There was an air of disappointment from teachers and students five years ago, when a seemingly popular course disappeared from Gymea’s campus.
But there is good news for budding film and television stars – it’s back.
TAFE NSW has re-introduced film and television studies to Loftus campus, in a new and expanded format.
From August 6 this year, it will offer a Certificate 4 in TV Production.
Loftus will be the only campus in St George and Sutherland Shire to offer the course.
It means students will no longer need to travel to Randwick or Ultimo if they want to pave a career in the entertainment industry.
Course teacher Nick Bleszynski, of Gymea, taught the course when it was on offer in the shire.
He has been teaching at the other Sydney campuses, and is thrilled to have it local again.
“Lots of courses go on demand, but things come back in vogue,” he said.
“The rise of digital technology, streaming and social media has increased the demand for these skills right across the broadcast and business world.
“Video and graphic content is a primary form of communication – it’s the way we’re speaking to each other, and the tools to make it are more affordable and available than at any time in history.
“Everything happens on the small screen. All of these factors prompted a re-think.”
Mr Bleszynski has worked in the industry for 35 years as a writer and director.
He has made commercials and documentaries in the UK for the BBC, Channel 4 and 5, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Channel 7 and ABC in Australia, and is currently producing an Anzac documentary.
“I’m from old school technology, but nothing I learnt is redundant,” he said.
“Anyone can take an iPhone from their pocket and take a few shots but to give something meaning and connect to an audience – you need to learn that.
“It’s all very well to have the tools but you need to know how to use them because we’re teaching a craft, not just pages of a syllabus.”
The teacher says the industry wants more aspiring, tech-savvy creators.
“We talk to the broadcast industry and they want young, trained professionals who are versed in new media,” he said.
“There is always room for creative people in the world but this is the talent of the future.”
A spokeswoman for TAFE NSW said the decision to bring the course back to the region addressed a need to meet skills of the future.
“The latest census figured showed Sutherland Shire had a higher average number of primary and secondary students in comparison to Sydney,” she said.
“The return of TV Production courses to TAFE NSW Loftus provides a great value opportunity for creative people of all ages in the shire to gain the media production skills that will set them on the path to working in the media industry.”
Throughout the one semester or six month course, students will learn camera work, lighting techniques, sound production, directing, script-writing, editing and special effects with industry-standard equipment
Short digital film-making courses will also run during weekday evenings and on weekends.
Staff also hope to offer a media course to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) high school students in 2019.
Find out more at the information open night at 6.30pm on Thursday, July 26, at Loftus campus library.
Details: tafensw.edu.au
