Wellington Filmmakers Collaborate on Creative Degree

Wellington Filmmakers Collaborate on Creative Degree

Well known New Zealand Film Director and Producer Alex Galvin (Director of Eternity and When Night Falls) and Director Theo Baynton (WotWots, Thunderbirds, Art Director of Jane and the Dragon) are getting behind a local degree, the Bachelor of Creative Technologies delivered by the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), allowing students to not only work on the animation and design elements of their current projects, but to also try their hand at illustration, model making, set design and creating the digital and visual elements of two new films.

“This collaboration with the creative industry is a dream come true,” says Teriu Lemon Head of Creative Technologies at WelTec. “It’s amazing that Alex and Theo who are such highly regarded industry professionals with international reputations are prepared to spend time with our young talented students mentoring them and teaching them the skills that are in hot demand by the creative sector. Gareth McGhie, WelTec tutor on the degree, who came directly from Weta Workshop will also be part of the team providing this amazing educational experience to students.

“The Bachelor of Creative Technologies is an ideal platform for young designers to launch their careers. With these industry projects embedded in our academic delivery students will have a foot in the door to industry before they even complete their Degree,” says Teriu Lemon. “The creative sector tells us they want graduates who are technically competent, who can work in teams, and who have experience and skills from a wide range of disciplines – in other words industry wants skilled graduates who can work in all aspects of film and television production. The projects with Alex and Theo, alongside our teaching programme mean students will gain all of the elements employers are wanting. With this Degree delivered via industry within an academic programme graduates will be able to work in New Zealand and overseas,” says Teriu Lemon.

“Championing emerging artists, designers and creators is what drove me to get involved with the Bachelor of Creative Technologies through WelTec,” says Alex Galvin. “This year, students on the Degree will be involved in all aspects of my new horror movie, from working with top industry professionals to gaining experience with the latest film and digital technology. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to work alongside these young talented students,” says Alex Galvin.

“Fostering students to deliver the talent the creative sector needs for future film and TV projects is also a fantastic opportunity for me,” says Theo Baynton. “I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from the students as well. My project involves producing and designing for a Sci-Fi movie. Students will be learning about film making but will also learn about the art of creating promotional material including poster design and photography.”

“We are also very privileged to have Neville Parker from InsideDesign and Michael Melville from CGM+Foster who are allowing students to work on industry-driven projects as part of the Bachelor of Creative Technologies Degree. This collaboration with industry means 2015 will be a fantastic year for our students and staff,” says Teriu Lemon.

Creative Technologies is part of the exciting new campus planned for Cuba St and opening in 2018. For more information on the Centre for Creative Technologies and Arts view: http://www.weltec.ac.nz/ABOUTWELTEC/NewsandEvents/Wellingtonsettocompeteonworldstage/tabid/1522/Default.aspx

View Alex Galvin’s promo at www.facebook.com/WelTec

ENDS

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