Award-winning animation graduate levels up her career

"I decided to study screen and media because I saw it as a great option. The course looks like something from the future, and I could see how it would boost my career and skills," explained Vino.

The talented creative graduate finished her Diploma of Screen and Media (CUA51015), leaving with the skills to be an animator she was seeking. She also recently won an animated short film award.

Helping Vino achieve her goal of becoming an animator was TAFE Queensland's facilities and equipment that enabled her to complete coursework quickly under the guidance of teachers from the industry.

"The computers in the classrooms are lightning-fast, and my teachers are amazing! Super friendly and always there to help out. My main teacher, Gerard Cosgrove, is a rockstar, and when I'd finished my first animation version and showed it to him, he gave me loads of great advice," she said.

Advice that paid off, with Vino entering and winning Best Direction at the FEEDBACK Animation Film & Screenplay Festival 2022 for her Animated Short Film, Sunshine Healing, a movie she wrote, animated and produced music and visual effects.

She also achieved Official Selection for FEEDBACK Animation Film & Screenplay Festival 2022, Golden Short Film Festival 2022 and Geneve Awards 2023 Best Animation Category.

"The film is about the two-plus years that the pandemic cast a shadow on our lives. It captures how we overcame our fears and pushed through our fatigue with the love and optimism we found in each other," said Vino.

“I'd like to acknowledge my producer, Michael Lai, for his significant contributions to our project's success. Michael's dedication and expertise were crucial to our achievements.”

“He helped me find the right festival and did all the submissions through FilmFreeway. Winning felt incredible, just pure joy and happiness. I was over the moon!"

Vino also credits her TAFE Queensland training for giving her the skills to boost her career, win the award and have the confidence to take her career as an animator to the next level.

"Before this course, I'd always wanted to animate but needed to figure out where to start. I'd videos online and even paid for an online course, but it felt scattered."

"Coming to TAFE Queensland gave me a structured, step-by-step approach to learning animation, and I was finally able to make the animation I'd been dreaming of."

Since completing her diploma, she's decided to use her skills, experience and confidence to continue her education and pursue a Master of Design at university.

"I'm going to be a motion graphic designer and animator. That's where I see myself heading, and in five to ten years, I'll still be deep in the animation game. Hopefully, I'll have made a name for myself in the field."

Vino recommends studying the Diploma of Screen and Media to anyone into animation, visual effects, or anything moving image related.

"The courses are super practical and set you up nicely for future work. And the teachers? They're just fantastic. Plus, the facilities are top-notch."

"TAFE Queensland does a great job of combining theory and practical. We had presentations by our teachers on a topic before going and bringing it to life."

"I enjoyed learning new skills and getting my hands-on new tools to create things I've never even dreamed of making."

"I feel way more confident now. It's like I've unlocked a whole new level of skills, especially in animation and filmmaking. I recommend this course to anyone wanting a career in film, television, games industry, and screen and media industries," concluded Vino.