Closing the 1st February, CAO deadlines are just around the corner.
While one can always look up what courses a university has to offer online and attend open days to find out more information and options, we at the IFTN have decided to dedicate a piece on Education and Training from an alternative angle.
This article aims to reassure the students that have this important decision to make, to inspire them with options, as well as to give them hope as they embark on the journey from university to the workforce.
Students and industry hopefuls alike are often told that the only way to get into television and film is through contacts and luck. While these factor somewhat into one’s career path, every career begins with an education and training.
John Mc Donnell, director/producer at Fantastic Films, advises people to always keep training and networking: “The industry is constantly changing at such a fast pace so in order to keep up with it you need to be refreshing your knowledge with courses and through education. You will never know everything; there will always be a gap in knowledge.”
Below are interviews with key members of the industry – be they a director, animator, sound recordist, costume designer, etc. – in which they talk about how their education in Ireland benefited them and how they made the transition from education to employment.
More often than not, you will see that these workers went out of their comfort zone in the pursuit of their career and had to work very hard to get to where they are now. Across the board, ambition and love for what they do continues to drive them all.
See here for some key training facilities and colleges in Ireland.
Garret Farrell - Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Garret Farrell spent seven years mixing sound in Galway before joining Screen Scene, one of Ireland’s major post production and visual effects facilities. Since then, Garrett has been working in the post-production sound department for many national and international feature films and television series…
read more here
Charlene Lydon – Programmer
Charlene Lydon works as a programmer for both Volta and the Light House Cinema. After completing the Film Production course in Colaiste Dhulaigh she went on to make her way in the film industry by freelancing and interning with various publications and companies. As a passionate and knowledgeable film buff, Charlene enjoys creating a world through a camera lens whether she is behind the camera or part of the audience…
read more here
Tomm Moore - Co-Founder and Creative Director of Animation Studio Cartoon Saloon
As co-founder and creative director of animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Tomm Moore has worked as a director, art director, storyboarder, animator and illustrator on a range of projects spanning from commercials and short films to feature films and TV series…
read more here
Eamonn Ó Cualáin - Filmmaker and Owner of Sónta Films
Eamonn Ó Cualáin, filmmaker and co-owner of Sónta Films, won an IFTA in 2013 for his work on 'Lón sa Spéir'. Sónta Films is an award winning television and film company based in Galway which produces a wide range of media including sports, lifestyle, animation, documentary and factual programmes…
read more here
For a more comprehensive list on all Irish courses in TV and Film production, see below: