Screen and Media students work with Gold Coast Titans

TAFE Queensland’s Diploma of Screen and Media students assisted the Gold Coast Titans with their social media production day held at the Coomera Creative campus on Thursday 12 January.

Five students joined the Titans as their marketing team set out for a full day of capturing team photos, conducting interviews and producing content for their social media channels leading into the 2023 rugby league season. The students gained hands-on experience with access to three videography teams, providing support with setting up lighting, props, and set changes. 

TAFE Queensland’s work integrated learning officer Karen Graham said that the Gold Coast Titans reached out to use the Coomera Creative campus due to its unique facilities including the recording studios, black box theatre and auditorium. It was the perfect space and location for the Titans to get their whole team together to capture content for the year. It also provided a wonderful learning opportunity for the screen and media students.

“Having the Titans marketing team on campus using our equipment and facilities allowed our students access to hands-on learning alongside industry professionals, giving them an invaluable experience.”

Diploma of Screen and Media student Karli Jervis said she assisted with setting up for the shoot and learnt that there are a lot of intricacies that can really make a difference to the content captured.  

“I learned that the use of correct lighting can completely transform a set.”

“I'm so appreciative that TAFE Queensland offers hands-on opportunities like this, it really helps to give you an idea of where you would like to work within the industry and learn what the different roles are.”

Karli’s classmate, Jasper Sharpe said that the experience gave him an insight into how professional shoots are conducted and that he really enjoyed the whole atmosphere.

“I learned that being on set with industry experts doesn't have to be serious, the shoot was done very professionally, and the environment was relaxed and playful.”

“This hands-on experience provided us with the opportunity to get practical skills before entering the industry and it gave us the chance to gain some confidence in a professional setting.”

Past TAFE Queensland graduate Kerry O’Connell, who now works as a senior videographer for the Titans, was on set with current students passing on her knowledge and sharing her experience and career journey since leaving TAFE in 2016.  

“I was really lucky as six weeks after I graduated, the Gold Coast Titans were looking for a junior videographer and I remember the day I got the call with the job offer, the first person I called was my screen and media teacher at TAFE to give them the good news.”

“Now six years on with the experience I have, the advice I give to anyone is just to volunteer for everything because you will gain knowledge and make industry contacts.”

Learn more about a career in screen and media at TAFE Queensland: https://tafeqld.edu.au/course/19/19058/diploma-of-screen-and-media-production-management