Cathal Gaffney, the co-founder of Brown Bag Films, perceives a career in the creative media sector as an outstanding alternative for those who find traditional jobs unsuitable. “To create a cartoon requires a community,” said Gaffney, indicating the unique blend of the analytical and creative skills often required in the media sector. Overcoming challenges like dyslexia or difficulty with maths, many individuals in the sector flourish in roles such as production and directing.
Gaffney emphasises that there’s a place in the industry for every skill set, extending beyond typically creative or arts-based roles. He pointed out that roles exist for those interested in areas like Human Resources, technology or finance. According to him, there are myriad pathways into the sector.
One of the top reasons students should pursue a creative media course, as Gaffney sees it, is the prospect of high job satisfaction. He suggests that earning a living doing something that is creatively fulfilling and leverages your individual abilities is extremely satisfying. Comparing it favourably to an office job, he jokingly referred to their workplace as being full of “professional immaturity.”
Speaking on job opportunities, he highlighted the abundance, particularly within the animation sub-sector. Gaffney stated that the animation industry plays a significant role in Ireland’s creative economy and that the country is a leading voice in the global animation scene, outperforming both Germany and the UK combined.
His firm constantly faces a challenge in recruiting in Dublin due to a shortage of creative skillsets. Global demand for these skills is tremendously high. According to Gaffney, approximately half of his Dublin studio’s staff hail from various corners of the world, creating a vibrant multi-cultural workplace. Animation skills can be utilised globally, with demand currently at its peak.
The interview was conducted in 2022.