Philip Flynn, chief executive of the Digital Hub Development Agency, said that Irish and international animation companies should take advantage of Irelands highly skilled workforce that has experience in producing digital animation from primary school, reports THE IRISH EXAMINER.
Flynn made his comments at the debut of the Liberties Claymation Festival in the Digital Hub in Dublin. The festival, which is running over three days, will feature more than 30 animation films produced and directed by children 8-16-from schools based in the Liberties.
Flynn added, The excellent storylines, imaginative sets and the skills demonstrated by local children in producing these films provide good prospects for the growth of The Digital Hubs animation sector.
The Liberties Claymation Festival is a demonstration of The Digital Hubs very wide remit. While we are currently in the process of tying down the development plans for the remainder of the Digital Hub site, local children are benefiting from digital media learning through schools, summer projects and homework clubs.
Flynn stated the programs provided the kids with insights into possible careers as well as new ways to take in information.
In fact, many of the programs that we offer through the Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative are designed to improve literacy levels among children with poor educational attainment, he said.
The Digital Hub was set in the historic Liberties area of Dublin as part of an urban regeneration project for the area. The Government backed initiative was established to create a center of innovation focused on digital content and technology enterprises.
The storylines for the stop-motion films are all developed by the children. The films are developed over the school year through the Diageo Liberties Learning Initiative.
Flynn said subject to funding and sponsorship the Digital Hub was keen to roll out its digital media education programs to other schools outside of the Liberties area.
He added, This Claymation festival is a demonstration of what can be achieved through digital media learning. Over the past four years, the Diageo Liberties Learning initiative has made such a positive impact on the lives of local children and we feel that their peers in other parts of the city and country could benefit too.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
