When you were a child, what were your wildest dreams for your career? Did you grow up hoping to be like Mum and Dad, or an older brother or sister? Or did you cast your gaze elsewhere, seeing the rock’n’roll stars onstage or the Hollywood celebrities onscreen and think, ‘Boy, I’d like to do that one day’?
Well, maybe it’s time to revisit your dreams. A host of Sydney’s specialist educational institutions are taking on students now, be it in their mid-year intakes or in dedicated short courses.
We asked the best of the bunch about what they’ve got on offer. Check it out – and who knows, maybe you’ll find your new career right here.
1. NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY
Ever dreamed of a career in film? The New York Film Academy has the opportunity for you. With courses offered in New York City, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Florence, Paris, Disney Studios, Harvard University, China, South Beach, Brazil, Japan, India, Indonesia, Russia and now Australia, this is definitely a global institution.
Head of Acting Brad McMurray urges all enthusiastic students to apply. “The Academy is for anyone who has a creative passion, or a burning desire to bring stories to life,” says McMurray. “All of us have a story that needs to be told, so if there’s that passion in you, I think it throws it pretty wide open for anyone to have a crack.”
The Academy offers courses in Filmmaking and Acting for Film, taught by industry experts that offer real world experience from as far as the UK and the US. McMurray himself has a vast wealth of experience in the film industry, and he says what the academy offers in terms of facilities and equipment is tremendous. “The equipment they have here as far as cameras, lighting and the studio facilities are just unbelievable. Looking at it, you could make three feature films with what we have here. The lecturers we get on board are from all over the world, in both acting and film. So the key thing for students moving through this program is that all the lecturers on board are very specific, they’re not just people who haven’t been involved in the industry. These are people who have many national and international credits up their sleeves, so they’re learning from industry professionals.”
Petar Zabic is a current student at the Academy, finishing his second year of an advanced diploma in screen and media, and he’s extremely keen to get into the industry. “I’ve just been signed up with an agent and that’s cool, because I’ve recently cut a showreel together and just put my work to the test and there was an agency that was really interested. I’m actually heading over to LA after the course,” Zabic says. “I’ve got a few projects on the go – I’ve got a feature film in the works which I’m writing with my best friend and that’s going really well. But the main plan is to be working in the industry so I’ll be going and banging out auditions until I succeed. Right now I’m just looking forward to going to Los Angeles and enjoying the ride.”
Petar was looking for direction in his life before finding the Academy. “I was going through a rough patch in regards to employment. I was watching The Actors Studio and thinking, ‘How cool would it be to go to a school and study acting?’ I’ve always wanted that, and I knew it was the next step for me because my life wasn’t going anywhere. So basically I went in, had an interview, got in the next day and haven’t looked back since.”
Having experienced it firsthand, Zabic confirms what McMurray says about the facilities and teachers. “The teachers are really great, very supportive. They don’t bullshit, they’ve got so much experience within the industry and it’s awesome because they’re really open. The teachers I’ve had have all been very thorough, meticulous and good at incorporating all your techniques. Acting in front of the whole class can be very confronting, but they allow you to experiment, they give you the freedom and support you need. It hasn’t been easy but it’s been so instrumental in my growth as an actor. The school is still growing so there’s always room for development – they’re always incorporating new ideas and new plans for the future.
What: New York Film Academy Open House
Where: Level 4, 127 Liverpool St, Sydney
When: Saturday May 31
Website: New York Film Academy
2. AFTRS
AFTRS – Australia’s national screen arts and broadcast school – is introducing a bold new undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (Screen) degree in 2015.
The new Bachelor of Screen Arts is all about preparing creative people to be nimble operators for a platform-agnostic world and fuses both deep scholarly engagement with the art of storytelling, the history of cinema as well a cross-disciplinary hybrid of subjects that span the full spectrum of screen production.
The ways stories are told is ever-changing, as platforms and technologies evolve and adapt, but the desire to tell a story is innate to the human condition. Two core subjects, ‘Story’ and ‘The History of Film’ underpin the entire degree and are complemented by other subjects and electives, throughout the three-year program providing exciting opportunities to collaborate with other students and to be taught by some of the best screen practitioners, in the best facilities in Australia.
Intentionally designed to ‘future-proof’ graduates for a changing and dynamic world, the Bachelor of Screen Arts combines critical thinking and creative engagement as students are immersed in the world of storytelling but not limited by technology, where adaptability, resilience and entrepreneurial skills will equip them for a lifelong creative career.
Voted into the top 20 film schools in the world by industry bible The Hollywood Reporter (in October 2012), AFTRS presents unrivalled opportunities for students to network and form lifelong professional relationships.
Entry is by merit selection. Applications for 2015 will open in September 2014.
Where: Building 130, The EQ, Moore Park
Bachelor of Screen Arts Information Day: Saturday June 28, 10am-2pm
Phone: 1300 13 14 61 or (02) 9805 6611
Email: [email protected]
Website: AFTRS
3. THE AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE BROADWAY
The Australasian College Broadway offers certificate to diploma courses in Hairdressing, Salon Management, Make Up, Beauty Therapy, Vocational Graduate Certificate in IPL and Laser Hair Reduction, and a Degree in Applied Health Science (Clinical Aesthetics).
You will be taught by leaders in the specific field to obtain the skill sets required (the technical knowledge and the practical experience) that will enable you to be well equipped for your chosen career path, opening doors that could lead you into the many exciting options of the personal services industry.
The Australasian College Broadway is one of Australia’s leading Vocational Education and Training (VET) organisations and is considered the benchmark College for hairdressing, beauty and make up. The College is a highly awarded and recognised centre for learning and educational excellence. Since its foundation in 1994, the College has assisted tens of thousands of students to develop the skills and knowledge to grow and develop their careers in the personal services sector.
The Australasian College Broadway offers a range of Diploma and above courses under the VET FEE-HELP student loan scheme, enabling students to study now and pay later.
Where: 87 Bay St, Glebe
Intake info: Regular monthly intakes January – December
Phone: (02) 8587 8888
Email: [email protected]
Website: TAC
4. SAE CREATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE
SAE Creative Media Institute is the world’s leading education provider in creative media industries with more than 50 campuses globally. SAE Sydney has been supplying creative media graduates to the world since 1976.
SAE offers degree, diploma and certificate courses in six disciplines; Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games as well as Web & Mobile.
SAE prides itself on delivering exceptional programs in world-class facilities. SAE ensures students receive an outstanding education, internationally recognised qualifications, and industry-relevant skills, giving graduates a significant competitive edge.
SAE Sydney has recently moved to a new campus, creating brand new learning spaces and modern high-end teaching facilities fitted out with the best state-of-the-art equipment.
The Sydney campus offers seven fully equipped, state-of-the-art audio recording studios; three film editing suites; a super-sized green screen; large online editing suite and production control room; three flexible teaching spaces and computer labs fitted with Apple iMacs with industry leading software, ensuring students gain the most from their studies.
SAE Sydney Campus Manager Radovan Klusacek said that SAE sees itself as a place to learn and create, giving students the opportunity to learn while working on real-life projects under the mentorship of industry skilled expert teachers.
“Our teaching program focuses on the knowledge and skills that industry demands now and our teaching style produces creative individuals who are ready to commence their professional career,” Klusacek said.
Where: Level 1, 11 York St, Sydney
Next intake: Monday June 2
Phone: (02) 8241 5300
Email: [email protected]
Website: SAE
5. AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC SYDNEY
The Australian Institute of Music Sydney is now offering short courses as well as bachelor, diploma and postgraduate courses in Performance, Audio and Production and Entertainment Management. AIM short courses are suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill levels.
AIM’s short courses for adults are delivered by industry professionals in a non-competitive, relaxed environment. Courses include Songwriting, Film Scoring, DJing, ProTools, Ableton, Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and Music Theory. Students who complete an AIM short course will also receive a Certificate of Completion.
AIM also runs individual music lessons for those wishing to learn how to play an instrument or improve your skills through music lessons with an AIM industry professional.
Whether you’re looking to learn music theory, play aninstrument or develop your technique, individual tuition at AIM offers a unique and inspiring way to learn. Courses can be tailored to suit your own requirements. One-on-one lessons available include: vocals, guitar, bass, woodwind (clarinet, flute, saxophone), songwriting, classical voice, piano, violin, drums, percussion, electronic music production, and music theory and composition.
For more information, call AIM and ask for the Short Courses Coordinator: (02) 9219 5444 [email protected].
Where: 1-55 Foveaux St, Surry Hills
Open Day: Saturday August 16 from 11am
Phone: (02) 9219 5444
Email: [email protected]
Website: AIM
6. METRO SCREEN
Study at Metro Screen with the Certificate IV Screen & Media. Take a series of accredited part-time short courses in the evenings and over weekends at Metro Screen to build up an industry specialisation in key craft areas of writing, directing, production, post-production, cinematography, sound, editing and other specialist areas such as lighting and animation. Courses are set to suit all levels of training, with introductory and intermediate entry to suit your experience. Our courses are hands-on and practical and provide you with the tools to build your skills and find work in the screen and creative industries.
Mix and Match: the full range of accredited short courses at Metro Screen can be mixed and matched to suit your working life and career goal. You can start at any point that suits your lifestyle and personalcircumstances.
Already in the industry? If you have work experience or you have completed an accredited short course at Metro Screen previously, you may be eligible for RPL – Recognised Prior Learning.
Ten jobs you can apply for with a Certificate IV are: 1. Production Assistant (TV & Film); 2. Editor’s Assistant (TV & Film); 3. Promotions Coordinator; 4. Content Marketing Assistant; 5. Video Content Coordinator; 6. Web Video Journalist – Cadetship; 7. Digital Content Producer; 8. Web Video Producer; 9. Distribution Administrator; 10. Independent Filmmaker
If you’re not sure where to start or you’d like career advice, call Pete Ireland on (02) 9356 1818 or email [email protected] or visit metroscreen.org.au/cert4.
where: Corner of Oxford St and Oatley Rd, Paddington
Phone: (02) 9356 1818
Email: [email protected]
Website: Metro Screen
7. RAFFLES COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND COMMERCE
Raffles has been around for almost 25 years. Keeping pace with industry, we deliver excellent courses and produce graduates who are successful in their careers by having lecturers who are active in industry, so their teaching skills are based on real-time knowledge of the professional landscape.
Courses on offerincludeAnimation, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Games Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Multimedia Design, New Media & Digital Film, Photography, Accountancy, Design Management, Finance, Hospitality, Management and Marketing.
Raffles offers the best of both worlds: a global outlook and resources with the quality learning of a boutique college environment. Raffles has 34 international colleges and 3 universities across 31 cities in 12 countries. Compared to government providers, our classes are small and the learning environment is more intimate.
Classes fill fast, so allow yourself enough time to enrol and sort out your timetable. The internship program at Raffles is high-calibre, with industry partnership programs such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia being a unique graduate mentorship program.
Where: 99 Mount St, North Sydney
Next intake: Thursday July 17 / Thursday October 2
Phone: (02) 9922 4278
Email: [email protected]
Website: Raffles
