ACCLAIMED COURSE OFFERS EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAELIC MEDIA TRAINEES

Three trainees on the acclaimed Diploma in Television and Multimedia, offered by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the Gaelic Television Training Trust, will this week begin an innovative placement with Skye-based filmmaker Chris Young. Kathleen MacLeod (Waternish), Magnus Graham (Breakish) and Duncan MacKinnon (Sleat) will spend three months in Edinburgh working with Youngfilms on their latest venture, a feature film entitled 'Festival', written by Annie Griffin of 'The Book Group' fame, as part of their practical placement training on the Diploma course.

The trainees have previously worked with Youngfilms on the short Gaelic film 'Foighidinn', filmed on location in Sleat and due for transmission this Christmas on BBC. Chris Young was suitably impressed, "The trainees who have clearly acquire excellent knowledge and skill at the College showed great enthusiasm and aptitude throughout the filming of 'Foighidinn' and we're looking forward to welcoming them back onto the team. It is extremely important that young talent in the Highlands and Islands is encouraged and we're delighted to be working with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and the Gaelic Television Training Trust to provide new opportunities for trainees on the Diploma course", said Chris.

Other placements for trainees this year will be provided by BBC Online and Scottish Television. The success of the Diploma course is self-evident with the vast majority of graduates gaining employment in the Gaelic broadcasting industry. Duncan MacKinnon from Sleat is hoping that his placement with Youngfilms will build on the experience he's gained on the course and lead to full-time employment in the industry, "The Diploma has given us a solid grounding in different aspects of the industry - scripting, camera work, editing, directing, multimedia - and I'm hoping that I'll be able to put what I've learnt to good use. It's a great opportunity and we're all looking forward to starting work on the film with Chris and gaining practical experience in the industry", said Duncan.

Interviews for a limited number of places on the new course - reduced from two years to one year - will be held early in August. Anyone wishing to register a late interest should contact Catriona Johnston on 01471 888 336 or by email - sm00cni@groupwise.uhi.ac.uk