IFTN’s Guide for students and young professionals on some of the top colleges in the Ireland to help you acquire the practical skills necessary for a successful career in the film and TV business
Following another landmark year, the Irish industry can confidently stand alone as one of the strongest and most vibrant years of solid high quality production. Record revenues of €195 million reported by the Irish Film Board as well as broader and enhanced Section 481 guidelines cementing the Government’s faith in the industry point to a sector which is building a powerful resource of film and TV professionals across business, creative and craft, that continues to punch above its weight on the world stage.
The past 12 months of production reinforce this, as from low to high budget there is an abundance of quality offerings for audiences of all tastes. Films such as John Michael McDonagh’s ‘Calvary’ and Lenny Abrahamson’s ‘Frank’ have been well-received internationally both at the box office and with critics while Irish animated feature ‘Song of the Sea’ and Northern Irish short film ‘Boogaloo and Graham’ were both nominated for Oscars. Other Oscar nominated films such as ‘The Theory of Everything’, ‘Leviathan’ and the ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ contains key Irish crew members. Many other Irish features look set to make waves in 2015 including ‘Glassland’, ‘Patrick’s Day’, ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Strangerland’. Of an equally superb standard is the brilliantly entertaining television drama being produced and filmed in Ireland for global audiences such as ‘Ripper Street’, ‘The Fall’, ‘Vikings’, ‘Game of Thrones’, Love/Hate’ and ‘Moone Boy’. All have key Irish HODs across their productions, with Irish craftspeople winning recognition and awards for their work both at home and abroad.
The appetite for high quality content has never been greater and as to be expected, Irish graduates are rising to this challenge. The proliferation of talented film and TV graduates emerging from the country’s top colleges each year attest to the growth of an industry that now commands serious international attention. A myriad of courses are available in Ireland in Directing, Production Design, Editing, Animation, Model-building, Make up and Special effects – to barely scratch the surface. Prospective students have a dizzying array of options. What course to choose and where to begin?
As your guide to the Irish film and TV industry, IFTN provides a comprehensive overview to the colleges and institutions that consistently nurture untapped potential into proven talent.
As your guide to the Irish film and TV industry, IFTN provides a comprehensive overview to the colleges and institutions that
consistently nurture untapped potential into proven talent.
IADT, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin |
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IADT has an emphasis on creative
arts and media with the National Film School (NFS) located on campus. The college also offers programmes in entrepreneurship, arts
management, cyberpsychology, computing and digital media technology. IADT is the only Irish full members of CILECT, the
International Association of Film and Television Schools. |
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Largest suite of film courses
in the country and only one to offer BA in Model Making, Design and Special Effects. |
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Pulse College, Dublin |
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Established since 1990, Pulse College has an internationally renowned reputation as a leader in creative media education. Pulse offers short courses up to Masters Level. Since acquiring Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Pulse has expanded its state of the art facilities to include 5 professional Recording Studios, Post-Production Facilities, Gaming Development Labs, Film and Green Screen Studios.
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Programmes include Diploma's in Film Production and a new BA in Film and Television Production |
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UCC, Film Studies, Cork |
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University College Cork was named
Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2003, 2005, and 2011. The university has launched a new BA in Film and Screen
Media, with modules in Screenwriting and Filmmaking. UCC is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland.
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New BA in Film and Screen
Media offers three year undergraduate degree. |
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DIT, School of Media, Dublin |
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Established officially as an
Institute of Technology in 1992, DIT can trace its origins back to 1887. It continues to build on its long tradition of providing
education from certificate to doctorate level. With campus locations across Dublin city centre, media students work across many
formats such as photography, video, radio, televison and digital media.
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Post-production editing
facilities include five AVID Media Composer systems and 11 Final Cut Pro HD / DVD Studio workstations. |
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Gaiety School of Acting - The National
Theatre School of Ireland, Dublin |
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Located in Temple Bar, Dublin 8,
the school was founded in 1986 and is now regarded by some as the country's premier training facility for actors. Alumni include
IFTA winning actress Charlie Murphy, 'The Hobbit' actor Aidan Turner, Deirdre O'Kane & Clare Monnelly from 'Moone Boy', PJ
Gallagher, Colin Farrell and Olivia Wilde.
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Beginner & evening part-
time courses; and 1 Year Part-Time and 2 Year Full Time Actor Intensive Training Programmes. |
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Bray Institute of Further Education,
Wicklow |
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Bray Institute of Further
Education offers one and two year courses offered with practical hands-on experience. Students get trained in camera operation;
sound and lighting equipment; Avid and Final Cut Pro; 3D and effects software.
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Two alumni IFTA-nominated
for 'O Tholg go Tolg' for TG4. |
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Dundalk Institute of Technology,
Louth |
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Dundalk Institute of Technology
(DkIT) is situated halfway between Dublin and Belfast. It's newly renovated PJ Carroll Building offers a full HD TV studio.
Creative Media masterclasses are held up to six times each semester and the institute offers BAs in various media
disciplines.
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Students are trained on key
software packages including Pro-Tools, Avid Media Composer, After Effects, Photoshop and Final Draft, amongst many more. |
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National Digital Skills Centre (formerly FÁS) |
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The National Digital Skills Centre in
Tralee offers media skills training that is entirely practical and project-based. Many applicants come from the third level sector
and all have the same need for practical skills training. The TV & Video production course, running since 1987, is the market
leader in practical skills based training, utilising up to date, state of the art technology from Apple, Adobe, AVID, Sony,
Panasonic, JVC, RED and many other industry vendors.
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State of the art equipment
including RED cameras and full three camera studio. |
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Institute of Technology, Tralee,
Kerry |
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Established in 1977, IT Tralee
offers TV and video production, radio production, and web-based skills. The institute has external partnerships locally,
nationally and internationally. Students also have a range of course related extra curricular activities and societies at their
disposal.
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Programmes include TV/Radio
and New Media Broadcasting, Interactive Multimedia, and Music Technology. |
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Applied Art of Acting, Dublin |
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Established by professional actor
David Scott, the Applied Art of Acting offers a three month, highly intensive full time training facility. Professional actors
looking to train effectively over a shorter and more cost-effective course are the most suited to this program. The course also
suits passionate amateurs whose work is of a very high standard. Small groups consist of 16 students maximum, with their work
filmed for show-reel purposes.
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Covers both theatrical and
screen actor training with physical, vocal and spatial awareness training also important elements. |
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The Lir, National Academy of Dramatic
Art |
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The Lir Academy was established
due to a recognised need within the industry to provide skills based courses tailored to the ever-changing needs and directions of
the theatre industry. The Academy offers training in acting, stage management, technical theatre, playwriting, stage design and
theatre directing, and will have their first graduates in 2014.
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The Lir is associated with
the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and with Trinity College Dublin. |
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CIT, Media Courses |
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Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
opened in 1973. The institute offers full-time, part-time, and specialist Media Courses. CIT also offers a certificate in media
production (Hetac Level 6) and BA in Multimedia. The college has 42 societies between its four campuses in Bishopstown, Crawford
College of Art and Design, CIT Cork School of Music and NMCI. |
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Offers Certificate in Media
Production (Hetac Level 6) and BA in Multimedia. |
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LA College of Creative Arts, Dublin |
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The leading college for courses
and programs in makeup, fashion and beauty in Ireland, LA Creative Agency is a division of the LA Group and places highly-skilled
creative artists with a variety of leading companies and on specific event projects. Training is in the areas of Make Up Artists,
Beauty Therapists, Nail Technicians, Hair and Fashion Stylists. The college has strong business relationships with industry
contacts including the LA Creative Academy, the Irish Federation of Make Up Artists and the Irish Hair Federation. |
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Courses include Performing
Arts - Speech & Drama; Higher National Diploma in Fashion Design with Production & Retail; and FETAC Level 5 in Fashion
& Media Make-Up. |
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