Rookie of the Year award for Master’s student
Jessica first discovered her passion for film while studying a Bachelor of Design Innovation at Victoria. “I majored in Media Design, which has a film component with animation and digital video, and I also minored in Film. I just wanted to take all the video papers I could.”
The film projects she created as part of her Bachelor’s degree provided the portfolio she needed to enter The Rookies, which is exclusively for students of higher education institutes.
Over 2,700 students entered the competition from 81 countries. Overwhelmed by the talent of other entrants, Jess forgot about the competition and was surprised to learn a couple of months later, she was runner-up in the Film Production category.
“I actually couldn’t believe it, so many talented people entered the competition, I thought—it’s not possible.
”I won some top-of-the-line software as a prize. But what I really feel like I’ve won is exposure. I’ve already had people from Canada get in contact about collaborating on projects together.
“Winning this award is a nice reassurance that I’m on the right track to becoming a professional in the film industry.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do this without Victoria. It’s given me the opportunity to make these films during my degree, and the people who taught me have inspired and guided me in my filmmaking.”
Jess is now studying a Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)—Victoria’s new 12-month programme that works in collaboration with Weta Workshop and includes hands-on experience as an intern in the industry.
In addition to designing a major creative project, the programme includes courses in the theory of creativity and arts management and marketing.
“It’s been extremely useful. I didn’t know how to budget or how to make a profit, but now I’m at a new level of understanding.
“I’m loving this course. It’s not every day you get to do a Master’s degree with such full industry insight.”
View Jess’s winning film entries online.