The Strand Film Maker’s Club, sponsored by Hughes Insurance, is seeking budding young film makers, editors and cinematographers to take part in an innovative media project. Ireland’s oldest picture house, The Strand, has teamed up with creative media experts, Giga Training, to offer 24 young people in East Belfast the opportunity to get a taste of what it’s like to work in the film industry – completely free of charge.
Recently Northern Ireland has been a popular choice for filming major TV and film dramas such as Game of Thrones, Killing Bono and The Fall. Collectively these productions have injected £329m into the local economy and created an estimated 21,000 jobs – The Strand Film Maker’s Club has been set up to provide local people with vital experience in this exciting industry.
Managing Director of the Strand Arts Centre Mimi Turtle comments: “Film-making has never been more accessible to our students, the industry has boomed in the last few years and there are lots of opportunities to work and gain experience here in Northern Ireland for the first time. We are offering local students a taste of the industry with two one-week courses in June where they will research, direct, star, shoot, produce and edit their own short film and attend the star studded premier in July. I would have loved this opportunity when I was 16, it is priceless experience in what is now a viable career option in this country, I would encourage those interested to call us as soon as possible to secure their place.”
Giga Training has been at the forefront of film education for ten years, the young Film Makers will get to work side by side with Giga’s team of industry professional trainers – planning, scripting, shooting and editing their own original film pieces which will be screened as part of a showcase event in July in the iconic 1935 art deco picture house, The Strand.
The course is part of an investment from Arts and Business in partnership with the Strand Arts Centre, Giga Training and with sponsorship from Hughes Insurance – Northern Ireland’s largest independent insurance broker.
Leslie Hughes Chairman of Hughes Insurance comments: “This is the first time we have partnered an Arts initiative in East Belfast and we are very proud to do so as this opportunity gives young people tangible life skills that will help them secure full time employment whilst promoting the importance of Arts in our community. I’m looking forward to the screenings at the premier in July, who knows we may uncover the next Scorsese.”
If you’re 14-16 years old, passionate / interested in film and live in the Greater/East Belfast area apply online at www.StrandArtsCentre.com or call Giga Training on 028 9581 1202.
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