SCREEN DREAMS
A new creative hub at Bond University is offering students of television and film a real-world experience of life in the industry
STUDENTS hoping to graduate to a career in film and television are working alongside industry veterans in a new collaboration between Screen Queensland and Bond University.
Bond Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford and Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira recently unveiled the creative hub co-working space on the university’s Varsity Lakes campus.
“We’ve always been thinking of ways to be ahead of the curve,” said Professor Brailsford, who has been finding ways to integrate the government arm of the movie industry and Bond students.
For students who are undertaking their degrees at Bond, the move has given them a sense of security when seeking internships or work experiences with professional productions.
Bachelor of Film and Television student Matthew Pierce, 19, is excited to collaborate with production companies and teams outside of the university environment.
“In the film industry, it can be hard getting a hold of big names,” said Pierce, who moved from California to the Gold Coast last year to pursue a career in music video and action sports production. “The creativity hub allows us to actually meet well-known industry professionals by bringing them right to us. It’s been great chatting to them about what the industry is actually like.”
Students have already started taking advantage of the creative hub for their projects.
Bachelor of Film and Television student Dayna Williams has used the hub while working on her short film titled Benji.
“The area has spaces where meetings can be held, casting auditions can be conducted and film screenings can be held,” she said.
“Mainly, it’s great having a space where we can create our own projects and interact with industry professionals.”
Upon graduating next year, Williams, 19, is looking forward to working on Australian films and getting to experience life on set.
Apart from Bond University, the space is open to students across Queensland, giving them the upper hand into an already booming film industry.
The creative hub was launched on June 15.