The newly launched Screen Academies website highlights industry-led courses to train young people for jobs in areas such as film-making, animation, games development, and set design.
Applications are currently open for 16-19 year olds not attending or enrolled at university for the BFI Film Academy, Games Development Academy and the second phase of the Foundation Academy for Animation.
Jennifer McAlorum, Screen Academies Manager at Nerve Belfast Creative Learning Centre, said:
'These are exciting opportunities for young people to get hands-on training in the creative industries, to meet like-minded people, network, and learn from industry professionals. Our ultimate goal for the Academies is to introduce new local talent to the sector.'
The Screen Academies are delivered by Northern Ireland’s three Creative Learning Centres: Nerve Belfast, Nerve Centre and AmmA Centre.
The Screen Academies are supported by the Department of Communities through Northern Ireland Screen, and part funded by the BFI and Belfast Harbour. The Screen Academies based in Belfast are further supported by Flax Arts Studio management of Havelock House.
BFI Film Academy
Now in its eighth year, the BFI Film Academy has successfully trained over 100 young people in film production. Participants have the opportunity to work as a crew to produce a short film as well as complete a Level 2 NCFE Award in Preparing to Work in the Film Industry.
As a BFI Film Academy participant you will work with filmmakers and take part in a series of master classes and workshops with industry professionals, hear their top tips on how to get into and succeed in the film industry, get practice in developing your ideas and producing your own work.
Northern Ireland Screen Foundation Academy for Animation
Working in partnership with some of the leading animation companies in Northern Ireland, the Foundation Academy is a unique training programme focussing on 2D animation skills. Participants will gain hands-on experience of the animation production process, have the opportunity to animate characters using industry standard software and be taught by industry professionals from several of the leading animation studios in Northern Ireland.
Production Design Academy
New Screen Academies in Production Design and Film Construction provide essential skills training and ‘real world’ production experience of these expanding sectors of our local screen industries. Offered in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, they draw upon the skills and expertise of industry professionals making their living in the local production sector.
Games Development
The Northern Ireland Screen Gaming Development Skills Academy is a unique training and experience programme, which focuses on core skills around computer game development and production at both technical and narrative levels. The Academy is managed by the Nerve Centre and delivered in partnership with The Pixel Mill and industry professionals working in games development in Northern Ireland.
Participants will be introduced to the core facets of the games development process, from idea generation and refinement through to technical skills, before having the opportunity to create their own pieces of work under the guidance of industry professionals.
For the latest information, opportunities and news on the Screen Academies, visit the Screen Academies website.