The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) opens its doors this Saturday August 19 and is inviting potential students to dive in and discover their creative potential in the film, television, radio and podcasting industries.
Open Day is AFTRS’ annual, access-all-areas event. This year the School is celebrating 50 years as Australia’s national screen and broadcast school and one of the world’s leading film schools – it has recently been named again as one of the top 15 films schools in the world by The Hollywood Reporter (August 2023 edition).
Those considering enrolling at AFTRS or the simply curious can join the interactive day at the School’s state-of-the-art Sydney campus or online.
“We invite everyone to come along and hear about our hands-on, industry-focused courses, meet our award-winning expert practitioners, take a School tour, see our passionate students in action and get valuable advice on scholarships, student support and acing your application,” said Director of Teaching and Learning, David Balfour.
AFTRS Open Day will feature demonstrations of its Virtual Production Volume studio. This is the technology that films like Thor: Love and Thunder used to capture In Camera Visual Effects, and is part of contemporary filmmaking practice taught within the Master of Arts Screen Program. Industry training in Virtual Production is also offered via short courses. Visitors will be able to see how live action and visual effects elements are combined using an LED volume wall.
There will be a sound stage in full operation as well as a radio studio with interview demonstrations and the opportunity to get behind the mic. AFTRS’ props and staging and TV Control areas will also be open for viewing. For those interested in AFTRS’ range of short courses, anyone visiting Open Day and enrolling in a short course will get an exclusive discount. The short course team invites visitors to drop in to visit their interactive ‘behind the behind-the-scenes of film and television production’ with hands-on opportunities with gear and the chance to step behind the news desk.
AFTRS senior staff will be presenting deep dive sessions into each course offering – short courses, Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production and the Masters program, student films will be screening in the AFTRS theatre and AFTRS CEO Nell Greenwood will lead a career pathways panel with guests including AFTRS Council member, Debra Richards (Director, APAC Content & Studio Affairs at Netflix) alongside AFTRS alumni Jayden Rathsam Hua (Master of Arts Screen, 2020) and Faraz Anarwala (Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production, 2021).
The AFTRS café and library will be open with an annual sale of books and merchandise. In the foyer visitors can also see an incredible collection of screen and broadcast items on loan from AFTRS alumni including Academy Awards from Jane Campion and David White, clapper boards from Dion Beebe, and a Daytime Emmy Award from Cleon Prineas.
AFTRS Open Day runs from 10am to 4pm – on campus and online.