An exciting animation course with immediate employment potential Climate Change

A brand-new course, with immediate employment potential in the animation sector, is commencing at South East Technological University (SETU) this September.

Aimed at those interested in or working in the exciting eld of animation and media, the HDip Production Management in Digital Animation is a oneyear full-time post graduate course.

Applications are welcome to come from diverse quali cation backgrounds including business, media, computing or the arts. However, animation or media experience is not necessary. Candidates just need enthusiasm to learn and motivation to upskill.

Over the past 10 years, the animation sector in Ireland has grown exponentially. is course aims to address the demand in this area, and is creating immediate employment opportunities for graduates in south east, Ireland and abroad.

According to Michael McMahon, Course Leader HDip Production Management Digital Animation, “We work closely with many of Ireland most high-pro le animation studios Including Cartoon Saloon and Lighthouse Studios based in Kilkenny. Modules are informed by industry and delivered in collaboration with Industry practitioners to ensure graduates are industry ready on completion.”

Lighthouse Studios, along with its sister company Cartoon Saloon, have been very helpful in the development of the course, Michael said. is year a successful lecture series entitled ‘Animation Tech Talks’ saw industry experts deliver relevant talks. Lighthouse Studios and Cartoon Saloon presented guest lectures in January and February, and they also hosted SETU sta at their state-of-the-art studios in St Kieran’s College in College in March. Lighthouse Studios are particularly interested in graduates of this course as it closely resembles their production pipeline. Mercury Filmworks in Ottawa, Canada, who are content creators for Disney Television projects, is a partner company of Lighthouse Studios. Michael visited the studio in April to promote and discuss the course with Weldon Poapst, head of studio recruitment. e course was immediately recognised as an attractive option to support Mercury’s sta upskilling and training programme. As a result, the part-time online option will be o ered to this international cohort, and eventually to other animation/ media studios abroad.

Signi cantly, the company has also expressed interest in o ering employment opportunities to graduates of the full-time course and workplacement positions to fulltime students in their studios in Ottawa. is was re ected in discussions as the course addresses skill shortages in key areas such as ShotGrid and Pipeline Management.

It is SETU’s intention to deliver the course in a unique hybrid classroom mode. is means that both face to face and online delivery will take place simultaneously. Fulltime students will be o ered in person teaching, while the part-time online option is available to international applicants.

A series of promotion/information sessions were held in May to promote the course and answer any queries. is series will continue every ursday throughout the month of June via remote Zoom link. Mr McMahon, lecturers on the course and Industry partners will be present to answer any queries.

A Zoom information event takes place every ursday in June from 7-8pm. Join at www.wit-ie.zoom.us/ j/91976960288?from=addon. e meeting ID is: 919 7696 0288.