TAFE Queensland students bring Awards event to life

Hosted by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast, the prestigious black-tie event honoured the best in Australian film and television for 2024.

Behind the scenes, TAFE Queensland students played a pivotal role in bringing the event to life.

Over 30 students from Screen and Media, Photography and Event Management assisted across the 5-day event.

Screen and Media and Photography students were on the ground, capturing the magic of the event while gaining invaluable hands-on experience in a live industry environment.

Event Management students assisted in checking guests in, guiding them to venue locations, taking selfies on their phones against photo walls, and providing roaming event assistance.

Their contributions ensured attendees a seamless experience across the Wednesday evening Industry Awards and the Friday night AACTA Awards.

Film students filmed various events throughout the five-day AACTA program, working closely with AACTA event producers and other volunteers to capture footage of presenters, workshops, and key events.

Photography students were heavily involved in capturing moments from various events across the five-day AACTA program.

Some, like Photography and Digital Imagining (CUA50920) student Bradley Stephenson, were rostered to photograph the prestigious red carpet at the Friday night AACTA Awards event.

“Our teachers support our growth and push us in an encouraging and challenging way, which led to this incredible photography opportunity for my class and me at the AACTA Awards - one of the most insane photoshoots I’ve ever done,” explained Bradley.

“The five-day schedule was intense. We worked from a detailed app that outlined timetables, shot lists, and assignments. We were placed in different locations each day, given briefs, and had just 24 hours to offload and edit our work.”

“Before the red carpet, I focused on behind-the-scenes moments, capturing the event’s energy from a different perspective. In the first hour alone, I shot over 4,500 photos—I went overboard with the camera.”

“But once on the red carpet, everything shifted. From 11:30 AM to 3 PM, it was non-stop action - coordinators managing every movement, pushing people through in quick bursts. It was intense, but the experience was unforgettable.”

“Opportunities like the AACTA Awards have built a huge level of trust, and my TAFE Queensland training prepared me well for the heat of the battle,” said Bradley.

With major stars like Teresa Palmer, Henry Cavill, Phoebe Tonkin, Kitty Flanagan, and Robbie Williams gracing the red carpet, the students got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in a high-pressure, high-profile environment.

TAFE Queensland educators Clint Cure (Gold Coast) and Sonia Bible (Brisbane) were also at the Awards to guide students if they needed assistance while mixing with industry greats.

This collaboration across multiple disciplines is a superb example of how TAFE Queensland integrates real-world experiences into its curriculum, preparing students for careers in the creative industries.

By working alongside industry professionals at one of Australia’s most high-profile entertainment events, students gained firsthand exposure to the fast-paced world of film, television, and event production, setting them up for future success in their chosen fields.

Photo credit: Nicola Poznanovich Photography