Free online training in screen industry

Film set designer Shane Bunting, who is celebrating 30 years in the screen industry, said there are an increasing number of opportunities for exciting careers in this vibrant growing sector.

Mr Bunting is one of a number of industry professionals offering free online specialist training through the ScreenWorks platform funded by NI Screen and run by education charity Into Film.

Now as part of ScreenWorks Online he’s sharing the knowledge he’s learned on an endless list of film and television projects. Aimed at young people aged 14-19 the tutorials can be accessed in school or at home.

“ScreenWorks has been invaluable in making young people aware of the wide variety of jobs that are needed on a film set. When most people think of a film set, they think of jobs like director, actor or cameraman but there’s a huge range of skilled jobs like painters, plasterers, graphic designers, costume makers, food stylists, caterers and many more,” he said.

Shane originally trained in furniture design at Art College before going off to travel and teach. When he returned home in 1990, he applied for a job in BBC’s design department and worked there for eight months before going freelance.

“I love furniture design and what I’m doing now is really designing sets in 3D,” he explained.

The process involves meeting the production team to get the brief and reading the script. He then creates a 3D model that helps the film makers understand what the final set will look like. A construction team will then take his plans and build the set on site.

Shane is currently working on a number of projects including Paddy Raff’s Christmas Special and the CBBC show Almost Never.

“I love this job for the variety; One week you could be designing a set for a battle scene and the next working on Proms in the Park. There’s always a new challenge and that’s what I love,” he said.

He has recorded a special 35 minute video tutorial for ScreenWorks Online, available to all young people aged 14-19 keen to learn about the exciting career opportunities here in Northern Ireland.

ScreenWorks Online co-ordinator Sean Boyle said: “The young people have responded so enthusiastically to the Set Design unit and the quality of the projects that they’ve submitted for Shane to review has been extraordinary. It shows the wealth of talent out there that we can bring into the industry over the coming years.”

ScreenWorks Online is being hosted on Into Film’s new learning platform at www.intofilm.org/screenworksonline.

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