Born-and-bred Southlander Eyessa Gentle has taken advantage of the great training on her doorstep, to gain the skills and qualifications for New Zealand’s rapidly growing animation sector.
In Year 9 at Gore High School, Eyessa had the opportunity to attend a SIT Taster Day and view the Animation programme. “I was sold!” she enthused. “Walking into the room, seeing all of the facilities, getting to use all of the software; it was very effective marketing.” This helped Eyessa to prepare with her subject choices in Years 10-13; she took Information Technology (IT), as well as Biology, thinking the study of the human body would help her “work out how it moves; [it] could be applied to my animation”.
She also participated in the Murihiku Tertiary Academy (MTA) in Year 13, doing Game Design. “There’s a lot of overlap” between the two, she noted. Through MTA, Eyessa also met other students who went on to study Animation.
When she started the Bachelor of Screen Arts (Animation) in 2021, Eyessa found there was some continuity from MTA with her tutors, who taught some of her first-year classes; “it felt like an extension of ‘Trades Academy’.” She thought the programme’s structure was particularly well done in the first year. “[It] was good to begin with; it was broad … It’s very beginner friendly, there is nothing too intimidating to scare you off. You’re learning a good range of things within Animation.” By Year 3, Eyessa had worked out her specialisation. “Some people did change strands. I was pretty set in my choice, but it’s good to have the opportunity to try other things and know for certain I’d made the right choice.”
Initially thinking she would have to go to Wellington to study, Eyessa hasn’t had to; she’s preferred to stay close to home. “I commuted for the first year; it was quite brutal” but continued with it as she worked part-time. When the commute became too much, and she couldn’t work part-time, Eyessa moved to Invercargill in the second year. “I had the growing- up experience of taking responsibility.”
Health issues created the biggest challenge for Eyessa during her programme. “I have an auto-immune disease; it made it very difficult to do full-time study. I used HyFlex to get through.” With Covid pushing studies online, and SIT developing HyFlex (Hybrid Flexible) learning around the same time, Eyessa was able to utilise it.
“I’ve moved into HyFlex over the last two years. It’s been quite essential for me. I really don’t think I would’ve been able to carry on studying without it. It does open doors for people who may not be able to study conventionally.”
Making friends and “having people around you with the same interests and passions, to hang out and socialise with”, were the aspects of student life Eyessa enjoyed, especially in the first year. “We were close and did stuff together … It’s a balance between study and having fun.” Making those connections for the future were important, “…networking and building relationships, you’ll probably still have down the line,” she added.
Eyessa points to the quality of experience at SIT as her course highlight. Describing the facilities - “absolutely awesome” and her “amazing tutors” - Ruby (2D Animation) and Chris (3D Animation). “They are excellent …you can feel the passion in the teaching. Both are very talented artists, and it was quite a privilege to study under them.”
And the Zero Fees Scheme opens a lot of doors – “I could focus being on the course instead of worrying about how I was going to pay for it.”
SIT changed Eyessa’s perspective on the Animation industry in New Zealand, and how much actually happens locally. “… there’s a really big scene here and it keeps growing. Originally, I thought I’d have to go to America or live overseas, but there’s no need to; it’s a big win. You can be local and still take part in these big projects.”
“It’s really wonderful knowing where you want to be and being there.”
Eyessa believes one of the most valuable outcomes from her Animation training is the assurance that she’s made the right choice. “If you know, you know. I’ve always had a passion for it. To be part of it – the storytelling, the production – that’s what I really want to be part of.” Added to this, “I can’t sing enough praises about ‘Trades Academy’” she says. “I had a good understanding of expectations and how classes were run.” It’s a different structure from high school; classes are 2-3 hours long. “You’re left to your own devices to structure your own time and that’s definitely an adjustment,” she explains. Also knowing where to go on campus was advantageous. “I didn’t get lost! I had a lot of the answers; it was quite a comfort … I’m so glad I had the MTA experience leading up to it.”
Graduating with her degree in 2023, Eyessa came back in 2024 to complete a Graduate Diploma in Visual Media. “For most of the year I’ve been doing an internship making animated characters for music videos. I’ve really enjoyed working in children’s content, it’s something I want to explore more.” She also has an interest in specialising in mascots – designing and animating them for commercial purposes. In the meantime, Eyessa is taking a break from study over the summer to recharge her batteries, by visiting family in Wellington. And as for the future, “I’m going to wow the world; that’s the plan,” she says with a smile.