Last week, New York Film Academy Australia (“NYFA Australia”) had the pleasure of welcoming U.S. Embassy officials Chargé d’Affaires Michael Goldman and Consul General Sharon Hudson-Dean to the NYFA Australia Production Studios Campus as part of their tour of the world-renowned Village Roadshow Studios backlot and various film industry divisions of Queensland.
With Queensland being one of the film industry’s largest hubs for film production in Australia, this visit (which also included a stop by Pananvision and Myriad Film Studios who are also located on the backlot) was an opportunity for the U.S. officials to experience first hand the facilities, resources and talent the Gold Coast has to offer to international productions. The Screen Queensland initiative to encourage international film production to the state of QLD, has had the support of the federal and local governments for some time. Mid-2020, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morisson announced a Federal Government $400 million incentive to attract film and television productions to Australia, in addition to the existing incentives for both domestic and international productions offered by Screen Queensland and the City of Gold Coast. “Screen Queensland and the City of Gold Coast also have an incentive, which is the only council (Gold Coast) in the whole of Australia that actually has one for the film industry,” explains Lynne Benzie, President of Village Roadshow Studio.
During their time on campus, Mr. Goldman and Ms. Hudson-Dean had a chance to see NYFA Australia students, the future talent of the film industry, on-set and in action. They also spent some time learning about NYFA Australia alum Leroy Button’s experience as a student and his successful transition into the film industry.
View this post on Instagram
Leroy graduated with a Diploma of Screen and Media in Filmmaking in 2017 and immediately landed a job at Panavision. He now works as a camera operator, 1st AC, and editor at XM2 Pursuit which has led him to working behind the scenes and as a drone camera operator on films such as Aquaman, Dora: The Lost City of Gold and more recently Fast & Furious 9, season 3 of Westworld, as well as Mission: Impossible 7.
The industry readiness has been proven by the City of Gold Coast and Village Roadshow Studios, both being headquarters to global blockbuster productions including Aquaman, Thor: Ragnarok, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Kong: Skull Island, and Baz Luhrman’s upcoming Elvis biopic. Additionally, all of these blockbuster film productions employed various NYFA Australia students, alumni and faculty.
“It was an honor to have Chargé d’Affaires Michael Goldman and Consul General Sharon Hudson-Dean visit NYFA Australia and our production studio campus at Village Roadshow Studios,” says NYFA Australia CEO, Elle Bailey. “The Australian Film Industry has a vibrant future with many domestic and international productions slated for the next several years. We’re thrilled to be able to offer our students the hands-on training and industry exposure needed, to support their desired transition into the industry following graduation. Leroy Button’s professional journey is a prime example of what can be achieved when you pair skills learned, with talent and perseverance.”
NYFA Australia students learn by doing in a real-world training environment, learning from working industry professionals and accessing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. If you are interested in becoming a NYFA Australia student, please visit: NYFA.edu.au and complete an inquiry form here.