INDUSTRY PARTNERS & STAKEHOLDERS
CCEA’s Moving Image Arts qualification was conceived in parallel with the development of Northern Ireland Screen’s Wider Literacy strategy, our vision for moving image education for all our young people in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Screen has been supporting this exciting qualification since its inception through specialist teacher training in Northern Ireland’s three Creative Learning Centres (CLCs) – the Nerve Centre in Derry/Londonderry, Nerve Belfast and the Amma Centre in Armagh. Northern Ireland Screen has also been closely involved in supporting the BFI’s Film Academy scheme that focuses on identifying, training and nurturing young filmmaking talent in Northern Ireland. The programme is delivered in partnership with the three CLCs and Cinemagic.
Work experience for MIA students and BFI Academy participants Northern Ireland Screen helps source work experience opportunities for 16-18 year olds on Northern Ireland Screen funded productions. The programme provides work experience opportunities for 16-18 year olds who are either studying Moving Image Arts (MIA) at AS or A level or are already selected for the BFI Academy (BFIA) in Northern Ireland. MIA and BFIA students will gain meaningful real world industry experience guided by industry professionals. Work experience opportunities will be on live action or animated factual or fiction projects across film, television or digital content. Work experience opportunities in writing, directing, producing or acting are not offered. Work experience opportunities will be timed to suit each production’s schedule and may be offered during schools holiday periods or other busy periods during the academic year. Schools, BFIA delivery organisations, teachers and students should allow for this possibility when applying for placements.
How to apply Applications will be in the form of nominations by the school where the pupil is studying MIA or by the BFI Academy in Northern Ireland. Nominations will only be accepted by email on Northern Ireland Screen’s Work Experience Nomination Form which can be found at http://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/about/faqs/ Northern Ireland Screen will only accept up to 2 nominations per school and 2 nominations per Northern Ireland based BFI Academy delivery organisation (Cinemagic, The Nerve Centre, Nerve Belfast, The AmmA Centre) per academic year (September to August).
http://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/
The Foyle Film Festival launched CCEA’s Moving Images Arts Awards Showcase in 2003, with the support and sponsorship of Michael Bond from City of Derry Crystal. The showcase was conceived as a way of marking and celebrating the work produced by students undertaking the new Moving Image Arts subject. Since its introduction 14 years ago, this annual student showcase has gone from strength to strength, and has become one of the highlight events of the Foyle Film Festival’s Education Programme.
The festival is delighted to highlight and celebrate the talent, imagination, and creativity of the MIA students by awarding the beautiful City of Derry Crystal Awards for the best films. It is with a great deal of pride and pleasure that Foyle Film Festival provides a platform for the work of these budding young filmmakers. The festival looks forward to be accepting the work of MIA students into the Light In Motion (LIM) Competition - which are Oscar® and BAFTA affiliated - in future years.
In order to capitalise on Foyle Film Festival’s unique position as an Oscar® affiliated festival through its Light In Motion (LIM) Short Film Competition, the Festival launched its Shorts to Features Conference in 2014. Shorts To Features brings award-winning industry professional to the city in order to inspire and upskill the next generation of filmmakers.
Up and coming filmmakers have the chance to learn how they can make the transition ‘From Shorts To Features’ through an exciting programme of panels, workshops, case studies and special screenings.
Past guests have included Oscar® and BAFTA award winning director Andrea Arnold, Oscar® winning producer Mia Bays. Other conference events have included script writing and pitching sessions with Slumdog Millionaire associate producer Ivana MacKinnon and London-based producer Tristan Goligher.
Other previous conference highlights have included a case study on biopic Good Vibrations with local producer Chris Martin and director Glenn Leyburn.
Moving Image Arts students and BFI Academy students are given direct access to all conference events, and if possible special guests will also provide additional talks and support.
Foyle Film Festival’s Shorts To Features Conference provides local students with another step up in the ladder - after studying filmmaking through the Moving Image Arts qualification and BFI Academy - to gaining direct advice and tips from industry professionals. The Light In Motion Short Film Competition completes the circle by giving filmmakers a platform to showcase their work and potentially win a LIM Award - enabling the winning film to be submitted for Oscar® consideration.
This year marks the 15th Anniversary since Foyle Film Festival launched the Moving Image Arts Showcase, in association with CCEA, and sponsored by City of Derry Crystal. To celebrate this important milestone, the festival has introduced the Moving Image Arts Programme at this year's Shorts To Features Conference (Saturday 24 November). The programme aims to give a platform to successful students to screen their work and network with top film industry professionals on the day. The festival looks forward to accepting the work of MIA students into the Light In Motion (LIM) Competition - which is Oscar® and BAFTA affiliated - in future years. The introduction of MIA students' work into the annual Shorts To Features Conference goes a long way towards ensuring such a result. https://foylefilmfestival.org/
The Nerve Centre is Northern Ireland’s leading creative media arts centre. More than 120,000 people a year benefit from the Nerve Centre’s wide-ranging programme of arts events, cutting edge projects, creative learning centres, training opportunities, and state- of-the-art production facilities. A successful social economy enterprise, the Nerve Centre employs more than 40 staff at sites in Derry/Londonderry and Belfast.
The Nerve Centre Creative Learning Centre fuses the industry strengths of the Nerve Centre, as an Oscar and BAFTA nominated Film and Television production centre, with over 20 years of experience in working with teachers and schools around creative digital skills.
The Creative Learning Centres jointly work with over 5000 teachers per year in providing CPD, resources and advice around embedding digital creativity at all Key Stages and across a range of subjects within the NI Curriculum. At the Nerve Centre CLC we connect industry practitioners with education to ensure that the skills and technology used in the classroom matches that used in the workplace as far as possible.
Our work goes beyond specific skills development to look at cross-cutting themes such as Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Collaborative Working and Communication and reaches beyond film and moving image into digital fabrication, design, coding and music.
For the last 5 years we have led the delivery of the BFI Film Academy in Derry~Londonderry, working with almost 100 young filmmakers to prepare them for careers in the Film and TV Industries through a programme of accredited learning which connects them with filmmakers and industry figures from across Northern Ireland and the UK.
Through programmes such as the BFI Film Academy and our industry experience scheme we seek to provide direct pathways into creative industries careers and further study opportunity for young people across Northern Ireland.
We are very proud to have led on CPD and Resource support for teachers and students of Moving Image Arts for over a decade, and of the impact that it has already had on the film and television industry here.
For further information on support for Moving Image Arts and wider opportunities visit:
www.nervecentre.org
Nerve Belfast Creative Learning Centre is a welcoming, supportive and fun place where young people, teachers and youth/community workers can explore how new technologies can be used in creative and inspiring ways. Working with the education sector and the creative industries in Northern Ireland, we are committed to promoting and developing the effective use of ICT in teaching and learning. We provide opportunities for training, in- school and community programmes in a wide range of multi-media areas including film making, use of mobile technology, animation, web-design, games design, music technology, coding, 3D design and fabrication.
BFI Film Academy at Nerve Belfast offers a unique opportunity to young people already studying Moving Image Arts at higher level to participate in a skills-based academy of workshops and masterclasses delivered by industry professionals such as Greg Spence, post-production producer on Game of Thrones and John McClean, director of Slow West. Every September Nerve Belfast seeks talented young people aged between 16 and 19 years of age to join our acclaimed BFI Film Academy programme. As Project Coordinator Jennifer McAlorum explains: 'We are looking for enthusiastic and very committed young people to participate in this unique programme. This course brings together students and industry professionals in order to help young people interested in a career in the film industry to increase their skills, knowledge and know how.” As a BFI Film Academy participant, students get a valuable opportunity to work directly with filmmakers and take part in a series of masterclasses and workshops with a focus on a range of film disciplines including producing, directing, cinematography, sound and editing. The course is accredited, with students gaining an NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in the Film Industry upon successful completion. During the 18 weeks of training, delivered on Saturdays, young filmmakers develop their skills in all areas of filmmaking from script to screen; produce their own short film and hear industry experts top tips on how to get into and succeed in the film industry. Students get essential practice in developing and pitching ideas and producing their own work. Academy students also watch and discuss films from around the world and learn more about distribution and film-festivals. Nerve Belfast is also creating opportunities for young people seeking a career in the animation industry. Animation is a major growth area in the creative industries in Northern Ireland; in response to the high demand for skills and local talent, Northern Ireland Screen has launched a Foundation Academy for Animation.
The Northern Ireland Screen Foundation Academy for Animation is open to any young person throughout the region aged 16-19 with the talent and commitment to take up a career within the animation industry. It offers a unique programme focussing on the skills needed for 2D animation and Stop Motion animation, providing training and hands-on experience of these key roles within the industry. Participants will be introduced to the animation production process, learn about design, have the opportunity to animate characters using industry standard software and visit leading animation studios in Northern Ireland.
In this pilot year, the Foundation Academy for Animation is a partnership between the CLCs and Northern Ireland’s animation companies Sixteen South, Paper Owl, Jam Media and Dog Ears. Award-winning local animators, Joel Simon and John McCloskey, will also contribute their talent and expertise. The Animation Academy will be running from October 2018 to March 2019. Applications for next years academy will be advertised on the Nerve Belfast website. Sign up to our website to stay up to date with upcoming courses.
If you are interested in applying for our academies in film or animation or require more information, please contact Jennifer McAlorum at Nerve Belfast on [email protected] http://www.nervebelfast.org/
Creativity is at the heart of AMMA Creative Learning Centre. We provide young people with opportunities to develop their creativity through digital technologies and a range of mediums. We explore the possibilities for self expression in the areas of film making, animation, web-design, game design, music technology, graphics, art & design, use of mobile technology, coding, 3D design and fabrication. In working with young people across Northern Ireland, AMMA is dedicated to enabling the potential of future digital makers.
Since launching in 2004, AMMA has always worked closely with Moving Image Arts students and teachers. We deliver training in skills across all areas of film making; camera, lighting, editing, sound and production design. AMMA facilitates the progression of students’ skills, individually and in collaboration with others, using specialised equipment and software.
Moving Image Arts students also have the opportunity to join AMMA’s BFI Film Academy, a prestigious programme of workshops and masterclasses by industry professionals, offering an in-depth knowledge of working in the film industry. Previous masterclasses have included: Seamus McGarvey (Cinematographer) Atonement, Black Mirror, The Avengers, Enigma plus many more. Enda Kenny (Costume and Production Design) Pirates of the Caribbean, GOT, The Golden Compass, King Arthur and more. Greg Spence (Producer on Game of Thrones).
Students work collaboratively to produce an original short film, from the conception of ideas right through to editing and showcase of the final product. The Academy provides the setting for participants to make connections with like-minded peers and film makers, enhance their skills in script writing, producing, direction, camera technique, sound, editing and broaden their knowledge of film. Interested and enthusiastic Moving Image Arts students with a passion for film can apply for a place on BFI Film Academy in September. The programme lasts 18 weeks and participants can gain accreditation with an NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in the Film Industry on completion of the Academy.
“The AMMA Centre has helped me to an extraordinary level…(I) have a better idea on how to direct my own film, how to drive the narrative across, what type of audience that I wanted. Everything became just so much clearer because I was doing so much outside of the classroom.” Meghan McArdle, BFI Film Academy, 2013-14
For more information please contact: Gráinne Cullinane [email protected] http://www.ammacentre.org.
Into Film gives every child and young person aged 5 to 19 in the UK the chance to experience film creatively. Freely available to every school in the province we support teachers and educators to achieve a wide range of effective learning outcomes in their use of film. Our programme includes a network of extra-curricular film clubs, resources for use in clubs and in the classroom, training opportunities, in school industry visits, a cinema- based film festival and our annual Awards. With the additional support of Northern Ireland screen and in Partnership with Cinemagic and Nerve Centre we ensure that all young people across Northern Ireland have unique opportunities and experiences to enjoy, explore and create with film.
"Film club broadens children's horizons and encourages them to think about issues such as the environment. It encourages new friendships and fosters empathy. There are pupils in the group who have special needs and are now better understood and accepted by their peers. There is a range of abilities but in film club, no-one feels intimidated to contribute – everyone’s opinion is valued" Paul Scowcroft, Bridge Integrated Primary School, Bainbridge.
https://www.intofilm.org/
Cinemagic is a film festival for children and young people and an award-winning film charity. Established and headquartered in Belfast, and delivering programmes and activities locally, nationally and internationally, the organisation is committed to transforming the lives of young people by maximising the impact and reach of film to educate, motivate and inspire young people, particularly those from disadvantaged areas and backgrounds.
Cinemagic embraces the magic of film, television and digital technologies to educate, motivate and inspire young people. Film screenings, film education, industry workshops, masterclasses, filmmaking projects and outreach activities help children and young people to learn about the world around them, build confidence, develop new skills, and meet new people from diverse backgrounds. For some, these opportunities might be the first step in a career in the creative industries. For others it might be the empowering boost of self-belief which builds resilience and aspiration.
The BFI Film Academy delivered by Cinemagic provides opportunities for aspiring young filmmakers to take their careers a step further with intense, practical training and annually Cinemagic young people have succeeded in getting placements at advanced UK based training programmes to further develop their skills. Over 100 young filmmakers have benefited from the BFI Film Academy over the last 4 years. Just this year, two Cinemagic BFI Film Academy Alumni students were selected to participate in the prestigious Future Film Skills programme at Pinewood Studios where they secured Trainee Positions on the new Star Wars film.
Cinemagic’s annual Young Filmmaker Competition exhibits the work of young people from the UK and Ireland and celebrates young filmmaking talent. Annually Cinemagic programmes a practical weekend of activity for young filmmakers to network with peers and participate in q&as and workshops with industry professionals to nurture and encourage them.
Over the last 28 years and more specifically from 2014-2018 we have delivered highly successful Young Consultants panels and CineSeekers/CineFocus panels and the learning outcomes have been immeasurable in terms of developing literacy skills, appreciation of the world around us and creating active and memorable learning. The ethos of these panels is to promote and celebrate a diverse and varied range of international youth films. By providing the young audience with an outlet for world cinema, the aim is to develop and nurture a broader appreciation, understanding and love of film; as well as celebrating the stories, peoples and cultures from around the globe.
Two of Cinemagic’s major recent projects were the production of Cinemagic's first feature film A Christmas Star and second feature film Grace and Goliath which together gave 90 young filmmakers from Northern Ireland, Ireland and USA a chance to earn their first credit on a feature film and receive practical, hands-on training. A Christmas Star premiered in Belfast, New York and Los Angeles; it was screened in Northern Ireland/ Ireland on UTV and BBC on Christmas Day and was distributed across numerous territories including platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
www.cinemagic.org.uk
BBC Northern Ireland Learning
BBC Northern Ireland Learning can help you get the skills and experience needed for a career in journalism and media production as well as offering practical no-nonsense advice on how to prepare for employment in any industry.
Interested in journalism? Then you’ll be interested in BBC School Report - a journalism project for students aged 11 to 18 across the UK. You make the news and upload it to your website that we link to via our interactive map. This means that your news is accessible to a worldwide BBC audience. We showcase the work of School Reporters across BBC programmes in the UK on News Day which is Wednesday, 6th March 2019. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport
Still working toward a GCSE in Moving Image Arts, Media Studies and Journalism? Don’t worry. BBC Bitesize is on hand with a host of resources aimed at Northern Ireland students revising for these subjects as well offering solid, practical advice on producing your own content for course work. https://www.bbc.co.uk/education
And if you’re leaving school and about to take your first steps in the world of work, no matter what the industry, then BBC Northern Ireland’s Make it is here to help. It has everything from how to produce a CV, preparing for different types of job interview and advice from those who’ve made it on the qualities and attitude you’ll need to get on and get ahead.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/makeit
FURTHER EDUCATION NI
BTEC Higher National Certificate / Diploma in Creative Media Production (Film)
Location: Derry/Londonderry, Limavady
Duration: 2 Years
Entry Requirements: UK – 32 UCAS Points plus GCSE (Grade C or above) in English; ILC - 32 UCAS Points plus OLC (Grade 05 or above) in English Interview also required.
Course Overview: This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required for success in future employment, or for progression to an undergraduate degree. Covering many of the TV and film industry skills, your learning experience will take place in our purpose-designed media suite, Northland Building, Strand Road Campus. We use the latest technology including Virtual Reality and Drones. Modules of study will include: Individual Project, Film Studies; Film and Video Editing; Film and TV Practice; Light and Sound; Professional Practice; Principals of Photography; Creative Media Industry. We nurture the next generation of top talent that will create the broadcasts, films and other media content of the future. Students have access to industry placements, masterclasses and special events.
For more information contact:
Derry/Londonderry Patrick Mullan 028 7127 6166 Email: [email protected]
Limavady Tracy Cullen [email protected]
The Northern Ireland Film & Television School is based at SERC, Bangor. At NIFTS we offer a part- time (two full days a week from 9.15am to 5.15pm) HNC with an optional 2nd year HND in Creative Media Production. If an applicant’s highest qualification to date is an A-level or Level 3 qualification then they should be eligible for full funding which would allow students to complete the HND (the equivalent of the first two years of a degree) for free. At NIFTS we have a fully operational broadcast studio and industry standard kit used to provide units in Documentary, Drama, Music Video, Camera, Lighting, Script Writing and Editing. The course is delivered by industry professionals via workshops, lectures, industry visits, guest speakers, production residentials and work placements.
Recent graduates have gone on to work on feature films, documentaries and television series for BBCNI, Clean Slate TV, Out of Orbit, Waddell Media and CSD Productions. Others have gained places on production trainee schemes including NI Screen’s prestigious Aim High or used the HND as a spring board into the third year of a Film Production degree.
Entry requirements – GCSE English & Maths at Grade C or above, and a Grade C or above in A2 Moving Image Arts (or an alternative media related subject). If shortlisted, applicants will be asked to submit a 2-3min show reel that showcases their best production work.
For further course information contact the course coordinator, Alison Thompson, on [email protected] or visit the course Facebook page at NIFTS Bangor. Online Applications now Open for Sept 2019 intake - https://www.serc.ac.uk/course/Pearson-BTEC- HNC-in-Creative-Media-Production
HIGHER EDUCATION NI
The School of Arts, English and Languages
The School of Arts, English & Languages at Queen’s University Belfast officer a significant number of degrees that connect very well to those who have enjoyed studying Moving Image Arts at School. Here are details about just some of the degrees we offer in this school where we would be delighted to see applications from those studying an A-Level in Moving Image Arts. In fact, many of the students already on the courses outlined below have studied Moving Image Arts in school at either GCSE, A-level or both.
BA Hons in Broadcast Production https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/broadcast-production-ba-p310/
This degree is an intensely practical and industry facing pathway designed in collaboration with our industry partners such as the BBC and other local broadcasters. Making programmes for television, radio and online has never been more exciting or challenging in an industry that is currently seeing unprecedented growth. This degree will prepare students for careers in television, radio, journalism, creative media such aspects of Virtual Reality, 360 video and other new and emerging digital media platforms. It will also develop their critical understanding of the broadcasting landscape, scriptwriting, presentation and storytelling abilities, merging academic and vocational skills.
BA Hons. in Film Studies & Production http://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/film-studies-production-ba-w600/
The Film Studies and Production degree aims to introduce students to the widest possible experience of filmmaking and film culture through the integration of film production and critical thinking. Film degrees at Queen’s were ranked 1st in the 2017 in the Guardian League Tables. Our Film degrees use cutting-edge digital production facilities; we have both offline and online editing suites, with software such as Avid Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve. Practical classes are held in a dedicated Film Studio just off University Square. The course is a fusion of academic and practical skills.
BA Hons in Film & Theatre Making http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Course-Finder/UG/FilmStudies/WW65/
This is a new, practice-oriented BA programme in Film and Theatre Making, combining the strengths of the University’s highly regarded Film and Drama departments. Students can now study the intricacies of production practice in both film and theatre. Over the three years of the programme, students will learn the basics of directing and acting, along with technical and production elements (including lighting, sound, set and costume design, and stage and production management) for both stage and screen.
For further information please contact:
Dr Declan Keeney, Head of Broadcast Production, [email protected] Office: 02890975463 or
[email protected] Office: 02890975364
Ulster University’s Moving Image Arts Provision Ulster University has a long pedigree in the provision of Media courses and was, in 1978, the first university in the UK to deliver a Media course. Of course the creative industries have burgeoned since that development and Ulster University has remained central to developments and has a range of courses to indicate its expertise in the area. Ulster is proud of its many graduates who, since 1981, have progressed to now hold key positions within the creative industries. The University has established links with employers who recognise and have experienced the strengths of our graduates. We welcome applications from those taking the Moving Image Arts to a range of programmes (please visit the online prospectus for further details): BSc Hons Cinematic Arts BSc Hons Interactive Media BDes Hons Animation BDes Hons Interaction Design BSc Hons Cinematic Arts https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/201920/cinematic-arts-15578 The BSc (Hons) Cinematic Arts programme brings together filmmaking, drama, visual design, and music with the single purpose of finding new pathways for moving image, stories and user engagement. You will develop key skills in filmmaking and image production, cinematography, post-production, editing, narrative development, screenwriting, acting/directing, music/sound design, and entrepreneurship.
BSc Hons Interactive Media https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/201920/interactive-media-15328
Interactive Media is a ground-breaking course that delivers graduates who have the production, creative and intellectual skills to undertake and develop careers in the creative digital media. The course centres on creative approaches and responses to new media technologies. This course has a focus on emerging media forms and creative and artistic media practices and offers students training in the latest industry standard software. The course taught through the integration of theory and practice within the dynamic and ever changing landscape of digital and interactive media.
Interactive Media staff and students have won a range of awards including:
Interactive Media Staff won an international MEDEA award (2018) for excellence in the production and pedagogical design of media-rich learning resources
Interactive Media Staff won Best Use of Educational Technology / ICT Initiative of the Year (2018) at the Irish Education Awards
Interactive Media Staff won Excellence in Employability /Placement Support (2017) at the Ulster University Students Union Teaching Excellence Awards Interactive Media Staff won Team of the Year (2017) at the Ulster University Students Union Teaching Excellence Awards
Interactive Media Students won Voluntary Project of the Year (2017) for Generation Animation at the Ulster University Students Union Student Excellence Awards
BDes Hons Animation https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/201920/animation-15390 Animation has become an integral part of the film, television, games and design industries – from Jurassic Park to Avatar, Angry Birds to Call of Duty, Xbox to mobile. The field of animation has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. During the course you will study drawing, the principles of animation and design, storytelling and narrative, design and the history, practice and theory of screen production. You will gain an understanding of creative and technical process using industry standard software in order to create interactive designs and computer animations.
BDes Hons Interaction Design https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/201920/interaction-design-15554
Interaction design is all around us: it’s in the digital tools we use everyday; it’s on the web, it’s off the web; it’s at the tips of our fingers, it’s in our pockets; in short, it’s everywhere. Interaction design is about shaping digital things for people’s use.
This design-centred course is aimed at those who aspire for a career as an interaction designer, helping to shape the digital landscape we all, increasingly, live in. The course equips you with the skills you need to meet the challenges of an industry that’s changing rapidly and which offers exciting international career opportunities.
The emergence of devices like the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch have – in a very short space of time – revolutionised how we interact with and consume content. Tools like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are changing our behaviour. We browse web sites whilst watching television, or standing in a bus queue. Interaction designers shape these experiences.
In the last few years the need for a new kind of designer has emerged, a designer with the skills and thinking required to design for these new platforms and for platforms that have yet to be conceived.
BA Hons Photography with Video https://www.ulster.ac.uk/courses/201920/photography-with-video-15389
We are passionate about photography, encouraging and supporting our students to explore, learn, question and become experts. At Ulster we will help you develop your own creative style and individual voice. You will leave with a valuable set of skills and a fresh way of thinking that help you stand out as you embark
PROFESSIONAL PROFILES
Fionnuala Deane (Executive Producer)
Fionnuala Deane is a founding Director of Dog Ears, a children’s media company set up in 2010, based in Derry. Fionnuala was an Executive Producer on Series 1 & Series 2 of the multi-award winning animated pre-school TV series Puffin Rock (78 Episodes x 7 minutes). Fionnuala is also Executive Producer on Dog Ears' new animated pre-school show, Saturday Club, launching on Hopster in early 2019. Prior to Dog Ears, Fionnuala ran an independent publishing company for twelve years.
What was the best piece of career advice you ever received? Get up and show up - put in the hard work and try to be consistent and steady. I think those are biggest contributing factors to being successful in anything, if it’s work or school, sport or whatever it's about putting in the hard work, putting in the time, preparation and the effort. Even on the days when you really don’t feel like doing it!
What do you enjoy most about your work? I love being part of a creative team - being part of the creative process. I’m very lucky to work with such talented people. It never fails to amaze me how an idea or concept can develop from perhaps only a few scribbles into a full blown cartoon or brand. That is really exciting and can be great fun too. Being part of making something is a really rewarding experience - when a project is going well, and a team is pushing towards a shared goal, the whole process can be so joyful - that's when I feel it’s a privilege to be involved.
Please note: Fionnuala Deane’s Masterclass on the 21 November was supported by ANIM18
Adam Pescott (Storyboard Artist)
I was a film fan from a young age. In Worthing, Sussex, where I was born and lived for thirty years, there were two cinemas nearby and I was a frequent visitor. Pocket money, earnings, all spent on the latest releases. I also scoured video shops where I could rent more obscure titles. I was incredibly curious about the ‘film making’ process, however, VHS tapes did not show any of the ‘making of’ or ‘extras’ that are available today. Instead books and magazines included the storyboard process – which not only showed scenes that made the final edit, but showed extra scenes that might not have been filmed. I loved drawing and illustrating - mostly comics and images that told stories. I missed out on a place to study prosthetics so I accepted a job in a video shop while I decided what I was going to do. A job I thoroughly loved, reviewing all the latest releases! I then worked as an artist for a greeting card company and soon after went freelance, working for a variety of clients, illustrating greeting cards, character concepts, books, and anything that was put my way. On moving to Belfast with my family, I was asked to illustrate costume images for the film Your Highness. My wife, a costume maker, had the script and I storyboarded it for fun. She worked on other productions, I read the scripts and practiced boarding. I built my portfolio and was able to get actual work on actual productions. I have never looked back! I work in film and TV on all sizes of projects. I rarely refuse a job as I love the variety of scripts, directors and genres. I often work remotely, which means I can work on multiple projects which can be filming anywhere in the world.
What was the best piece of career advice you ever received?
“What do you think?"
What do you enjoy most about your work?
It’s an industry that I have always admired and been fascinated in – not only the end product, but the whole process and how it ends up on screen. I love films, I love drawing!
Laura Livingstone (Visual Effects Producer)
Ntropic produce high-end visual effects and digital content for every medium. Ntropic work with agencies as well as directly with brands and companies like Facebook, eBay, Visa, Apple and Google to name a few.
Laura’s first job in visual effects was on Iron Man 2 at Industrial, Light and Magic in San Francisco. Since then Laura has gained over a decade’s worth of experience in animation and visual effects, and more recently producing immersive and experiential projects. She has worked on projects with well-known directors like David Nutter, Jon Favreau, Michael Bay, Robert Zemeckis, Rian Johnson and JJ Abrams.
What was the best piece of career advice you ever received? Do what you love and what you're most passionate about.
What do you enjoy most about your work? I am doing what I love, I would be doing this anyway, even if it wasn't my job. I'm producing top notch work with amazingly talented people and every project is different, challenging and rewarding.
Brian J. Falconer (Producer)
Brian J. Falconer produced 15 short films before moving in feature films. A 2016 BFI Vision Award recipient, Brian produced the 2015 BAFTA award winning and Academy Award® nominated short film BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM. Through his production company Out of Orbit, one of the most exciting production companies to emerge from the booming Northern Ireland Film and Television Industry and the only Northern Irish company to receive a 2016 BFI Vision Award, Brian’s debut feature, THE DIG, directed by The Tohill Brothers has received a 2018 BIFA Nomination for The Discovery Award, has won Best Film at the 2018 Galway Film Fleadh and went on to have its North American Premier at the TIFF 2018.
From the debut screenplay by acclaimed Irish playwright Owen McCafferty, Brian’s second feature NORMAL PEOPLE, stars Academy Award® nominees Lesley Manville (PHANTOM THREAD) and Liam Neeson (SCHINDLER’S LIST). The film is currently in postproduction and is directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (co-directors GOOD VIBRATIONS). Bankside Films are handling International Sales with the BFI, Northern Ireland Screen and Headgear Films providing finance.
Brian is currently developing a diverse feature and television slate, including BREATHING, the second feature from writer Owen McCafferty, MR EUROVISION, the life story of three time Eurovision Winner Johnny Logan (writers Glenn Patterson and Colin Carberry), HARVESTING, based on the best selling novel by Lisa Harding (who will write the screenplay) with Michael Lennox (BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM) directing and THE JESUS CORRIDOR from upcoming Writer/Director Jonathan Beer (Royal Television Society Award Winning WE ARE YOU).
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Out of Orbit also has a focus on working with upcoming talent which has seen them produce debut shorts for Stacey Gregg (MERCY), Helen Warner (POLLEN), Dianne L. Campbell (EL HOR) and David Moody (Camlo).
What was the best piece of career advice you ever received? If you want to make a career of this, realise that it is going to take ten years, just to get on the ladder. This has been so true for me and I feel like I am only just starting.
What do you enjoy most about your work? I love the satisfaction of sitting in a cinema watching people watch my finished film. Every film I have made a film, whether it be 90 secs or 90 mins, there are always points where I think I cannot fix something or I cannot go on. But as a producer you always find a way, you must and when I am sitting at the premier, I think back to all those times and realise that anything is possible.
Joel Simon (Animation Director)
Joel Simon is an animation director with 20 years’ experience in the animation industry who has worked on BAFTA and IFTA winning programmes for clients such as Comic Relief, BBC ONE, CBBC, Channel 4, Children In Need, Discovery and Sesame Street.
He founded the animation studios Hola Lola and Flickerpix, directed multiple award winning TV series and short films such as MACROPOLIS, which formed part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, the film has been selected by over 200 international film festivals, and won 17 awards.
Joel regularly speaks at animation events and conducts animation workshops for organisations like the British Council and Cinemagic UK.
What was the best piece of careers advice you ever received? If you don’t know the answer to something, just ask, most people are happy to share their knowledge if you ask nicely.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Being asked to draw cartoon characters and then seeing them being brought to life… and getting paid for it in the process! It’s an incredible privilege, and I never take it for granted.