Benjamin Rupprecht is currently a MA student in Film & Screen Media at University College Cork. He did his undergraduate degree in Theatre and Media Studies and History and has since worked in the German film industry for three years. He has produced and directed his own short films and is now hoping to establish his voice as a filmmaker in Ireland. Besides his film work he keeps a major interest in the theatre scene and is always looking forward to opportunities of intermedial and international collaborations.

Martina Aloia is an inspiring director of photography, currently finishing her Masters Degree in Film & Screen Media in University College Cork. Before that, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, studying Audio-visual languages and techniques. A year of her undergrad was spent in the faculty of Media at HAW Hamburg, where she wrote and directed Windows, her second short film. Martina spent the year following her bachelors degree traveling North America. There, she found the inspirations for her future projects, capturing different cultural moments and writing new scripts. Martina’s specialty and focus remains lighting.

Irina Frederika Tarvida graduated from Tallinn University in AV Media. Her graduation short film was screened by several international film festivals. She is currently an MA student in Film and Screen Media Studies at University College Cork. Before deciding to study film she worked as a graphic designer, illustrator as well as a dance teacher/choreographer in Latvia.

Lucy Winter is an aspiring production designer studying Film and Screen Media MA at University College Cork. Moving on from their BA in Film and Television studies at The University of Lincoln in the UK, Lucy has gone on to produce and direct a selection of pieces including stop motion animation, horror and experimental pieces. Further expanding their interests in media, Lucy is excited to explore the future of interactive media experiences such as VR and video games.

Growing up in the west of Ireland, Conall McManus always had a fascination with cinema. After studying film as a child and now as a student, he aims to become a screenwriter and director and continue making films an integral part of his life.

Gaia Kriscak is originally from Italy, but has been living abroad since 2018, when she moved to the Netherlands. There she completed two bachelor degrees, one in Arts, Culture, and Media and another one in Philosophy of Cognition and AI, at the Rijksuniversiteit of Groningen. Gaia is now completing a MA in Film and Screen Media at University College Cork and she aims to become a film scholar and university professor.

Ruben Tapia is an audiovisual creator and camera operator from Mexicali, Mexico.Currently, he is doing a Film and Screen Media Master’s Degree in University College Cork. Lately, he has been involved in different projects such as Clubber TV  as videographer and steamer for the GAA Football in County Cork. He has also been approaching institutions to collaborate in making audiovisual projects such as Jerusalema Challenge for Mercy Hospital in Cork City and collaborating on several projects in University College Cork including the Department of Theatre and the Audio Visual Media Services Department.

The simple fact of creating moving images alongside audio and a script, makes me feel a strong engagement with people trying to create something beyond a simple video, it goes further, it ends up emerging feelings and emotions.

TECHNICIAN

Ronan is a Lighting Designer, Assistant/Associate Designer, Lighting Programmer and Chief Electrician for theatre, looking to specialise in new work plays and musicals.

In 2019, from hundreds of applicants, Ronan was selected by Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) as one of only seven designers to travel to the United States for the Fred Foster Mentorship Program. He spent the following year under the mentorship of Josh Allen, while also growing an extensive network of mentors and friends from Broadway to the West End. This has allowed him to travel the world and work on projects from Off-Broadway to the Royal Albert Hall.

He also works extensively in Live Events and Architectural lighting. He is a Lighting and Controls Designer with 3LR Design where he works on major architectural design projects across the globe.

In 2020 Ronan also began working as a Technical Consultant while theatres were closed to the public. He acted as Technical Director for several Arts Festivals as they made the move to online platforms. These include: Halfmoon Festival (UCC), Out of Orbit Festival (UCC), Cork Puppetry Festival, Corcadorca SHOW and Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Festival.

Ronan has worked on several short films and documentaries as a Cinematographer, Gaffer, and Director and often calls on these skills and experience to round out his designs.

TECHNICAL MANAGER

Declan Leonard is a Theatrical Lighting Designer and Technician based in Cork, currently serving as the Technical Officer in the Granary Theatre, UCC. Declan has large experience working as a freelance designer in the city working heavily with the Firkin Crane, The MTU Cork School of Music and the Granary Theatre itself. Declan is the Technical Liaison and Supervisor for the Rebound Arts Festival for all events taking place in the UCC Department of Theatre. He is looking forward to working with the MA AMCP Students on their festival this weekend.