Australian Film Television and Radio School

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Australian Film, Television and Radio School
Motto	"Transforming Futures"
Established	1973
Type	Film School
Faculty	Film, Television & Radio
Postgraduates	Grad Cert, Grad Dip, Masters (MA) & MA Honours
Location	Sydney, New South Wales,  Australia
Campus	Fox Studios Australia
Website	www.aftrs.edu.au

The Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is the Australian national centre for professional education and advanced training in film, television, radio and digital media. The School is an Australian Commonwealth government statutory authority. It is a member of the "Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence".^[1]

AFTRS aims to advance the success and sustainability of Australia's screen and broadcast industries by developing the skills and knowledge of talented individuals and undertaking leading-edge research. AFTRS aims to transform the abilities of individuals and strengthen the skills base of the industry.

Contents 1 History 2 New School 3 Courses & Admission 4 Teaching Departments 5 Staff 6 Alumni 7 Notes 8 External links

[edit] History

Established in 1972 as part of the Commonwealth Government's strategy to promote the development of Australia's cultural activity, AFTRS was opened to students in 1973 with the first intake of 12 students including directors Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce and Chris Noonan.

In 1973 Jerzy Toeplitz was appointed Foundation Director of the School and after six years in the role, was awarded the Order of Australia and the AFI's Raymond Longford Award.

In 1975 Gough Whitlam helped to enact a range of initiatives, including the creation of funding agencies to support the Film School.

Graduates from the institution's tertiary education programs have gone on to national and international success.

[edit] New School

For many years AFTRS was located in purpose-built premises at North Ryde, Sydney, but in 2008 moved to a newly designed facility at Fox Studios, Sydney. It also has state offices or representatives in most capital cities in Australia.

[edit] Courses & Admission

Admission into the full time courses at AFTRS is competitive. As of 2007, AFTRS accepted around a total of 50 students each year in its full-time postgraduate programs in Sydney. Courses are organised around 13 specialist teaching departments and Full-time courses are open only to Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia. Approximately 5000 people undertake courses in the national short course program.

[edit] Teaching Departments

Cinematography Design Digital Media Directing Documentary

Editing Location Sound Recording Producing Radio

Screen Music Screenwriting Sound Design Television Production

[edit] Staff

AFTRS has many prominent industry professionals at the institute that assist in the training of students in their selected fields. As of 2008, some of the full-time staff include:

CEO: Sandra Levy Head of Cinematography: Jan Kenny Head of Design: John Rohde Director of Digital Media Division: Peter Giles Head of Directing: Catherine Millar Head of Editing: Bill Russo Laboratory for Advanced Media Production: Gary Hayes

Location Sound Lecturer: Rod Pascoe Head of Producing: Peter Herbert Director of Radio Division: Steve Ahern Head of Screen Music: Martin Armiger Head of Screen Studies: Karen Pearlman Head of Screenwriting: John Lonie Head of Sound Design: Mark Ward

[edit] Alumni

Some alumni from AFTRS include:

Directing Gillian Armstrong Alex Proyas Jane Campion Luke Eve Phillip Noyce Rolf de Heer Rowan Woods Daniel Krige Mario Andreacchio Michael James Rowland Ivan Sen Producing Stuart Parkyn Screenwriting Christopher Lee Billy Marshall Stoneking

Cinematography Andrew Lesnie Dion Beebe Composing Amanda Brown Benjamin Speed Basil Hogios Design Felicity Abbott Melinda Doring Editing Karen Pearlman

Animation Sejong Park BAFTA Award winning animator. Television Tina Lymberis Radio Corryn McKay, News Editor Mix FM Dave Wright Dan Bradley PD of Nova Greg Byrnes, PD of 2UE Kate Mac, 2Day FM Luke Jobson Reuben Mourad (T.V. presenter and radio announcer) Mike Hammond

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2008-09-15). "Arts training bodies" (html). http://www.arts.gov.au/arts_training_bodies. Retrieved 2008-10-03. 

[edit] External links

• Official website
• The Laboratory for Advanced Media Production An AFTRS initiative
• The AFTRS Centre for Screen Business - the business of the Business
• The Radio Branch of AFTRS
• Making Radio textbook Written by Steve Ahern - all you need to know about working in Australian Radio.