first entire Island Nation in the world to receive the prestigious
endorsement from UNESCO as a BIOSPHERE. The stunning beauty of the
Island’s landscape and a sport and wellness embracing community spirit create a
splendid living quality you won’t find elsewhere.
Newcomers to the Island are surprised by the variety of scenery, which exists on
such a relatively small landmass. From rolling hills to picturesque farmlands,
spectacular coastal scenery to secluded glens, the Island provides a wealth of
diverse leisure activities, with an emphasis on sport and outdoor pursuits.
The choice of outdoor sports is considerable. Cycling, golf (we have 9 courses),
watersports, hiking and equestrian sports are popular.
37Castletown Golf Links ranked within Rolex’s Top Golf Courses in the World
Outdoor
Sea kayaking, Sailing, Diving, Fishing, Swimming, Jet Skiing… Explore the Isle of Man’s stunning coastline above or under water.
Several Yacht Clubs welcome traditional sailors, blue water cruisers or dinghy racers.
38 Charter Yacht
Watersports
The Isle of Man is known around the
globe as an undisputed world-class
destination for motorsport - and having
no general speed limit.
If accelerated by steam, petrol or
electricity, the Island’s challenging and
comprehensive road and green lane
network has entertained competitors on
two, three and four wheels, as well as
spectators, for over a hundred years.
Drag, drift and stock car races, rallies,
hillclimbs or motocross, the Island
caters for every type of petrolhead.
Thousands of visitors from across the
globe visit the Isle of Man each year for
the greatest road racing event in the
world – the TT Races. Described as
‘Formula 1 with Cliffs’ the daring 37 and
¾ mile Mountain Course sees racers
from around the world reach average
lap speeds of up to 135 mph, longer
and faster than any Grand Prix.
Motorsports
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Love good food? Love good drinks? Perfect, we do too!
The Isle of Man has become quite a foodie destination. From local delicacies to
global fare, the Manx food scene is sure to delight.
And some of our indigenous specialties have made to the world top resto scene
from New York to Shanghai. Queenies, Queen Scallops, our newly named
National Dish, are light, buttery, and succulent. Traditionally served in a white or
cream sauce, these little guys are sure to be your new staple. The award-winning
Isle of Man Creamery makes cheese which is so good, that it gets exported all
over the world – but in the Isle of Man, it never travels more than 15 miles from
farm to fork! Loaghtan Lamb, a thousand year old Viking sheep race, is native to
the island and no, you’re not seeing double, these sheep have 4 (or 6!) horns.
The lamb is tender with a complex flavour and is a TRUE delicacy.
Not only the Isle of Man has four breweries, we do have our distilleries as well!
Manx Queenies (Scallops)
Claire Christian Couture40
Drink
Food
Discover your own story at one of the Isle of Man’s extraordinary events. The
Island is a melting pot of character and taste. With over 100 events taking place
on our shores every year, you are never short of adventure. From fashion shows,
own theatre and musical productions, poetry slams – a rich and active cultural
scene and an embracing community spirit can create a splendid living quality you
won’t find elsewhere.
Celebrate the best of the Isle of Man’s society, from literature and writing to
dancing and tin bath racing. Taste the best of Manx produce at food and drink
festivals, wine tasting sessions and brewery tours. Get lost in your senses with
every sample/mouthful. Meet familiar strangers with every new step of every day
and event. Rejoice at new beginnings, events that give communities the power to
bring joy into a life, a town.
Experience the rarest of traditions, which celebrates the beauty of our Islanders in
song or literature. A place filled with independence; a spirit strong enough to
break the back of neighbouring kingdoms.
Get lost in history, watch it unravel.
Events that are Manx made leave behind legacies, woven into our folklore of
Vikings and Celts. Come to your senses.41
Gaiety Theatre
Claire Christian Couture
Culture
If you want to jumpstart your
business, the Island offers hot
desks, managed office space as
well as several incubators and
accelerators with access to
mentors and business angels.
From contemporary design roof
top offices with stunning views to
Victorian architecture, the
available offices cater for all
tastes and needs.
Make the Isle of Man your home!
The Nunnery 43
Offices
Isle of Man Head Office:
Mountain View Innovation Centre
Jurby Road
Ramsey, IM7 2DZ
Isle of Man
France Office:
Villa Rose Blanches
9 Rue des Vosges
06400 Cannes
France
ISLE OF MEDIA LIMITED, incorporated in the Isle of Man
Company Number 131277C, Registered Office: Greenlight House, Tromode, IM4 4QJ, Isle of Man
Design: Dr Richard K Arning. Images from: BAC Ltd., Celtic Media Festival, Claire Christian Couture, Contintent8, Duke Arial Production, Formatzone,
Greenlight International, Isle of Man Film Festival, Isle of Man Government (Isle of Man Film, Villa Gaiety, visitisleofman), MannIN Shorts, Manx Scenes
Photography, Mountain View Innovation Centre, SES S.A.
For general inquiries:
Email [email protected]
Web www.IsleofMedia.org
Twitter @IsleofMedia
Languages:
English + 44 7711 97 67 20
Deutsch + 44 7624 29 29 93
Français + 33 6 76 42 46 26