Ireland has a rich artistic heritage that has translated into a thriving contemporary art scene.
Tax incentives and initiatives from the Irish Film Board lure large international productions to Ireland, as well as supporting indigenous work. You’ll recognise some of the locations in Game of Thrones as ours, and you can thank us for hit movies Brooklyn and Frank.
If you’re a film or animation major, this is the island to get real production experience and an international dimension to your portfolio. You’ll be placed with talented, highly-motivated media professionals working across features, live action, commercials and documentary.
You could be researching concepts, location scouting, script editing, assisting on camera work, or making post-production edits.
Even if you haven’t heard of Ireland’s animation industry, you’ll have seen it. Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and CBBC all show Irish animation, while Oscars, Emmys, and BAFTAs have recognised it. Ireland’s 2D and 3D studios are industry-leading, producing content for TV, film, apps and games, while supporting 1,500 jobs.
Your placement will help you gain real-world experience in animation, stretch your talents and work with the best.
However, by taking the leap that I did applying to Learn International’s internship program, you will learn that you are not alone – that you will be embraced into a support network more than adequately prepared to meet the challenges faced by an ever-changing world. I can say this because I applied at the beginning of the pandemic. While the world came to a grinding halt, Michelle at Learn International soldiered on – maintaining the company’s initial promise to deliver a quality, in-person internship as a pathway into the job market. I am happy to say they have delivered, as I write 2 years after the fact.
To observe their tenacity when the chips were down should be as good an indicator as any that you will be in capable hands. If they did not give up helping me achieve my ambitions, they will surely not give up on yours."
Speaking of food, Ireland wasn’t short of amazing places to eat and enjoy night life. I’ll never forget the evenings I spent watching performers dancing in pubs, streets and restaurants just to entertain us! The way the performers interacted with one another and the crowd really made for a genuine and friendly vibe in Ireland. I think about the six weeks I spent in Ireland almost everyday.
It has changed the aspirations I have in life and made my desires more meaningful. It is remarkable how big of an impact this country and program has had on me. I would not change it for a thing.
