about us

Many Open Channel graduates have gone on to forge careers in the screen industry.

		2011
		Meleesha Bardolia is completing a Certificate III in Media (filmmaking) in 2011, and undertook a placement as part of her studies alongside Production Sound Mixer Colin Jones (Boom Operator on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Lost) on the ABC Television Series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
		2010
		Rebecca Chapman completed a second year film student at Deakin University and volunteered for C31 before enrolling in Julie Belle's Art Department Foundation short course at Open Channel. During her accreditation she gained an Art Department attachment to Simon Wincer's feature film, The Cup, starring Stephen Curry.
		Cert III Doco 2010 graduate Cat Graue's graduate short film Paperback Rehab was accepted into the World of Women film festival in Sydney (and for the travelling festival they hold around Australia), and won Best Tertiary Documentary in the 2011 ATOM Awards. Cat is currently working full time for the ABC.
		2009
		John Tait is a former American footballer who played for the Chicago Bears in the American NFL. In 2009, John visited Australia to study film at Open Channel, after which he returned to the States to further his studies in Film. John has since Directed and Produced a number of short films. During John's study he also production assisted on the Stuart Mannion-directed short film, Crack.
		Keith Bottomley Keith completed Open Channel's Location Sound Recording short course in 2009 after finishing a degree in sound in NSW. He has clearly demonstrated a commitment to building a career in location sound by working on over 30 productions including short films, series, commercials and documentaries, including City of the Damned, Let Me Love You (ABC pilot), The Zombie Monologues, and a Ribena commercial. In mid-2010 he undertook a professional attachment on the feature film The Killer Elite starring Clive Owen, Jason Statham and Robert de Niro. This was brokered by Open Channel.
		Angela Lee Angela completed the Production Management short course, and added an accreditation option which involved work as Production Co-ordinator on the Dee McLachlan feature film 'Eliminated'. Angela has also worked with Open Channel's Supervising Producer, Marc Gracie, as Line Producer on the 2009 Raw Nerve series of short films (funded by Screen Australia). Angela is pursuing a career as an independent film Producer.
		Kishani Selvadurai Since commencing a Certificate III in Media program tailored to her interests in post production and camera, Kishani Selvadurai has worked on a number of productions as a camera attachment as part of her studies, and also undertaken an industry attachment to Peter Worland on the ABC television comedy series, Lowdown. The range of supervised activities Kishani carried out as part of her workplace based training agreement included data transference, syncing audio and video tracks, labelling clips, FCP project management, compiling outtakes for assembly, organising audio files, preparing DVD rushes for the day, preparing print takes for screening. Kishani says "I had a brilliant time working with Peter and meeting people who worked at Deluxe (Post Production Company). It provided me with insight into what else is possible in post production."
		2008
		Britta Drevermann Since completing her Certificate III in Screen at Open Channel, Britta has developed her career as an Assistant Editor, working on a number of shorts and recently gaining an Editor's Attachment position with Circe Films on a feature length documentary, The Triangle Wars' - the story of the battle being waged between local government, big business and the community over the development of a tiny sliver of crown land - the St Kilda Triangle site. Britta's career goal is to work as an Editor on drama and documentary films. Britta's student film was also screened as part of the Adelaide Short Film Festival.
		Cecilia Condon I completed my Certificate III course in documentary at Open Channel in 2008. After leaving I worked on a VCA short film titled Swings and Roundabouts, and then through the connections I had made with tutors during my Open Channel course found a work opportunity with the production company December Films. I’ve since worked in the production department of December Films on shows including the feature length documentary 'The Extroadinary Tales of William Buckley', and the upcoming science documentary' Immortal'. I’m loving the work, and my time at Open Channel really helped open the doors for me.
		2007
		Adriano Engo Working in the Phillippines as a videographer, Adriano sought to increase his skills in the Television Production Certificate III in Screen in 2007, working on a mini-series parody 'Stay Away' for Channel 31. After completing his course, Adriano worked as camera and studio assistant on number of shows for C31 including In the 'Bike Lane', 'Room to Grow', and 'in Melbourne Tonight', as well as other corporate video work. Adriano continues to develop his skills as a television camera operator.
		Mikael Hattingh Mikael completed an accredited course in Screenwriting in 2007, writing the feature script 'Dark Horse', before continuing his studies at SAE Melbourne, focussing on Directing for the Screen.
		Sonya Everard Seeking a career change from IT, Sonya completed a Television Production Certificate III in Screen in 2007, and also a range of short course in Assistant Directing, Documentary Screenwriting, Presenting and Screen Business at Open Channel. Since graduating, Sonya has produced a pilot for a television program In the Bike Lane, and Assistant Directed on a number of screen productions including Weekly G, Vanished, Transformation, and Push Up. Sonya enjoys travel, and continues to develop her own projects for the big and small screen an an Independent Producer.
		Vivien Mason Vivien completed Open Channel's Script Supervising/Continuity course with Katherine Fry ('Romulus, My Father') in 2008. Over the next year she worked on a whole range of voluntary and professional short films, before seeking accreditation on the course which involved industry placement as Script Supervisor on the feature film, 'Surviving Georgia' (directed by Kate Whitbread, and starring Shane Jacobson and Pia Miranda).
		2006
		Stephanie Lee Worked on shorts, doing sound, editing, AD, writing, Worked as AD on feature 'Remembering Nigel', Making short docos for Ch.31 book review show 'Blurb' "Loved every minute of it"
		2005
		Kirsten Green Worked as a full Time Focus Puller. Short listed for funding, Currently writing her next film. "The course coordinator did a fabulous job. The course personally connected all the dots, built my confidence and pushed me into action… the month mentorship was really amazing. I finished the course in Oct, wrote and made a film and screened it in Jan the next year..."
		Terry Dentry Producer at Scaramouche Animation Studio. Specialising in animated documentaries, working on two feature documentaries in production, Neuropolis a 3D exploration into the recent breakthroughs in neuroscience (being produced by the NFB Canada), and eResearch an Australian exploration into the research frontiers using exabytes of data. "It was great. A good exposure to every aspect of film making."
		Alice Daly Wrote, Directed and Produced Raw Nerve funded film – 'A woman’s Work', Edited compilation DVD’s for Open Channel, "I had a great time. I thought the teachers were really good. Although the organisation clearly suffered from insufficient funds"
		Michael Barrett Working at 3AW sport "Really enjoyed it. It was great the teachers had so much industry experience. It was a shame I couldn't get more out of it in the end, due to my work commitments"
		Robert Langbridge Obtained a traineeship with WIN News, Currently writing future projects "I enjoyed it and learned a lot. I've applied a lot of the stuff I learned at Open Channel in what I was doing at WIN News, and in photography work I've done"
		2004
		Josh Macdonald Worked as grip on 'Home and Away' for 3 months, made a short film 'Shock', crewing  on short films. "Really,  really  enjoyed it. I can't say a bad thing about it. The teachers were all excellent"
		Andrew Mitchell Freelance Editor predominately based with Network 10 & One HD. "Not only did Open Channel give me an insight into the film and television industry but more importantly a solid foundation on which i was able to build a upon..."
		Michel Chaptini Currently studying photography, DOP on docos, Worked on doco with Dennis Smith "It was good. I made some valuable contacts. But the course was too compressed, couldn't get anything more than a very basic experience"
		2003
		Paul Barker Worked as an AD on several short films and shot a documentary about oysters, Freelance cablehand, camera assistant, camera operator on major sporting events in Victoria: Commonwealth Games, AFL, World Swimming Champs, Australian Open Tennis, World Moto GP, etc., Currently freelance cablehand, camera assistant and camera operator for all the Aussie channels and several international broadcasters. “OC Training helped me to further my skills and introduced me to several people who are still work colleagues and damn good friends within the industry”
		Callum Cooper Accepted into VCA Animation course and Royal College of Art London, Worked as an animator on TVCs and shorts, Formed his own production company, Writing a feature "Good that the lecturers are people working in the industry… "
		Katie Weston Worked on short films as Director, 1st AD, 2nd AD and Acting for Channel 9 and ABC. Was the face of the French Film Festival for Palace Films. Freelance videographer & editor for music videos and showreels. Further study at the VCA, with a Bachelor of Music Composition and has now formed own freelance company 'Katie Weston Music', composing music for animations, shorts, features, television and commercial advertising through Level 2 Music, Melbourne. "The course was hands-on fun. Crewing on each others sets was a great experience".
		Marrianne Wallace-Crabbe Worked on Interractive ABC annimation series, Worked on a documentary on Ned Kelly. Currently a freelance Producer “Inspiring, good networking opportunities”
		Alastair Duncan Freelancer, worked on a promotional ad and OH&S ad for Metro Ashphalt, Write Direct own short films "I was really happy with it. I didn't do much after the course, but 4 years later I was able to make the promotional ad using the skills I learned at Open Channel"
		Nicholas Burdon Further study at JMC – television course, Gaffer on independent feature 'Welcome Stranger', Assistant sound on independent feature 'Remembering Nigel', Producer/ director on Ch.31 '1700' and morning show. Made some corporate videos "I was never dissatisfied with the course. The staff and teachers were all excellent - their experience really came through in class…they were good for giving a realistic, down-to-earth view of the industry, with regards to things like the strange and long hours you work in the industry."
		Dean Gunera Further study RMIT film & TV course, Works at JB Hi Fi "I loved it. It was definitely one of the best places I studied at - the small classes and emphasis on hands-on training was much better than the other places…"
		Dimitar Karkaliev Further study at AFTRS short courses, Worked on reality TV show 'Models & Millionaires' for Foxtel, Worked on doco: 'Mind, Body & Soul', Production Manager at ACE Entertainment. Has also been working as a freelance director on music videos and a color grader and VFX supervisor on two films. "Studying at Open Channel was one of the best things I could have done, I recommend this course to anyone that wants to kick start there career in filmmaking."
		2002
		William Anderson Went on to make several short films, Currently work as a Broadcast Operator for Dubsat "I dropped out of a course at Latrobe because it was too theoretical. Open Channel is great because it concentrates on the practical side of things, which is the most important stuff"
		Virginia Murray Completed television internship at W.C.N.Y, a P.B.S Station in New York, Work at Stuart Broadcasting, Toronto Canada as a vision switcher/audio/ tape operator, Freelanced at Network Ten Melbourne as a studio camera operator and autocue operator, Currently fulltime Directors Assistant at Network Ten Melbourne working on 'Ten News', 'GMA with Bert Newton', '9am with David and Kim', 'The Panel', 'Before the Game' and the 'Fifth Quarter'. “I still look back on my time at Open Channel very fondly. I thoroughly enjoyed completing the Certificate IV in Digital Production. I hope Open Channel continues to provide such great training to future students.”
		Steve Jablonski Graduated VCA Masters in Narrative, Various assisting in gripping, gaffing, lighting. Gaffing on feature 'Corroboree', Music videos for Dork Film. "A good introduction to filmmaking. Enabled me to make contacts that are still beneficial to this day"
		James Hebbard Has been working full time as a television editor in Toronto, Canada. Has worked on many shows including 'Kenny Vs. Spenny' which can be seen in Australia on the Comedy Channel, Battlefield Mysteries which airs on ABC and is currently working on 'Greatest Tank Battles' which will air on Discovery International. "The OpenChannel course was a great! It was there that I really fell in love with editing and through the connections I made there I got my first paying editing gig! Coincidence?"
		2001
		Sky Davies Since completing her training with Open Channel, Sky Davies has become one of Melbroune’s busiest Assistant Camera technicians, working as Clapper Loader (2nd AC) on projects including ‘Where The Wild Things Are’, ‘Home Song Stories’, ‘Charlotte’s Web’, ‘Animal Kingdom’ and many commercials, and as Focus Puller (1st Assistant Camera) on projects including ‘Balibo’, ‘Kin’ and various documentaries.
		Ceinwen Berry  Study Editing at AFTRS, Currently a freelance editor, edited shorts, ads & corporate, Assistant editor on features 'Hating Alison Ashley' and 'Newcastle' A good foundation. It encompasses all areas and opens your eyes to the complex areas of specialisation"
		Nicki Johnson  Victorian College of Arts – Visual Effects stream, Freelanced as an editor, graphics, worked as an animator for 'Rove Live', Directed “Raw Nerve” project – 'Longest Journey' 2006, Attachment in the Visual Effects/Editing Dept – 'Where the Wild Things Are' 2006. Was accepted into the MA Documentary Editing program at AFTRS. "I got a lot of out of studying at Open Channel, I really enjoyed the intense, immersive experience.”
		Dani Raulli Full time editor, Mainly documentaries for ABC and SBS, “Course was Awesome"
		2000
		Kim Beamish Further study at VCA Documentary, Writer, Director, Producer of doco Just Punishment on ABC. "Without Open Channel I wouldn't be where I am today, working as a media producer" Bearcase, Media Producer with the ANU
		Steve Howard  Made short films, Worked on a 2hr doco on Bathurst. Worked on 'Blokesworld', 'Bread TV', 'The Wedge'. Currently got a production attachment on a feature. "It was a necessary step"
		John O’Neil Worked as an Editor at RTV/Lifestyle Media on the following programs; Tony Barber's 'Break-away' (Travel Show), 'You Must Remember This' (Interview Show), 'Break-Away South Africa' (Travel Show), 'Break-Away Vienna' (Travel Show), 'Young Australians' (Youth Interview Show), TVCs/Promos, Worked as an Editor and Producer on programs for C31/Foxtel/Channel 9, Victorian Government, etc.  (Winner of 2 Antenna Awards), Currently, works as an Editor/Colourist at WTFN Entertainment on the following programs: 'Coxy's Big Break' - Channel 7 Melbourne, 'On Display' - Channel 9 Melbourne, 'Talk to the Animals' - 9 Network, 'Shopping for Love' - 9 Network, International Editions of 'Coxy's Big Break', 'Talk to the Animals' and 'Shopping for Love'. "Great. I learned a lot, and all that knowledge is still there"
		1999
		Jonathon Zoch Various crewing roles: Camera Assistant, camera operator. Now runs own Production Company. “Open Channel provides the sort of experience where you get as much as or as little out of it as you choose. It gave me the confidence to take the next step in the industry, I don't have any doubt about that"
		1998
		Simon Ozolins Volunteered on short films in camera department, worked as a Camera Assistant on several short films, TVCs and currently work as a DOP on features, television and TVC’s. “Without the knowledge I picked up on the Open channel course I probably wouldn't have been able to cope as well as I did on a real film set"
		Cormac Lally Worked as editor and camera operator, taught Final Cut Pro at training organizations, and is currently working on online video for Fairfax, The Age and working on a doco of homeless world cup for Big Issue. "Open Channel has fantastic resources and gave me opportunities I wouldn't have had anywhere else. There's no one else in Melbourne with that same community-based spirit that can offer support and advice like Open Channel"
		Sarah Corneliuson Worked as a boom operator at ABC, Ch.10, Ch.9., Worked as a freelance editor. “Open Channel is really worthwhile. It gave me a good overview of the industry and made it clear what I wanted to do"
		Tim Dean Tim is a versatile filmmaker who has had success at film festivals including Tropfest, Palm Springs and Rotterdam. Tim graduated from the VCA Film School in 2004 winning several awards including best director. He has made the progression to features with several projects in development. "Open Channel was the perfect introduction to the film/TV industry."
		1995
		Beth Frey Went on to work as independent producer forming a successful production company. Currently producing several documentaries for SBS, nominated for AFI awards and winner of several short film festivals. “The course provided me with an overview of the industry and helped me to clarify my area of expertise…  the tutors were great.”