Award-winning visual-effects practitioners in Dublin for BSÉ/IFB-supported training programme, ‘VFX: Script to Screen’
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board-hosted seminars — featuring tutors who have worked on international blockbusters like Twilight, District 9 and Elysium — are designed to grow and develop the burgeoning visual-effects industry in Ireland
A host of multi-award-winning international visual-effects practitioners flew into Dublin this week to participate in a ground-breaking visual-effects training programme organised by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board through its training arm, Screen Training Ireland. The programme will involve a number of training modules over the next five months and will see attendees receive world-class tuition in the area of visual effects.
Designed in collaboration with award-winning digital-effects companies Windmill Lane VFX and Screen Scene VFX, this innovative programme, entitled ‘VFX: Script to Screen', is targeted at developing new skills and talent in the Irish VFX sector. By introducing people in the industry to global leaders in the field, the aim is to inspire the creative film community to push the boundaries of VFX and develop new and innovative stories for global audiences. This will help those working in the sector in Ireland to secure more opportunities within this increasingly important part of the film and television industry.
Commenting on the new programme, Teresa McGrane, Deputy Chief Executive of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board, said, "We're delighted to have attracted some of the leading figures in the industry to Ireland for this important training programme. The use of technology and the introduction of visual effects in film has led to huge changes in film in the last decade. Films such as Elysium have really given people an opportunity to push the boundaries in the industry. It is important that, in this sector, like most others across the economy, people continue to up-skill and acquire new skills so that they can compete and lead on a global stage.
"Irish talent competes very well in the visual-effects sector and have been involved in the production of major international titles including Game of Thrones, The Last Days on Mars and Lockout, among other titles. The investment in this programme is our way of supporting the further development of interest in a sector, which is growing constantly, while also ensuring that Ireland remains strategically placed to grow and benefit from the significant opportunities available globally."
The training programme will provide producers, directors and key creative from Europe and Ireland with an overview of visual effects from development to post-production over three intensive, practical modules, and will give them access to the highest level of local and international visual-effects talent.
As part of the first module of the programme, Screen Training Ireland will deliver two key masterclasses to the wider screen sectors.
In the first masterclass, Frazer Churchill, VFX supervisor on The World's End, Children of Men and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, will discuss the key creative relationships between the VFX supervisor, director, cinematographer and production designer.
In the second masterclass, Oscar-nominated VFX supervisor Peter Muyzers will discuss the current VFX industry and how real collaboration between VFX and filmmaking professionals can bring about progress. Peter was nominated for an Academy Award® for best achievement in Visual Effects for District 9; he was also honoured with nominations from BAFTA and the Visual Effects Society for his work on the film. Most recently, he teamed up with director Neill Blomkamp again for the film Elysium as overall VFX supervisor. His other credits include The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, where he also played a key role as digital production supervisor.
Other tutors who will be in Dublin for Screen Training Ireland's ‘VFX: Script to Screen' programme include Florian Gellinger (VFX Supervisor, Cloud Atlas, X-Men: First Class); Claes Dietmann (VFX Producer, Let the Right One In); Øystein Larsen (VFX Supervisor, Trollhunter); Stefan Lange (VFX Cameraman, Alexander and Die Another Day); and Paddy Eason (VFX Supervisor, Grabbers, The Borgias, I Give it A Year and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time).
For further information please contact Louise Ryan, Marketing and Communications Executive, Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board) +353 86-329-7819, louise.ryan@irishfilmboard.ie
‘VFX: Script to Screen' is funded by the MEDIA Programme of the EU and Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board.