St Johns Central College in Cork is a vocational college offering both Level 5 and Level 6 training courses in film, television and digital video.
Students who complete the latter may progress to a do a final year degree in Sunderland University in Britain.
A selection of film and television oriented courses are provided below, with additional details on evening courses and other subjects available on the St. John's Central College website.
Film, TV & Video Production Level 5
This course is both theoretical and practical. Candidates for the Film, TV and Video Production Award learn and explore production techniques and work practices inherent in the Film and Television industries with an emphasis being placed on ‘a hands on’ approach.
Advanced Film, TV & Video Production Level 6
This curriculum builds on the competencies acquired on the first year of the Film, TV and Video course. It allows the candidate to develop and capitalise on their professional technical training enabling them to realise their creative potential. Subsequently, candidates identify, develop and learn how to market themselves and their skills within the industry and to communicate effectively with industry professionals.
Multimedia Level 5
The range of skills students gain includes Digital Video Production, Web Authoring, Image Processing, Interactive Media Development and 3D. The course enables students to take a concept and develop it into a fully-fledged digital multimedia product.
Multimedia Level 6
Over the course of the year, students develop interactive web sites that integrate sound, video, animation, graphics, 3D and scripting. Students write, shoot and produce a short film. Students create a soundscape and podcast. Students are also given the opportunity to collaborate on a group project that involves liaising with industry.
How do you prepare students for working in the industry?
The college is located in close proximity to RTE Cork with whom they have a close working relationship. RTE often provides visiting lecturers, work experience/mentoring, studio visits etc.
There is an emphasis on learning through practical 'hands on' experience and it has a progressive work experience program. Many students have completed international work placements. The work experience is often real live projects where students get to be the creative and technical leads.
Notable St. John’s College Cork Alumni
Kevin Lehane who wrote the feature film Grabbers, Sara Taddei who was the production designer for the NFS animation film production MANoMAN that has been nominated for a Bafta, Brian O Glanby and Petr Stach who went onto Sunderland University and whose film Gently down the stream was nominated for an RTS award. Ed Godsel (The Road to Moneygall), Chris Cullen( Epic Productions, Dr Liz Greene) to name but a few.
