The World on Screen

An extraordinary year has required an extraordinary effort from staff and students alike. As our face-to-face learning transitioned to virtual classrooms, studios and workplaces, we all remained nimble and honed our problem-solving skills. Both our teaching and learning styles were adapted so that we were able to continue seamless delivery, and really make the most of our new digital world and some of the incredible digital tools we have at our disposal. Some of the innovations that have been introduced include:

The EOY Exhibition VIRTUAL

We are excited to present our first Virtual Exhibition in 2020. A huge amount of research has gone into the delivery of our gallery spaces this year, and we hope that the virtual experience is one that makes the most of both our digital medium and the flexibility that a world without architectural or financial limitations affords.

The Vir tual Print Lab

The Virtual Print Lab was established in March 2020. With significant help from our technicians, one of our Epson P800s was relocated to ‘home/work’ and this has enabled live printing with our newest cohort of Certificate IV students and continued print outcomes for our February group. The use of job sheets to instruct the print technician (teacher) ensures that students have continued to make informed choices about their print outcomes. Prints have been meaningfully evaluated using scans of prints together with one on one discussions during class time.

© Anneliese Henjak

Vir tual Studios

We used break-out spaces to great effect through our folio production units. Students were allocated their own ‘studio’ which teaching staff could then visit and assist live as the students shot for their final folio. We were also able to assist with post-production through this studio environment. Teachers remained active in the space for the duration of the class, and students were free to come and go as they needed, simply requesting a studio visit at key moments in production. ‘Using the virtual studio this semester has been paramount to the development and production of my folio project. The virtual studio provided better accessibility to the teachers while shooting and editing images and allowed for direct contact for feedback and guidance.’

R E N E E C O S T E R O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0

The World on Screen…

Vir tual Collaborative Shoots

Throughout the year we have facilitated a number of collaborative virtual shoot experiences for students in both the Certificate IV and the Diploma. Certificate IV students participated in our ‘Potato Head’ shoot making stereoscopic images – one shot on film and the other digital. This activity was conducted using Capture One and a second video stream to allow for live styling. Diploma students took inspiration from the ‘Facetime Vogue’ cover shoot and made Facetime portraits of each other during one of our early Folio classes. This shoot was enormously valuable both in terms of team building and as an exercise in creative thinking.

Image of Cassandra Hogan by Katherine Andrianopoulos Image of Katherine Andrianopoulos by Cassandra Hogan

Vir tual Auction

Our wonderful Diploma cohort ran the annual fundraising auction through Collaborate Ultra this year. Sam Guy and Cass Hogan acted as our auctioneers on the night and the whole team worked very hard to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for all. Folio prints were donated by students along with a whole host of offerings from alumni, staff and our industry partners. Potential purchasers were encouraged to use their microphones for vocal bids, but as with most of our online interactions this year, it was the chat function that was most active pinging with new bids, commiserations and congratulations when the virtual hammer fell. It was a wonderfully festive event and fundraising targets were well exceeded. The class of 2020 is grateful for the support they received on the night.

reVIEW – student run (a casual space to share)

In response to student requests for more social interaction between cohorts, the Diploma students initiated our reVIEW space. Each fortnight the space is hosted by three Diploma students who present their projects and chat casually about their process and experiences with their folio work. Attendees are also invited to share their own work if they wish.

Inaugural ‘Click Trivia’

Ever mindful that we were all missing the casual café catchups, studio sessions and hallway hellos we delivered our first Click Trivia Night. The golden lens was hotly contested and many print prizes were won! It was wonderful to have everyone together in a social setting and really set the tone for the virtual events that we have successfully hosted since.

The World on Screen…

Second Wave Print Studio

As Victoria went into our second lockdown, Second Wave Print Studio built momentum. Mindful of many challenges our students were facing due to the COVID-19 restrictions, both in terms of production and ultimately access to our print facility, we developed a single print folio outcome. Second Wave Print has enabled our Diploma students to send files and receive test prints via mail, consult direct with the print house and receive final folio prints which realise a ‘cut and fold’ magazine style publication. In addition to their own folio prints, each student has received a full collection of ‘mini’ folio prints.

Intensive Projects – RTC

In early July we were cleared to Return To Campus (RTC) to complete assessment tasks based on prescribed technical and emotive imagery. Students were briefed remotely and tasked with researching and completing shoot pre-production. Students worked under pressure to mimic the real-world work environment. This engagement with staff with demonstrable industry practice, guided by industry and federally endorsed units of competency seeks to reinforce the practice-based assessment paradigm.

© Katherine Andrianopoulos © Max Ratzlaff

Of f-site Shoot & Vir tual Review

As part of the Diploma year, students are tasked with building on their acquired knowledge from the Certificate IV. Part of our remit is to teach the students to interpret the brief, ask the right questions and deliver what the clients’ needs are, be it an image for editorial, commercial, advertising, or social media use.

Daylight Food Studios (Cer t IV from home)

The sudden move to remote delivery was indeed a challenge for students and staff, however we had the opportunity to work with the students in the studio, learning about equipment early on in Semester 1 and in the move to remote learning delivered exceptional results.