SCREEN TRAINING IRELAND A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 SCREEN TRAINING IRELAND A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016
Welcome to Screen Training Ireland’s Review of 2016 which details key initiatives and training delivered in 2016 and outlines plans for 2017 and beyond. Training and development is of the highest quality, closely aligned to industry needs and clearly targeted to individuals and companies. CONTENTS
About Screen Training Ireland...... 4
What We Do...... 6
New Initiatives 2016...... 8
Training Highlights 2016...... 17
Bursary Review 2016...... 35
Local Partnerships...... 38
International Training Partnerships. . . . . 44
PANEL SESSION ON DESIGN AND CRAFT DEPARTMENTS AT TROY STUDIOS OPEN DAY Looking Ahead 2017...... 46 SCREEN LEADERS
ABOUT SCREEN TRAINING IRELAND
Screen Training Ireland (STI) is the national training and STI offers training for the changing needs of the Irish screen development resource, specifically tailored for Ireland’s film and industry. STI developed and delivered over 52 courses in 2016 and television industry. It was established in 1995 to provide ongoing allocated 1462 places to participants. We also supported workshops training and career development opportunities for professionals and masterclasses at leading Irish Film festivals. Of these training working in the screen industry. places 47% were allocated to female participants and 55% allocated to male participants. STI works with recognised industry professionals, both locally and internationally, to identify, design and deliver training for Irish STI categorises skills needs in three core areas – Creativity and professionals. Training programmes are offered to practitioners and Creative Collaboration (CCC), Production and Technical Skills (P&T) companies to enhance their expertise in film, television, animation and Business and Enterprise (B&E). In addition, STI supports high- and interactive screen content. level international training opportunities through the Bursary Award Scheme and through its support of programmes such as Guiding STI comes under the auspices of the Irish Film Board (IFB) since Lights, Inside Pictures, EAVE and ACE. 2013. It is principally funded by the IFB, third-party training partnerships and fee income. Through the Bursary Award Scheme, 20 Irish industry professionals availed of funding to attend high-level training programmes and workshops with international companies and organisations.
4 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 5 COLM McCARTHY DIRECTING RIPPER STREET WHAT WE DO
STI offers training opportunities in the following areas: • Pathways to progression for technical professionals through traineeships and bridging programmes • Business and enterprise training to enhance expertise in management and strategy development • International training and the Bursary Award scheme which enables experienced professionals to participate in training • Masterclasses and specialised programmes to help experienced opportunities internationally and where necessary, design a professionals avail of advanced development opportunities development opportunity customised to meet their needs.
• Programmes to meet long-term development needs in the STI works closely with industry professionals and tutors so that the creative areas of script, directing and producing training it delivers is industry relevant.
• Short focused courses to meet updating, upgrading and transfer skills needs
6 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 7 NEW INITIATIVES Irish speakers included Patrick O’Neill, Managing Director, Wildcard Distribution and Audrey Sheils, Head of Distribution, 2016 Element Pictures.
Participating companies included SP Films, Underground STI delivered an exciting range of new initiatives in 2016 aimed at Films, Fantastic Films, Blue Ink Productions, Dot Television retraining existing professionals in new technologies, developing and Venom. new entrants, trainees and apprentices, nurturing individual talents through mentorships and enhancing business skills. “Fantastic Films were delighted to participate in ‘Finding Your Audience’ and along with meeting terrific mentors, Adaptation was devised to explore successfully adapting pre- we found the approach to be practical, well presented existing material to the big screen. The course examined where with very up-to-the-minute information.” stories come from, conceptualisation, comparative adaptation, John McDonnell, Head of Production Fantastic Films adaptations from novels, plays, history/articles, short stories and comics/graphic novels.
A case study on multi Oscar-nominated Room with director Lenny Abrahamson was a highlight of the course.
Find Your Audience – a Marketing and Distribution Mentorship Programme in association with We Are the Tonic – was launched in April. It provided a practical environment for participants in the key principles and processes of film distribution and how to apply them directly to their projects.
International speakers included Academy-Award winning producer, Gareth Ellis-Unwin (The King’s Speech, Kajaki); Andy Mayson, Co-CEO Altitude Film Entertainment; Chris Bird,
Director of Content Strategy, Amazon Prime; Pete Buckingham, MAZ KANATA FROM STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS Co-founder of SampoMedia; Dave Shear, CEO of Shear Scott Pritchard, Compositing Supervisor at Industrial Light Entertainment; Simon Osborn, Head of Legal and Business and Magic delivered a VFX Masterclass on Star Wars: The Affairs at Protagonist Pictures; Lucy Savage, Content Distribution Force Awakens. Scott discussed ILM London’s work on Star and Digital Consultant; Adam Rubins, CEO of Way To Blue; Wars, focusing on a character created exclusively at the studio Jonathan Rutter, Director of Film at Premier PR; Oli Harbottle, – Maz Kanata. He detailed the challenges in taking her from Head of Distribution at Dogwoof Pictures; Jon Rushton, Head of concept art through to her performance on the big screen. Theatrical Distribution, Curzon Artificial Eye.
8 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 9 Big Stories on the Small Screen funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, The Irish Film Board and Screen Training Ireland was launched in late 2015 and continued in 2016. It focused on developing Irish skills in quality long-form screen drama. Big Stories supports Irish-resident screenwriters, producers and directors develop the skills necessary to craft a successful drama series for the international market.
Participants completed a five-day project-based workshop and pitching session to local and international broadcasters. Ten projects were selected in a writers’ room led by David Isaacs (Mad Men, Frasier, The Simpsons) and Oscar nominee Tom Abrams, Professor of Screenwriting at USC.
Participants and projects included:
Laura Canavan-Hayes – The Female Banker Eoin Cleland and PJ Hart – The Watchlist Tom Collins – Pirate Queen Peter Delaney – Blood Harrow Gemma Doorly – Madam Devin John Doyle – Devoted Wife and Mother Niamh Gleeson – Hannah Golden Tara Jane Hegarty – Normal For North Lauren Mackenzie – Never Again, Again
Nick Wilkinson & Senta Rich – Devils DEVIN JOHN DOYLE AND LAURA CANAVAN HAYES PARTICIATING IN BIG STORIES ON THE SMALL SCRREEN
“A huge thank you to Big Stories for creating and facilitating an incredible week of creative learning and development. To “Wow – what a week! Thank you so much for all the all the hugely talented fellow writers, it is an honour to be in the energy and ideas. I feel like I’m part of the start of process with you and thanks for your generosity, energy and something big – the X movement!” ideas this week.” Senta Rich Laura Canavan-Hayes
10 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 11 Animation Base Camp an initiative of Once Were Farmers and “Working as a story artist at Basecamp in Glasgow was an The Animation Centrifuge, in partnership with Sony Pictures amazing learning experience. Together with a brilliantly Animation, Creative Scotland, and Midtnorsk Filmsenter and talented group of artists from Norway, Scotland and Ireland supported by Screen Training Ireland and Animation Skillsnet, we worked on the project alongside Director David Feiss was launched in 2016. and a team from Sony Pictures Animation in LA. Through regular google chats and constant feedback we were given This unique eight-week programme for animation graduates and an insight on the working process of a feature film animation emerging talent focused on developing the skills of animators, production.” enabling the transition from study to employment. Participants experienced a real production environment in feature animation, John O’Connell, Animation Base Camp participant pre-production with a strong focus on teamwork and problem solving. Relationships with industry professionals from Sony Pictures Animations and international studios and organisations were developed.
Irish participants supported on Animation Basecamp 2016 included Katie Lyons, 2D Character Designer; John O’Connell, Story Artist and Dermot Lynskey, Editor.
BASE CAMP PARTICIPANTS
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS
12 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 13 The second VFX and Animation Graduate Traineeship programme was launched in October with a day-long symposium in Dublin. It featured a range of exciting talks and sessions with top international speakers on the latest creative and technological advances in these areas.
The Irish animation and VFX sectors are increasingly central to Ireland’s digital and creative economy, with animation alone employing more than 1,000 full-time staff. The programme is targeted at developing industry-focused skills in a workplace setting, and is supported by award-winning studios such as PANEL SESSION ON PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS AT Brown Bag Films, Cartoon Saloon, Boulder Media, Jam Media TROY STUDIOS OPEN DAY and Screen Scene VFX. It includes on-the-job training and A major highlight of 2016 was the Troy Studios Film Industry Open mentoring as well as specialist training. Day in Limerick which was a huge success, with over 800 people attending the event in October. Aimed at school leavers, job seekers, “The traineeship programme is a fantastic opportunity to new entrants to the labour market, graduates and those seeking experience working professionally in a studio with added information on the industry, it served as an opportunity to hear from support and training from Animation Skillnet and Screen some of the industry’s most experienced professionals and heads of Training Ireland.” departments providing a 360-degree view of a production. Grainne Hegarty, Trainee, Jam Media The Young Offenders director Peter Foott delivered a keynote address which was followed by sessions from heads of departments Highlights included a in production, accounts, camera and lighting, sound, art department, special Dublin screening costume, make-up and hair, set craft/construction, props and of 20th Century Fox’s continuity. The day wrapped with an inspirational talk from Limerick Miss Peregrine’s Home natives The Rubberbandits. For Peculiar Children, followed by a Q&A with A fascinating masterclass with games writer Christian Divine for VFX Supervisor Frazer writers and storytellers working in film, TV, animation and games was Churchill (The World’s End, held in partnership with The Irish Game Makers Association, IMIRT. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Children of Men), supported Divine is a scion of games from Donkey Kong to Dungeons & Dragons by Eurotek Ireland and to Ultima and beyond and has written for John Romero’s Daikatana Chaos Group. and Warren Spector’s award-winning Deus Ex. He discussed his work on Life Is Strange, highlighting how storytelling skills can translate MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN across film and games.
14 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 15 TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS 2016
Creativity and Creative Collaboration It was a productive and exciting year in the Creativity and Creative Collaboration (CCC) training area. 2016 focused on development opportunities for screenwriters, script editors/ development executives, programme makers and visual creatives. Mentoring and training supports for female talent were put in place and included shadow directing on Red Rock and Can’t Cope Won’t Cope.
CCC kicked off with The First Draft and Beyond, a programme delivered over a three-month period by script consultants Mary Kate and Rachel O’Flanagan. It worked with writers from treatment stage to delivery of a polished first draft. Feedback found group work and one-on-one script mentoring to be very effective.
The Development Toolkit – an advanced programme for development executives, producers and script editors – launched in July and will wrap in January 2017. Developed in association with The Irish Film Board, it assists and upskills participants in all aspects of development for film and TV. Topics covered included script and story analysis, good development practices, creative collaboration, unconscious gender bias training, pitching, film financing, entertainment law, sales and marketing and distribution.
SHADOW DIRECTING ON RED ROCK
16 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 17 ROOM
Internationally renowned tutors included Surian Fletcher-Jones, In October we held another highly successful Red Rock Writers TV Head of Development, Working Title; Steve Matthews, Academy, which took eight writers through the process of writing Executive Producer, Drama Development, HBO Europe; Emma for returning drama series. Norton, Head Of Development, Element Pictures; Chris Bird, Director Content Strategy at Amazon Instant Video EU; script STI and Filmbase collaborated on a television series development consultants Rachel O’Flanagan and Mary Kate O’Flanagan; John programme with House Of Lies Showrunner Matthew Carnahan. Yorke, Exec Producer Red Rock; Madeline Di Nonno, CEO of the Geena Davis Institute; and script consultant Emmanuel Oberg. “The American idea of the writers’ room has always seemed to me like an impossible ideal - something very far from Beth Serlin returned early in the year to deliver a week-long my own work in practice as well as geographically. But this programme on adaptation for the big screen, which ended with course made it feel real and like a viable prospect. Des Doyle’s a case-study of Room. overview of the US industry and Matthew Carnahan’s deft leading of the workshop were instructive and inspiring. The Renowned film Script Editor Kate Leys delivered a two-day experience was invaluable.” advanced workshop specifically aimed at script editors and Colin Murphy, participant development executives/creative producers, while Eimear Markey and Dearbhla Regan presented a course on the craft of writing reader reports.
18 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 19 STI piloted a Directors Shadowing Scheme which was aimed at female directing talent. Participating productions included Vikings, Red Rock, Can’t Cope Won’t Cope and Redwater. The evaluations were incredibly positive and we intend to run this again in 2017.
STI’s collaboration with course director Neasa Hardiman and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on ‘Big Stories on the Small Screen’ wrapped with a pitching day where writers pitched their pilots to key Irish Producers, and an in-depth masterclass with True Detectives’ very insightful producer, GAMES DESIGNER BRENDA ROMERO Richard Brown.
In association with Galway Film Centre, a Role Play Games Design “I just got signed by Independent Talent two weeks workshop took place with prolific games designer Brenda Romero. ago. Thank you again for what was a life-changing This was part of a series of programmes in the Galway area which development programme for me.” also included Creative Thinking Techniques and Core Research Skills with Pam Relton. Laura Canavan-Hayes
Screenwriter and Script Consultant Emmanuel Oberg shared his insights at the Screenplay Unlimited: Advanced Development Workshop.
Film in Cork and STI collaborated to deliver the well-received screenwriting workshop, Not Just Plot! with David Keating, as part of a series of collaborations with Film in Cork.
“The greatest thing I took away from the workshop was the importance of emotional connection to one’s work. I appreciated David’s mindful approach to filmmaking and the industry – which has the potential to drive one spare with the precariousness of it all. I came away understanding that in an industry where results are absolutely not guaranteed, the emotional connection has to be what motivates you to keep plugging away.” RICHARD BROWNE MASTERCLASS: DEVELOPING SCREEN STORIES IN ASSOCIATION WITH Damhnait Hickey, participant, Not Just Plot! BIG STORIES ON THE SMALL SCREEN.
20 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 21 Creativity and Creative Collaboration Training Courses 2016
• Directing Animation Features, Shorts & TV in association with • Talking Documentary in association with Galway Film Centre the AI, BAI, SDGI
• Words and Pictures: A commentary Writing Workshop in • RED Rock Writers II association with Galway Film Centre • Matthew Carnahan In Conversation with Stefanie Preissner in • The First Draft and Beyond association with Filmbase
• The Practical Side of Factual Writing • In the Writer’s Room with Matthew Carnahan in association with Filmbase • The Craft of the Reader Report • The Business of Documentary: An Irish and Nordic Perspective • Adaptation • Big Stories on the Small Screen: Richard Browne Masterclass • Script for Script Editors and Development Executives • Not Just Plot! in association with Film In Cork • Creative Thinking Techniques in association with Galway Film Centre • Advanced Development Workshop Emmanuel Oberg
• Core Research Skills in association with Galway Film Centre • Role Play Game Design in association with Galway Film Centre
• Developing IP for Animation and TV Series Big Stories on the Small Screen with Tom Abrams and David Isaacs
• Frank Spotnitz Masterclass in association with Galway Film Centre
• The Development Toolkit
22 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 23 Production and Technical Training With the development of Troy Studios in Limerick, live action production training in 2016 also focused on addressing skills needs in the regions, and Screen Training Ireland, Troy Studios, and Innovate Limerick hosted an Open Day in the studios, offering Training in production and technical skills (P&T) provides potential new production talent an insight into the world of film upskilling, reskilling and cross skilling across technical production. Speakers included heads of departments discussing disciplines in physical and digital production, and includes the their roles and offering advice on getting into the film industry. development of technical and artistic skills in animation, VFX, STI also focused on work-based learning in the digital production and production and crew skills. area with the first edition of its VFX and Animation Graduate Traineeship. A collaboration with Animation Skillnet, it has already In live action/physical production, STI focused on work-based entered its second edition, with companies such as Brown Bag learning, and programmes such as the Broadcasting Authority Films, Cartoon Saloon, Boulder, and Screen Scene VFX all involved. of Ireland and STI-funded Red Rock Production Training Scheme offered unique on-the-job training opportunities for It was launched with a one-day symposium offering creative new entrants to the industry. There was a heavy emphasis insights from an array of international talent from studios such as on design departments in production, and courses included Pixar, Double Negative and Sony Pictures Imageworks. tailoring for those working in costume, the art department including drafting, Rhino and ZBrush, and a collaboration with The Creative Europe/Irish Film Board-supported VFX: Script to Wicklow Local Enterprise Office on a hair for film course. STI Screen programme marked another successful edition for directing renewed focus on set craft and construction skills by holding and producing talent from across Europe. a design and construction information session, as well as an ‘Advanced Scaffolding/Rigging for Film’ programme. Design skills in VFX and Animation were addressed via the ASSET training fund, and a Train the Trainer initiative was launched, targeted at enhancing the skills of educators and trainers for VFX and animation.
ANIMATION MASTERCLASS STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS VFX AND ANIMATION SYMPOSIUM IN VFX AND ANIMATION GRADUATE TRAINEESHIP WITH JASON RYAN VFX MASTERCLASS ASSOCIATION WITH ANIMATION SKILLNET IN ASSOCIATION WITH ANIMATION SKILLNET AND SUPPORTED BY IDA IRELAND, EUROTEK AND CHAOS GROUP 24 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 25 Production & Technical Training Courses 2016
• Red Rock Production Training Scheme in association • VFX: Script to Screen 2016 – supported by Creative Europe/ with BAI The Irish Film Board
• ASSET – Specialist Skills Enhancement Fund • Traditional Tailoring for Costume
• Production Club: Design and Construction for Film • Animation Basecamp - an initiative of Once Were Farmers and The Animation Centrifuge, in partnership with Sony Pictures • Advanced Scaffolding and Rigging for Film Animation, Creative Scotland, Midtnorsk Filmsenter and supported by Screen Training Ireland and Animation Skillnet • ZBrush for VFX and Animation • Animation Masterclass with Jason Ryan • ZBrush for Modelmakers and Art Department • Storytelling for Games in association with IMIRT • Inside Cartoon Saloon in association with Film In Cork • Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens VFX Masterclass • Dingle Animation Festival and Sketch Day Trial • VFX and Animation Graduate Traineeship in association • Intermediate Drafting in association with Galway Film Centre with Animation Skillnet
• The Bridge – an initiative of Animation Skillnet supported • Troy Studios Open Day in association with Troy Studios and by Screen Training Ireland Innovate Limerick
• Introduction to Hairdressing on a Film and TV Set – an • VFX and Animation Symposium in association with Animation initiative of Wicklow LEO supported by Screen Training Ireland Skillnet and supported by IDA Ireland, Eurotek and Chaos Group Introduction to Rhino for Art Department • Visual Structure for VFX, Animation and Games • Introduction to Drafting in association with Limerick and Clare • Sound Editing in Association with the Galway Film Centre ETB and supported by Limerick School of Art and Design (LIT) and Egg Post Production
26 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 27 Business and Enterprise Training
Training in the Business and Enterprise area focused on leadership development, innovation and entrepreneurial skills, strategic development, talent management, audience development, and updating business skills. The aim was to tie these areas into the development of producers, key creatives, and production companies.
Key partners in 2016 included We Are the Tonic, Screen Producers Ireland, Galway Film Centre, Galway Film Fleadh, Animation Skillnet, Creative Europe Desk Ireland, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. International partners SCREEN LEADERS 2016 ALUMNI included Creative Europe, The Geena Davis Institute, Inside Pictures, EAVE and ACE.
STI worked with company leaders through its Creative Europe “Screen Leaders is a challenging yet hugely rewarding course. programme Screen Leaders, and delivered training in Berlin, It provided the business guidance we needed to expand our Lisbon, Dublin and Limerick. company and move it in the right direction. Crucially, we were supported by a team and mentors who wanted us to succeed.” Screen Leaders, the Strategic Company Development Lindsay Campbell, Underground Films Programme for the Screen Industries, is STI’s key business and enterprise programme, supported by Creative Europe. It’s STI ran a distribution programme, Find Your Audience, in aimed at principals in film, TV, animation, post-production, VFX, association with UK-based We Are The Tonic. This cutting edge sales, marketing, and distribution. Companies who participated programme was aimed at building audiences for Irish Films. The in the 2016 programme included Subotica Entertainment programme provided participants with knowledge of the distribution (Ireland), Kavaleer (Ireland), Moetion Films (Ireland), options available to them, the latest developments in the landscape, Underground Films (Ireland), Bees Nees (United Kingdom), and industry contacts. Participants were provided with a bespoke Playdead (United Kingdom), Human Ark (Poland), Alphapanda mentorship process. (Germany/Poland) and Inscript (Lithuania). During the Screen Leaders module in Lisbon we ran an event for participants and local industry, How to Find An International Audience for Your Film. A focus on Unconscious Bias was also introduced to the Screen Leaders programme in 2016.
28 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 29 BUSINESS MATTERS: THE YOUNG OFFENDERS SCRIPT TO SCREEN MASTERCLASS
Talent Management for Animation, aimed at companies that are As part of the Business Matters series a range of programmes scaling and dealing with a variety of departmental structures, addressing skill gaps in the industry included Chain of Title in the organizational change, attracting staff, retaining staff, creating Development Process, Company Law, and a Masterclass of The career pathways, and developing a culture of training and Young Offenders. mentorship, launched in 2016. It aims to prepare companies for change and set the groundwork to develop internal training A Screen Leaders and EAVE panel session was delivered as part of academies. It also aims to inform and empower the senior The Fleadh Forum in Galway. The focus was a finance case study management team to implement an effective talent management of Love & Friendship, with Katie Holly, Blinder Films; Lauranne system. On completion, companies may have the opportunity Bourrachot, Chic Films and Vanessa Saal, Protagonist Pictures. to implement workplace learning initiatives with the support It was chaired by Keith Potter of the Irish Film Board. of STI and Animation Skillnet. There are 26 participants on the programme drawn from senior management teams – Boulder Media, Jam Media, Brown Bag/9 Story, Kavaleer Productions, Cartoon Saloon, Giant Animation, and Treehouse Republic.
30 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 31 Business and Enterprise Training Courses 2016
• Screen Leaders Strategic Company Development Programme 2016 – supported by Creative Europe/The Irish Film Board
• Screen Leaders Lisbon Industry Seminar – How To Find an International Audience for Your Film
• Business Matters: A Practical Guide to the New Companies Act in association with Screen Producers Ireland
• Find Your Audience: A Marketing and Distribution Programme in association with We Are The Tonic
• Production Management for TV in association with Sideline Productions
• Business Matters: The Young Offenders – Script to Screen Masterclass
• The Fleadh Forum – Love & Friendship A Film Finance Case Study - Screen Leaders & EAVE session
• Business Matters: Chain of Title Legal Seminar in association with the Galway Film Centre
• Talent Management for VFX and Animation Companies LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP FINANCE CASE STUDY IN ASSOCIATION WITH SCREEN LEADERS AND EAVE AT THE FLEADH FORUM • Building Your Brand in association with Creative Europe Desk Ireland & the BAI
32 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 33 BURSARY REVIEW 2016
In 2016 bursaries were awarded to 20 applicants across the fields of creativity and creative collaboration, production and technical and business and enterprise. Over €35,000 was allocated to Irish industry practitioners to participate in a range of international training programmes enhancing their career prospects.
The trends in 2016 for bursary recipients were in the area of production and technical where 10 of the 20 applicants secured funding for training.
Bursary Recipients 2016
Rossa Mullin TALENT X, Creative England, Amsterdam Olyaya Chesneau RESOLVE 101, UK John Wallace EURODOC 2016, France Brendan Condren STUNT RIGGING, AP8 Actionpact and Haeger Stunt & Wirework Ltd, Germany
BRENDAN CONDREN, STUNT DRIVE IRELAND RECEIVED A BURSARY TO ATTEND A COSMIC LEGACY STUNT RIGGING AP8 COURSE AT STUNT AND WIREWORKS HAEGER LIMITED, BERLIN
34 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 35 Eimear O’Grady STUNT RIGGING, AP8 Actionpact and Haeger Stunt & Wirework Ltd, Germany Norman Kelly STUNT RIGGING, AP8 Actionpact and Haeger Stunt & Wirework Ltd, Germany Sorcha Heron DOCUMENTARY COURSE, New York Film Academy Rua Meegan FEATURE FILM LIGHTING, Rockport, Maine Cathal Watters TIFFEN STEADICAM GOLD WORKSHOP, UK Lauren McKenzie EUROPEAN TV DRAMA SERIES LAB, Erich Pommer Institut, Berlin Alan Gillespie EUROPEAN TV DRAMA SERIES LAB, Erich Pommer Institut, Berlin Olga Cernovaite IDF ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL, Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam SOUND POST SUPERVISOR STEVE FANAGAN RECEIVED A BURSARY TO ATTEND A Adam Cullen THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SCORING FOR FILM MENTORSHIP IN INTENSIVE FEATURE FILM SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR SOUND DESIGNER AND VISUAL MEDIA, the Summer Scoring WITH DOUGLAS MURRAY AT 20TH CENTURY FOX IN LOS ANGELES Programme with Pulse College, Bulgaria “I had an incredible time during my mentorship in Intensive Clare Martin THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SCORING FOR FILM Feature Film Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer AND VISUAL MEDIA, the Summer Scoring Training with Douglas Murray at 20th Century Fox, Los Programme with Pulse College, Bulgaria Angeles. I had the unique experience of training alongside Cathal O’Cuaig IDF ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL, Doug and his sound crew as they worked on a film of Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam substantial scale. It allowed me to gain insight, training and Adam Rynn EAVE MARKETING WORKSHOP, EAVE, experience from professionals working at the highest level of Luxemburg Conor Dowling VIRTUAL REALITY FILMMAKING WORKSHOP, my craft in a practical setting and an opportunity to better my Euphoria Borealis day-to-day working practices here in Ireland. It also offered Michael Ryan ART CINEMA ACTION MANAGEMENT UK me invaluable insight into, and helped me affirm, some of Teresa O’Brien NORDISK PANAROMA DOCUMENTARY the best practices we are currently employing in our day-to- PROGRAMME, Nordisk, Sweden day sound post work here. I cannot thank Screen Training Steve Fanagan FEATURE FILM SOUND SUPERVISING Ireland enough for supporting me to access this training. It TRAINING, Douglas Murray, was a real privilege to be given the support to travel and train 20th Century Fox Studios, LA with professionals of this level of skill and experience. For anyone considering a Screen Training Bursary application to train, improve existing skills, and develop their craft, I can’t recommend it enough!” Steve Fanagan, Sound Designer/Sound Re-recording Mixer
36 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 37 LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
In 2016 STI collaborated with numerous local industry partners on a range of exciting We continued our collaboration with Young initiatives. It partnered with festivals on Irish Filmmakers (YIFM) through the National workshops and masterclasses throughout Youth Film School (NYFS) to provide the country. support and advice on training for young and emerging filmmakers. Through STI’s local STI and the Galway Film Centre collaborated and international industry contacts, YIFM can on a slate of programmes for the creative tap into a wealth of training expertise.
industries in the Western and Eastern regions. Training was delivered to writers, Screen Training Ireland continued its directors, editors, art department personnel partnership with Animation Skillnet on the and producers. VFX and Animation Graduate Traineeship and Symposium and on Animation Base STI continued its partnership with the VFX Camp 2016. Association of Ireland (VFXAI) in 2016 on its European training programme, VFX: Script to We partnered with Dublin Editors in 2016 on Screen. VFXAI – comprising Windmill Lane, a series of in-depth masterclasses aimed at Screen Scene, Egg Post Production and professional editors focusing on the creative Piranha Bar – lends its talent, support and side of editing. Highlights for 2016 included expertise to the programme. masterclasses with Mick Audsley, Nathan Nugent and John Wilson ACE. STI partnered with Film In Cork on Inside Cartoon Saloon, a one-day animation STI and the Kerry ETB Training Centre/ training event, and Not Just Plot! a two- National Digital Skills Centre collaborated day screenwriting workshop aimed at closely on the Troy Studios Open Day. empowering writers to create ambitious and The academy providing all the AV engaging short and long form projects with requirements on the day and the students David Keating. recording/interviewed many of the HOD’S. The recordings will be available to view on the website in 2017.
38 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 39 Festivals
Screen Training Ireland partners with festivals by providing support in the form of funding and training advice as well as sharing resources to ensure workshops, masterclasses and events at festivals are industry focused. Festival events also provide valuable networking opportunities for emerging talent.
Festival partnerships in 2016 included Audi Dublin International Film Festival, Dingle Animation Festival, Silk Road Film Festival, Sky Road Festival, Kerry Film Festival, Fastnet Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Guth Gafa Documentary Festival, Indiecork and Cork Film Festival.
ACTOR MASTERCLASS WITH RUTH NEGGA AT GALWAY FILM FLEADH
40 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 41 Workshops and Masterclasses at Festivals 2016
Cinematography Masterclass with Chris Menges – Audi Dublin International Film Festival
Screenwriting Masterclass with David Hare – Audi Dublin International Film Festival
In Conversation with Mick Audsley, ACE, in association with Dublin Editors
Documentary Panel Event – Silk Road Film Festival DIRECTORS MASTERCLASS WITH NAJWA NAJJAR AT GALWAY FILM FLEADH Workshops at Fastnet Film Festival
Michael Moore Masterclass in association with the Irish Film and Television Academy
Directors Masterclass with Najwa Najjar at Galway Film Fleadh
Actors Masterclass with Ruth Negga at Galway Film Fleadh
Turning News Stories into Documentary Film at Guth Gafa
In Conversation with John Wilson, ACE, in association with Dublin Editors
George Carey Documentary Masterclass in association with Cleraun Media
Cork Film Festival Alt Fund
Cork Film Festival Documentary Day
42 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 43 INTERNATIONAL TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS
STI has formed a number of partnerships with leading international training programmes. These benefit Irish industry professionals and build on our international network. One of our key relationships is with the Creative Europe Programme which funds Screen Leaders and VFX Script to Screen.
In 2016 STI continued its partnerships with top international training organisations such as ACE, EAVE, Inside Pictures and Guiding Lights.
We also partnered with the American Embassy and the Geena Davis Institute to deliver a session on Unconscious Bias.
Scholarships were allocated to Rory Dungan, Tilted Pictures and Claire McCaughley, Treasure Films for EAVE; Ailbhe Keogan, GUIDING LIGHT 2016 MENTEES Writer and Kate Dolan, Director for Guiding Lights and Martina Niland for Inside Pictures.
“The exceptional Guiding Lights team secured Alex Garland as my mentor. He, in turn, picked one of my projects and turned his critical eye on it. His honest feedback, coupled with scheme supports like the pitching workshop, has seen it develop into something real and exciting. I know this simply wouldn’t have happened without Guiding Lights.” Ailbhe Keogan, Writer
44 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 45 LOOKING AHEAD: 2017 AND BEYOND The development of female and minority talent is essential to address current imbalances which stifle creativity and diversity. In creative areas it is particularly important that different points of view and approaches be allowed flourish to enrich the quality and In 2017 Screen Training Ireland will continue to develop skills in range of Irish film, television, animation and digital media. three core training areas: Creativity and Creative Collaboration, Production and Technical and Business and Enterprise Training. In the Business and Enterprise area, there will be an ongoing focus on leadership development, innovation and entrepreneurial skills, In the creative area training will focus on story and script up-to-date business skills, strategic development, branding & development at intermediary and advanced levels. There will positioning and talent management. The ultimate aim is to tie these be a focus on building a pool of freelance script editors and into the development of producers, key creatives and production development executives. Female talent-driven initiatives will companies. continue into 2017 with support for female writers, directors and producers.The development of screenplay development The key areas of focus in 2017 and into 2018 are: programmes will give participants an intensive “real world” experience in a supported environment and enable them to • Building Capacity in the Industry – supporting the scaling, hone their skills in a highly practical and applicable way. growth and development of companies. Helping leaders and companies to realise their goals and assisting them in STI will expand its expert tutor pool and use this talent to deliver achieving measurable and sustainable results. cutting-edge training, exposing industry practitioners to more varied approaches, the latest international trends and fresh • Branding and Positioning – helping professionals in the thinking and inspiration. industry to position their brand effectively in the marketplace, maximise the potential of their IP, and grow their personal, It will establish international mentorship opportunities to enable project and company brands. standout talent to hone their craft and to internationalise their skills base and network. Those working in areas such as TV • Developing Career Pathways – assisting professionals to focus drama directing, script editing and showrunning will benefit on their career development, helping companies create clear from work-based training and mentorship opportunities with progression routes, identifying and addressing skill gaps, gifted creatives. attracting and retaining staff and developing industry.
Linking training closely to production is a cost-effective way • Leadership and Strategic Development – to support the to ensure relevant, practical and constructive opportunities. The strategic development of companies across the value hands-on experience will also help participants build networks, chain and develop the skills of company leaders. To build self-confidence and other skills which ensure long term the strategic development and leadership skills of senior employability. management teams and HODs, both in company and on-set.
46 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 | 47 • People Management/Talent Management – this is a key focus particularly for the animation and VFX companies but also for managers across industry areas. There is a need to formalise the HR practice in the industry and develop skills in managing people.
The key areas of focus in the Production and Technical training area in 2017 are:
• The continuation of industry traineeships and work-based learning models, utilising a range of learning tools to deliver training in the most effective ways possible.
• Development of HOD talent and support crew talent who are at the point of upgrading.
• Continued emphasis on the convergence of digital and physical production, exploring the digitisation of production, and new skills and workflows for key departments.
• Addressing regional skills development through training partnerships with key national industry centres and creative hubs.
• Enhancing the skills of educators, particularly in digital production disciplines.
48 | A YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 2ND FLOOR CALLAGHAN HOUSE 13-16 DAME STREET, DUBLIN 2 TEL +353 1 679 8040 Email [email protected]