Filmmakers share wealth of international experience with Dundalk IT students

As Dundalk IT fourth-year students prepare to enter industry, this semester they were treated to masterclasses from filmmakers on their 'The Contemporary Irish Screen Landscape' module, co-ordinated by lecturer Sarah McCann.  This year’s esteemed guests were Writer/Director Darren Thornton, Cinematographer Jaro Waldeck and Director Diarmuid Goggins.

Speaking about the classes, Lecturer Sarah McCann stated: “Access to industry professionals has always been a core feature of the BA (Hons) in Film & Television Production since its inception and is of the utmost importance to our students as they prepare to enter the industry.  We are already looking forward to welcoming more industry experts in the next academic year!”

The guest speakers brought a wealth of international experience across film and television. Jaro Waldeck is an award-winning cinematographer with a background in photography and a masters from renowned film school Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), whose work spans the U.S., Czech Republic, and Ireland. Diarmuid is an Irish IFTA-nominated director known for high-profile TV dramas including KIN, Bulletproof, Silent Witness, and Red Rock. Darren is an acclaimed director and writer whose latest feature Four Mothers won the Audience Award at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival, with previous accolades for his work on A Date for Mad Mary, Love is the Drug, and award-winning short films Frankie and Two Hearts.

Speaking about the masterclasses, student Sarah Grey, who wrote and directed a short folk horror drama this year stated: “The masterclasses organised by Sarah McCann as part of her Contemporary Irish Film landscape module have been some of the highlights of our course for me. Getting to speak with established directors, hearing their stories and getting their feedback from them on our films has been invaluable. The whole experience has boosted my confidence and has left me eager to get started in the industry.”

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Adam Hoey, who had the role of Director of Photography on this short folk horror drama this year was specifically interested in the session delivered by Jaro Waldeck:

“The masterclasses were incredibly insightful, honest and thorough when discussing the Film and TV industry. I have many new skills that I can take away after these sessions.  Speaking to and listening to Jaro was very insightful and interesting. As a someone interested in being a Director of Photography myself, Jaro had a lot to say and her feedback on my work was kind and constructive.”

While John Brady, who directed a short black comedy this year also found the masterclasses of great interest: “Gaining industry insight from accomplished filmmakers was invaluable. Their notes on the major projects increased my confidence as a director.”