Media Arts Student off to the BBC thanks to success at Animation Dingle

25 May 2017

Kevin McElroy, a final year student on the BA in Media Arts and Technology, was recently announced as a finalist in the “Big Pitcher” event at Animation Dingle which is part of the Dingle International Film Festival. Kevin was selected as one of the six finalists from higher level institutes across Ireland to pitch his animation idea to a panel of leading industry professionals and broadcasters, including representatives from Jam Media and the BBC.

Kevin presented his highly original concept “Samurai vs. Cowboys - Shoot Up or be Sliced Down” to a packed public audience on the Friday afternoon of the Festival. Although he did not win the first prize of a six-month placement with Jam Media, the judges were so impressed with his concept that they offered him an opportunity of experience days with the BBC in Manchester, which he will take up over the summer, before he returns to DkIT to complete his honours degree in September. Chris Dicker, Head of Development, JAM Media speaking after the pitch said

“I had the pleasure of mentoring Kevin in the weeks leading up to Animation Dingle. Kevin’s passion for storytelling along with his vision and execution of his pitch was first class on the day. He had the audience, along with the panel, in the palm of his hand from the word go. I look forward to seeing Kevin’s career progress over the coming years.”

Kevin, who has hopes to be a scriptwriter, was delighted with the opportunity that has opened up for him and with the chance he got to pitch his idea, he particularly wanted to thank Clodagh Creedon, who is a second year student on the BA(Hons) in Communications in Creative Media in DkIT, who developed artwork based around his concept, which he said really added to his pitch. He is also looking forward to “Little Fluffy Monsters” the final year group project that he was lead scriptwiter on being showcased alongside other graduates work at the annual Fís Exhibition in the Carrolls Building in Dundalk Institute of Technology on the 31st and 1st of June.

Article by Caroline O'Sullivan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music.