It is never too late to carve out a behind the `scenes' career in the entertainment industry according to the Sound Training Centre in Dublin which is running part time courses aimed at mature students in search of a career change. Olive Keogh reports.
By OLIVE KEOGH
UP TO TWO years ago the Sound Training Centre, in Dublin's Temple Bar, aimed most of its courses at those already playing in bands or involved in the entertainment business in some way.
Since then, however, the student mix has changed as part time courses have been set up to facilitate mature students interested in breaking into a new career in sound. The age profile of the mature students ranges from 25 to 60 years and the majority have signed up for the recording engineering course.
Their reasons for doing the course have been varied, but some wanted to work on films, others either wanted to work in a recording studio or set up their own studio, while others wanted to work in broadcasting or with bands," says Deirdre Murphy who coordinates the centre's courses.
"There are a number of career options open to students within the growing film, music and TV industries. For example they could work as a sound engineer in a studio or at live concerts, or they could become a guitar or drums technician whose job is to set up the instruments before concerts. There are also opportunities in film and for backline technicians who set up the stage and PA systems for concerts," she says.
The Sound Training Centre was established in 1986 to cater for the entertainment industry's demand for suitably qualified personnel.
Courses comprise technical training and an introduction to the commercial structure of the industry and where possible students have a three week work placement on completion of their course.
The courses are available on a part time basis over 22 weeks or, full time over 32 weeks and part time courses cost £850 while fully time courses are between £1,700 and £2,000. From September, the centre is also hoping to offer year and two year courses accredited by City and Guilds.
"The technical side of the courses is very `hands on' and, in the case of the recording engineering course, students are encouraged to develop practical skills in editing, sampling, sequencing and advanced music and sound production," says Deirdre Murphy.
"The music business studies module is designed to give students an appreciation of how the industry words and what employment opportunities are available in the various sectors and this module also covers topics such as music publishing and royalty collection as well as the role of the lawyer and the accountant within the entertainment business. Stage, artist and studio management are covered as are film sound and musical equipment retailing so it is a comprehensive look at the whole sector," she says.
Gerry Fitzpatrick is a busy hospital doctor in his early 40s who is also a student on the part time recording engineering course. "I have a long standing interest in music and song writing and I felt it would be useful to know something about the technical side of music production," he says.
"The course is taking up about nine hours a week between two evening lecture sessions and practical work at the weekends and it's so far so good. I thought it made sense to do a course rather than mess around for years trying to pick things up from books in order to maximise the benefit from the time I was prepared to put in. The course is well structured and there are good facilities and it is up to us to make the best use of them," he says.
The Sound Training Centre is part of the Temple Bar Music Centre complex which has state of the art training, recording and post production facilities. In addition to the recording engineering course, the centre offers a course in live sound and stage production which includes a live recording engineering module as well as modules on lighting, rigging and design and PA systems.
DURING THE summer the centre is running a series of five day "taster" courses designed to give students an insight into the "behind the scenes" workings of the entertainment industry.
Topics to be covered will include high technology in music and recording studio engineering and there will be tours to various venues and facilities and a careers workshop to round off the week. There are also practical sessions on how to design a stage plan and set up a PA system as well as recording and mixing a band in studio. The course fee is £129 and the first session kicks off on July 8th.
