Southern Cross University partners with Screenworks

From 2020, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications will have access to tailor-made, screen-related development and networking opportunities with some of Australia’s leading industry figures. 

Despite many of the University’s students living in rural and remote areas, they will also gain exclusive insights into how the screen industry operates, explore latest innovations and receive a free 12-month Screenworks membership. 

Together Southern Cross and Screenworks hope to promote and advocate for media and communications students in regional, rural and remote Australia. 

Professor Mark Hughes, Dean and Head of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, says it’s a great thrill for staff and students to be involved in this partnership. 

“Advancing the screen industry in regional and rural areas is a goal shared by both Screenworks and Southern Cross University,” he says. 

“The Northern Rivers in particular attracts many screen projects and crews given the area’s natural beauty and incredibly rich creative communities. 

“We want to make best use of the opportunities currently available and build capacity in the industry. This can happen by investing in the next generation of screen artists and workers.”

Screenworks Chief Executive Officer Ken Crouch said regional voices and stories have always been popular in Australian film and television.

“Through the Screenworks partnership with Southern Cross University we look forward to supporting the development of new regional voices and talent and connecting them with the national and international screen industry which can provide work opportunities and career pathways for the students.”

For Bachelor of Media (Media Design and Screen) graduate Emily Page, the partnership announcement was exciting news. 

“This is such an amazing partnership to have in Northern NSW,” says the 24-year-old budding filmmaker who has been a member of Screenworks for five years.

Emily said the membership presented many career opportunities she may otherwise not have had.

“Screenworks put me in touch with many opportunities, including working on Deadlock, a five-part web drama series for ABC TV and ABC iView that premiered last year.”

For her internship on the set of Deadlock, Emily’s role was Production Office Attachment and Runner. She was paid a wage while working alongside the highly experienced film crew from Every Cloud Productions.

“The experience helped me bridge the gap between being a student filmmaker to a professional. I now also have an industry credit to my name,” Emily says.

“And through my involvement with Screenworks, I have been able to gain other work opportunities in reality TV and feature films.” 

Emily says that despite Lismore being a regional area, the film culture and talent in the area is huge. 

“This region is such a creative space. I never realised there were so many creative people condensed into one area before I moved here.”

Screenworks is a registered charity that provides support, leadership and vision for the regional screen industries in Australia. It has a particular focus on the industry cluster in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications students will now receive these benefits:

• A panel discussion at Southern Cross University in 2020 about how to build a regional screen industry career. It will feature professionals from the Northern Rivers.
• Discounted prices to Screenworks events and programs throughout the year, along with the opportunity to apply for Southern Cross University’s Career Pathways Programs and Global Connect Programs.
• Industry mentoring for two students each year. 
• Complimentary 12-month Screenworks Regional Student Membership. 

Enrol now in the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications for 2020.