Film & TV at North Sydney TAFE
David King, a teacher at the North Sydney TAFE, in Film and Television, shows us around the facilities at the TAFE, including the control booth. We chat to some of the students about the things they learn, including audio, camera, producing and direction.
He talks about the flexibility of studying the course.
David King has been working in the television industry since 1978 when he studied film and television at TAFE, and then went on to an apprenticeship at TCN Nine working as a CCU operator and then Technical Director.
After running his own production company for 18 years in rural NSW making commercials and corporate videos, David began teaching part time at a local TAFE. In 2002 he returned to Sydney to take up full time teaching at North Sydney TAFE
About the course:
North Sydney TAFE Film and Television studies have been offered at North Sydney TAFE since 1967 (51years) making them the longest running film and tv training organisation in the state.
After acquiring a $6 million grant to fund new equipment in 2007, upgrading all the studio and control room facilities to digital high definition capabilities, the collage is at the forefront of technology in the area of film and tv, and ensuring the students have the most up-to-date skills when they enter the workforce.
The Film, TV and Music department has partnerships with industry partners such as Foxtel, to discuss what skills are needed in the industry and tailor courses suited to these requirements.
They also support students in finding employment after their studies. The department are also involved in a new venture to offer workplace training for staff already working within television, using their familiar environment and facilities. This has so far been done at SBS and the ABC.
2009 will see the introduction of a new structure of the courses, encompassing film, television and music production, with approximately 350 students graduating each year across the different specialisations.
North Sydney TAFE is the only one of its kind with facilities and associations such as this, and offers students the opportunity to learn their skills at a fraction of the cost of private colleges which offer courses costing up to $20,000 per year.