The Reel NYC, by Jenny Mc Quaile

Catching my breath at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge

Dubliner, Jenny McQuaile gives us the low-down on her New York experience as a Documentary Production student in Brooklyn College.  
Describe your career path to date... 'I have spent the last 10 years working as a journalist in Dublin and London, and the last four traveling around the world. I was living out of a backpack, writing to eat and to sleep when I realized that four years and four continents is probably enough for even the most wondrous of souls.On New Years eve last year, I decided that I wanted to branch out from being a celebrity/entertainment reporter. I loved the media world but traveling had broadened my viewpoint and had undoubtedly changed me as a journalist. I had met many different kinds of people and experienced some fascinating ways of life. I decided I wanted to give people, communities and cultures a chance to share their stories with the world. This is how I came to the decision to study Documentary Film Production.' 
What made you choose to study in New York?'I did research film production courses in Ireland but none of them were specializing in documentary making. I also came to realize that most of the film courses in Ireland are quite academic. My desire to experience a wide range of real-world film set situations needed to be fulfilled outside of Ireland.

An Empire State of Mind!

As soon as I saw that approximately 85% of the Documentary Production course content in Brooklyn College was directly related to film-making skills, I was sold. As a mature student with closely related industry experience already under my belt, an emphasis on discussing things hypothetically was not an option for me.' 
Has your financial investment been justified so far? 'I was vindicated in my decision to fork out thousands of dollars to come here in my first week. My production class professor is a real life director who has worked with Spike Lee and The Muppets, he has made numerous commercials, TV shows and movies and he knows what he is talking about when he tells us about the industry. His anecdotes bring the class to life.  

Posing for friends and family with the Manhattan skyline...

The diversity of experience to be found amongst my class mates is also inspiring in itself. My college friends and I spend the evenings attending independent film screenings in Brooklyn's B.A.Mcinematek together and brainstorming new project idea's for assignments.'

How do you plan to make the most of your time in N.Y.C from a career viewpoint?

'Don't let the sun go down on you...'

'New York city challenges me.Not many people get to say they work in the film or TV industry and I want to be one of the lucky ones. Every corner I sit on I get inspiration from passers by. I plan to do as many internships as I can, go to as many casting calls and fetch as much coffee as humanly possible until I get to where I want to be. As everybody knows, getting paid work as a professional is all about the experience you have. Every other day I am getting emails for work experience casting calls. If you want to work in film/tv you will get the break you need in New York . That kind of opportunity range and scale is just not there in Ireland for me.'
Any advice for YOUNG BUCKS at home reading this thinking of studying abroad? 'The financial cost of studying abroad is not feasible for everyone but what I have learned throughout my 30 years is not to shut yourself off from any opportunity. Now that I am here I plan to grasp every shot I get with both hands and love every second of it.'