Resources for Early Career Practitioners
Many great organisations in Victoria provide learning opportunities for working in the film, television and games industries, and offer specialist courses for practitioners to further develop industry skills.
TRAINING
Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) courses range from entry level short term to undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.
The University of Melbourne runs an intensive filmmaking summer school with highly qualified practitioners as teachers.
Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is Australia’s national screen arts and broadcast school, and runs short courses in Melbourne.
RMIT School of Media and Communication has undergraduate and post-graduate courses including screenwriting, film and television production, sound and vision, and digital media including games, animation and interactive media.
Swinburne University offers a range of film and digital media related courses at undergraduate and post graduate level.
La Trobe University offers undergraduate and post graduate degrees in cinema studies, covering both theory and production.
Deakin University has a range of degrees that teach theory and practical skills in film, television and digital media production.
Victoria University offers screen and media related courses, at TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Open Channel regularly runs short courses, seminars and specialist courses for all experience levels. They also run a young filmmakers school designed specifically for teenagers during school holidays.
GETTING EXPERIENCE
Open Channel members can get listed on a crewing database. Crewing helps develop skills and provides opportunities to meet people working on productions. Members also receive discounts for courses and facilities hire.
VCA School of Film and Television holds a crewing night for their student productions each May. This volunteer work provides credits and experience. You can also add your details to a crewing file which is accessed by VCA students year round.
Screen Artshub's subscription website includes paid and unpaid industry jobs across film, TV and digital media.
Production Book lists work and volunteer placements in film, TV, advertising and new media industries across the country. The Production Book also includes details of recruitment agencies specialising in the entertainment industry, particularly film and television crew.
The Community Broadcasting Foundation provides funding and broadcast opportunities for emerging television producers through C31 Melbourne and Geelong.
Film Victoria does not provide work experience placements.
NETWORKING
Film Victoria's Industry Directory provides contact information for Victorian based practitioners.
The Australian Writer’s Guild (AWG), the Australian Directors Guild (ADG), the Australian Cinematographer’s Society (ACS) and the Australian Screen Editors (ASE) hold member’s meetings and events, providing great opportunities to network.
The Australian Film Institute (AFI) is a membership-based organisation that has promoted Australian film and television since it was founded in 1958. It is responsible for producing the annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. Membership includes cinema discounts, access to preview screenings and discount tickets to the AACTA Awards.
LEGAL ADVICE AND SERVICES
The Arts Law Centre of Australia and Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance provide legal advice on matters related to film and television production.
The Australian Copyright Council is an independent non-profit organisation providing information and advice on copyright in Australia.
OTHER RESOURCES AND LINKS
We've compiled a range of screen industry links, covering professional, industry and arts organisations, news and resources, alongside specific links for the digital, games and animation sector.