In a second-level environment otherwise punctuated with exams and study, Transition Year allows students to explore areas of interest not otherwise found on the curriculum. Part of the programme entails a work experience placement, where students have the chance to secure work within their chosen industry. As we all know, early access to opportunity is vital for nurturing talent. This year the team at Lighthouse Studios have been working behind the scenes to develop a sustainable programme for Kilkenny based students who wish to pursue their placement within the studio.
“What happened was that my daughter was looking for a work placement, and I just thought ‘why not try it out,’” said Emilie Walmsley, Executive Producer at the studio. “The thing is that we have had Transition Year students in the past, but never worked out a formula where it didn’t have an impact on crew, so we stopped doing it.” After approaching Kevin Quigley, the studio’s skills and development coordinator, the pair devised an online format which they then ran past the guidance counsellor at Loreto Secondary School, who suggested two other students to take part. The group was later joined by another two students from Kilkenny College, bringing the total number of participants up to five.
The result was a pilot programme which incorporated lectures from key crew members, Q&A sessions, character design work, storyboarding, script-reading and talks from guest speakers. “We’re learning little things as we go,” says Emilie.
By the time the second round of work experience placements open in spring, the studio hopes to welcome even more students from within the county of Kilkenny. Enquiries can be sent to kevin.quigley@lighthousestudios.ie
Lighthouse celebrates its fourth birthday!
It was Lighthouse Studios’ fourth birthday in February, an event which unfortunately couldn’t be celebrated in person. However, in true Lighthouse fashion, crew were still fed with delicious cake – most of which was scoffed down by the time the online event kicked off!
For its fifth birthday next year, the studio has promised to be able to publicly shout about some of the incredible projects they’ve been working on. Watch this space!