Eamonn Ó Cualáin, filmmaker and co-owner of Sónta Films, won an IFTA in 2013 for his work on ‘Lón sa Spéir’. ‘Lón sa Spéir’ was produced for TG4 with support from the BAI and Bord Scannán na hÉireann which has been sold into twenty countries and released theatrically in Ireland, Canada and the US. Sónta 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.
Eamonn studied at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and has since paved a highly successful career together with his brother Seán. To Eamonn’s delight the course he completed in ‘Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge’, Gaoth Dobhair, Dioplóma sna Dána, was very practical and taught him the essentials to working in a professional environment. The course was done through the Irish language and was a scheme set up between Údarás na Gaeltacht and the university.
How did NUIG prepare you for the career you are in now?
“The course I did was more of a technical course. We learned the basics in editing, camerawork, sound and lighting. Each of our modules was related to making documentaries or TV content, for example working with Avid & Pro-tools etc., so it was really practical based. All of the content we learned was based around being placed in a working environment. Each month we would have different modules to do with different aspects of the industry. The course ran from September to May and was all done through the Irish language.”
The Galway man had no difficulties when it came to learning through Irish and jumped at the chance to work with TG4 when the opportunity arose.
Were you offered practical experience/work placement as part of your course? If so, how did it benefit you?
“Yes, three of us from the course got the opportunity to do work experience with TG4 for a month. Other students in the class went to Windmill lane, Telegael, Abú Media and Raidio na Gaeltacht. Everyone was placed in a production company or TV station and the college done its best to cater for everyone’s interests and what would benefit them the most.
“One of the modules we did in college challenged us to come up with a concept for a series with TG4. It was a news package to imitate what actually goes out on air. So when I got into TG4 I was doing almost the same thing; putting together VTs and sorting the news packages.
“I really enjoyed my time in TG4. I did a lot of practical work like VTs and on air graphics. Working with like-minded people in TG4 built my confidence and knowing that you’re working in a live studio environment gave me a sense of excitement and thrill. The experience definitely helped me make a more smooth transition from education into the professional sector when I finished the course.”
How did you make the transition from education to paid employment?
“I graduated in 2003 and at that time I think 80-90% of us got jobs. They may not have been the best paid jobs, maybe 100-200 euros a week, but it gave us the opportunity we needed to establish a base and network after college.
“It’s not unusual that graduates would receive low income in the first year of employment, and that’s exactly what it was like for me. It was always going to be tough for the first year or so, but if you were really interested in the industry you persisted, in turn it made you want it more.”
What areas in training for film/TV production do you feel are lacking in Irish education? What improvements could be made?
“Most of the CV’s I get into the office are from general media graduates. This isn’t a bad thing but I often find people who do these courses don’t know what interests them. They don’t really have the practical knowledge and tools you need in a working environment, which you could get from a more specialized course.
“I think for college courses, the more practical ones are best and benefit you once it comes to working in this industry. There aren’t too many directors out there that can’t use a camera and conduct their own shoots, editing etc. Because budgets are so varied and sometimes quite low, it does call you to use a lot of those skills you learn in college.
“No-one is going to come out of college knowing everything but if they even came out with a general grasp of the basics that would be very beneficial.”
What are you currently working on or what plans do you have for the future professionally?
“I am currently starting the 8th season of ‘Seó Spóirt’ with TG4 on the 31st of Jan. ‘Seó Spóirt’ is a sports talk-show that is broadcast weekly on Friday evenings om TG4. Focusing on GAA and Rugby, the show runs each year from spring to autumn, covering the main competitions in both codes.
“We are currently halfway through filming another documentary called ‘The History of the GAA in America’. We were over in America filming last July and are planning to go back at the end of May because New York GAA is celebrating 100 years. We can then start editing and hopefully have it ready for transmission in September.”
Have you any further advice for people looking to get into TV and film production?
“The last piece of advice I would give everyone is to try and surround yourself with enthusiastic like-minded people and if you’re lucky enough, things will take off. I was very lucky as I had my brother and also other people around me. You are going to learn so much from them.”
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