DkIT Film & Television students visit RTE studios

17 November 2018

At DkIT it is as important for our students to experience the real-life, practical side of their course disciplines, as it is for them to learn the theory behind them. Only through this unique combination can our students be fully equipped to progress towards their future careers and life after DkIT.

And for students completing the BA (Hons) in Film & Television Production the theory came to life during two recent trips to the RTE Studios, Donnybrook, Dublin.

The first trip, to join the live studio audience for Claire Byrne Live, took place on October 22nd, with 40 students travelling to the studio, joined by DkIT lecturers Lorcan Dunne and Kenneth Sloane. The students benefited immensely from seeing how this live TV studio show is put together, with the episode covering such diverse topics as deportation, the Dublin city marathon and Kleenex man size tissues!

At DkIT, the students completing the BA (Hons) in Film & Television Production programme have a number of TV Studio modules, were they make a variety of live shows and learn industry standard TV studio formats, procedures and protocols. So the opportunity to view a live show in production was an invaluable industry experience for them.

The second trip to RTE took place on 6th November, with 3rd year Film & Television students visiting the RTE News and Current Affairs studio.

Students got the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of a typical day at RTE as well as take part in an informative tour of the studio, gallery and newsroom. The in-depth tour included informative talks from Broadcast Control Officer (BCO) Brian Murphy on the role and relationship with directors in the gallery on a typical day; Philip Bromwell, News Video & Mobile Journalist on reporting using new technologies and the changes to how we need to shoot & produce content; and finally, Sinead Crowley, Arts and Media Correspondent on an insight into Arts reporting and getting the right video and visual content. The day concluded with a live viewing of the 1 o’clock news from the control gallery.

Film & TV Production Lecturer, Lorcan Dunne commented that:

This type of tour is very beneficial for students that want to pursue a career in TV Studio Production and Outside Broadcasting. They encounter people doing various tasks and might be introduced to a job they didn't know existed. It makes them more aware of the various roles involved in making live TV. Students also get the chance to network with skilled practitioners, develop contacts and observe industry standard protocols and procedures.”

Visits like this help strengthen the partnership between DkIT and RTE, as well as our links with industry. At DkIT we pride ourselves on providing our students with real world training and these were just two of the many chances for DkIT students to take part in interactive learning sessions where they can liaise with industry and see exactly what they learn in the classroom put into action.

Adding to his comments, Lorcan emphasised this real world training received by students at DkIT:

Students on our programme have a number of masterclasses and industry workshops delivered by expert practitioners. Directing is delivered by Screen Ireland Board Member, Marian Quinn; Production Design is delivered by Fiona Daly who has worked on films directed by Jim Sheridan; and the Cinematography component is delivered by Jass Foley who shoots features, advertisements and online content. All of the full time lecturers have extensive industry experience which definitely adds to the quality of teaching that our students receive.”

To find more about the BA (Hons) in Film & TV Production click here.