Graduate Careers Australia

Journalism

Film & Theatre

Since the earliest beginnings of human society we seem to have been hard-wired with the urge to dress up and act out. Today’s film and theatre enterprises are modern manifestations of that deep psychological need. Both are multi-billion dollar global industries and they continue to exist simply because we couldn’t live without them.

For those who earn their living in these industries, however, the rewards are unpredictable and the perils considerable. Although it can be a tough life, those who live it usually do so because, like moths round a flame, they can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s a high-risk, low-security business which demands stamina, discipline, imagination, irrational optimism, raw talent and a high tolerance for sleep deprivation.

What Skills do Film and Theatre Graduates Develop?

University undergraduate courses generally do not aim to provide vocational training. Rather, they engage students in an educative process which may include creative and practical studies integrated with programmes of historical, theoretical and critical analysis. The outcome is a degree which is recognised and respected both nationally and internationally.

Simon Marler, a short film director, producer and casting director, believes that universities offer their students practical resources and a secure environment within which they are stimulated to explore, challenge and question. He particularly values the historical knowledge which graduates bring to the industry, believing that you can’t make a modern film without understanding the evolution of cinema, or perform theatre without understanding its traditions.

He says it’s important for individuals to develop their own unique critical sense if they are to operate confidently in the industry, but being moulded too tightly too soon can stifle this. In his experience university graduates are less likely to be forced into defining themselves before they’re ready, due to the interdisciplinary nature of their study and the emphasis on process over pre-defined outcomes. They tend to have an open minded quality which he believes serves them well in the industry.

Download a complete copy of Career View on Film and Theatre below.

Career View on Film and Theatre is part of the Career View series produced by Career Development and Employmentat Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. While the booklet was originally developed for a New Zealand audience, we believe that graduates in Australia will also find the information within it relevant and useful.

Check out the excellent resources available on the Victoria University of Wellington's Careers homepage at www.vuw.ac.nz/st_services/careers

• Journalism
• Film & Theatre
• Media Studies