Pre-production on new Irish reality show ‘Dublin Ink’ has begun, with principal photography scheduled for March 2013.
TV3 has commissioned a 12-part series of the tattoo-shop set show, which is based around the shop, called ‘Dublin Ink’, in Cow’s Lane in the city centre.
Instead of being based on the Discovery Channel’s ‘Ink’ formats, which saw ‘Miami Ink’, London Ink’ and ‘LA Ink’ make stars out of tattoo artists Ami James, Louis Molloy and Kat Von D, ‘Dublin Ink’ will instead focus on the management of one of Ireland’s most successful tattoo shops.
Brothers John and Rob Connolly run the shop, while tattoo artist Leigh Guerrine has a permanent base and his brother Shane Guerrine looks after marketing.
Although the show will focus on some members of the public getting tattoos, the main premise of the show will hone in on the working and personal relationships of all four brothers, as well as the “customer service that ‘Dublin Ink’ is known for”, according to producer Tony Callaly of Cashmere Media.
Callaly added: “The show won’t be like the ‘Ink’ shows, it’s much more visceral, much more real. It won’t be scripted”. The Cashmere Media production crew already shot a sizzle reel, which Callaly says “tests the audience”, and “shows what works on camera on what doesn’t work”.
The production team has managed to get Bulmers on board as a sponsor, and are still in the process of seeking another three dual sponsors.
It is expected a number of directors will shoot footage over the March/April period, with Michelle Carty the executive producer.
Fintan Maguire, the man behind reality series ‘Tallafornia’ and format shows ‘Celebrity Salon’ and ‘Come Dine With Me Ireland’, commissioned ‘Dublin Ink ‘for TV3.
Laurence Fee at Yard Creative Post Production will edit the series, with 12 half-hour episodes expected to air on TV3 and 3e in the summer of 2013.
DRG is handling international sales.
