E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S F E AT U R E
JULIAN HEWITT, MEDIA ARTS LAWYERS
Famous G E T ST U DY I N G DA R L S
BEN SUTTON, PERFORMER
PAUL O’CONNOR, AURELIO COSTARELLA
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
COLLEGE BOUND
Known For: Having a cool campus down in Freo and being a Catholic higher education provider. FYI: Law, health science and nursing are popular courses chosen at Notre Dame. Notre Dame also has a number of partner universities overseas (Boston College in America is one of them) and in Broome and Sydney. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus, off campus (Broome only). More Info: nd.edu.au
Better Shop Around If there are any words of wisdom we can impart, it’s to always shop around! Three years of your life and a likely HECS-HELP debt, means you’re going to want to compare apples to apples and check out who’s lecturing, the course structures, the campus and its location - to work out the best option for YOU. Here’s a snapshot of the universities and institutes on offer.
ACAE Known For: Awesome hospitality and tourism training along with business and management courses. FYI: They’ve got purpose built training facilities with commercial kitchens, hotel reception, restaurant, bar as well as library, cafe, IT rooms and student services. Study Options: Full time, on campus. More Info: acae.edu.au
CENTRAL INSTITUTE Known For: Fashion courses, beauty therapy and massage therapy courses, sport and education courses, music industry skills courses. FYI: Campuses are centrally located. They’ve got apprenticeships, traineeships and customised training programs on offer, providing any number of alternatives to help students forge powerful careers. Study Options: Full time, part time, flexible. More Info: central.wa.edu.au
CHALLENGER INSTITUTE Known For: Practical, hands-on learning in a variety of expansive industries highly relative to West Australians such as oil and gas, building and automotive tech, IT and maritime studies. FYI: Challenger has multiple campuses throughout Perth, Freo and WA. If you’re interested in doing an apprenticeship, this could be the place to check out. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus. More Info: challenger.wa.edu.au
EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY (ECU)
CURTIN UNIVERSITY Known For: Its impeccable reputation for technical education, one helluva tavern, hands-on courses in architecture, fashion, design and more. FYI: Main campus is in Bentley but they do have campuses in Kalgoorlie, Margaret River, Northam, Singapore, Sydney and more. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus, off campus. More Info: curtin.edu.au
Known For: Excellent research, hands-on teaching and breaking down barriers that restrict access to education. FYI: Better known as ECU, it has two campuses – Mt Lawley and Joondalup. The Joondalup campus has a multi-million dollar sport and fitness centre and an outdoor cinema in the summer months. There’s also on campus accommodation. ECU has a great rep for the arts – WAAPA (Western Australian Academy Of Performing Arts) is located on their Mt Lawley campus. Study Options: Full time, part time, on or off campus. More Info: ecu.edu.au
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (UWA) Known For: Being one of the world’s top-ranked universities, offering top notch degrees in medicine, law, finance and engineering. Boasts one of the most historic and beautiful campuses in Australia. FYI: They’ve got a bunch of residential colleges for those who want to live on campus. If you’re looking to do a specialist type course, medicine or law for example, you’re going to have to do an undergraduate degree first. They’ve got four undergrad degrees in areas of sciences, arts, business and design which are available for mid-year entry. Check out their open day coming up. Study Options: Full time, part time, off campus, on campus. More Info: uwa.edu.au
WA ACADEMY Known For: Certificates, courses, fully accredited qualifications and workshops in beauty, massage, nails, makeup, business and hairdressing. WA Academy employs passionate lecturers with expertise and up to date knowledge of their specific industry to deliver qualifications. FYI: They’re located on Albany Highway and have state-of-the-art training facilities and equipment to learn your chosen career. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus. More Info: waacademy.com
WAAPA MURDOCH UNIVERSITY Known For: Vet science, marine biology courses, chiropractic care to indigenous communities, awesome sports science performance lab and law moot court. FYI: It has over 22,000 students and 2,000 staff from across 90 different countries. There are seven undergraduate degrees with over 80 majors, and around 100 postgraduate courses across a range of disciplines including law, veterinary science, teaching, psychology, business and nursing. Study Options: Full time, part time, on campus and off campus. Students also have access to lecture recordings for most courses on a 24-hour basis. More info: murdoch.edu.au.
SAE INSTITUTE Known For: Leading the way in audio, film and tech education. FYI: SAE is all about audio, film, design and games, covering all aspects of audio engineering, live sound, post-production, mixing, acoustics, filmmaking, game design, animation and more. Their partner school QANTM is also worth looking into if you’re into any of the SAE courses on offer. Study Options: Flexible, on campus, off campus. More Info: sae.edu / qantm.com.au 45
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Known For: Being one of Australia’s most renowned arts schools (with illustrious alumni such as Hugh Jackman, Frances O’Connor and Tim Minchin) with courses covering all aspects of performing arts costume design, acting, musical theatre, dance, music, broadcasting and arts management. FYI: Courses are rigorous and many require auditions and/or interviews as part of the application process. Teachers emphasise support, creativity and creating an environment conducive to both. WAAPA puts on over 300 public performances a year at a range of venues. Study Options: Full time. Hardcore. More Info: waapa.ecu.edu.au
WCIT Known For: Industry-led training. FYI: West Coast Institute Of Training (WCIT) is the premier large training provider in Perth’s northern suburbs, with campuses in Joondalup, Clarkson and Wangara. As well as offering exceptional education and training in the areas of commerce and technology, health, education, social sciences, hospitality, culinary arts and trades, the Institute is partnered with the WA Police to create an International Academy Of Law Enforcement And Security. Study Options: Full time, part time, off campus, on campus. More Info: wcit.wa.edu.au
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
FAMOUS SHARRON
SAM LONGLEY
Get Studying Darls
The comedy improv show, Famous Sharron’s The Fame Game has been a longstanding fixture at Perth’s annual Fringe World. Winning ‘Best Local Comedy’ at Fringe World ACTOR / COMEDIAN / FOUNDER 2012, followed by Famous Sharron hosting the Fringe World Awards at last years OF THE BIG HOOHAA event, the production returns as part of the 2014 program. Studied: Theatre Arts at Murdoch University But Famous Sharron isn’t solely just about Sharron entertaining us with her excessive use of the word ‘darl’ - there’s also her fabulous Famettes starring Andrea Gibbs, Sean Walsh and Sam Longley - with Walsh and Longley beginning their careers studying at WAAPA and Murdoch Uni respectively.
What year did you graduate? I didn’t graduate. Half way through my course I started getting acting work and realised that I had already achieved what I had set out to do, get work as an actor. What made you choose theatre studies at Murdoch? My stepmother worked there and encouraged me to go. I didn’t look around much at other courses, which I would advise everyone to do. Murdoch was the closest university to my house so it kinda made sense as far as my carbon footprint went. What aspects of the course do you remember most? Contact improvisation. It was such a dancers exercise that I found it hilarious rolling around on the floor with other non-dancers. I already had a background in improvisation and understood the lessons it was trying to teach us, so I didn’t find it enjoyable at all. I think the term I would use is “a complete wank”. You went on to train in the US after your studies at Murdoch. How important was this stint overseas in terms of advancing your career? This was a huge step for me. I got to learn stuff that nobody in Perth could teach me. I was able to see a lot of improv comedy that was not happening in Australia at the time. It’s what inspired me to create The Big HooHaa, now in its 12th year as Perth’s premiere improv comedy show. Also it doesn’t matter how hard you work in Perth, people will always respect the two years you worked overseas far more. We have no confidence in what Perth offers. We need to change that. What’s been your career highlight to date? Filming the Spike Jonze movie Where The Wild Things Are was huge (Longley performed as Ira). So freaking amazing to work on such a big and expensive project, it was awe inspiring. However, when I’m onstage with fellow Perth actors, whether it be improv comedy or a local scripted show, and the audience are laughing right along with us - that’s what it’s all about - connecting with an audience. And every time that happens, it is a career highlight.
The Fame Game starring Famous Sharron aka Bonnie Davies (centre), Sean Walsh (left), Sam Longley (front), Andrea Gibbs (right).
SEAN WALSH PERFORMER / COMEDIAN Studied: Arts Management at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) at Edith Cowan University (ECU). When did you graduate? Graduation is such as a loose term... Give us a quick overview of Famous Sharron’s The Fame Game. Sharron is the most famous woman on the planet and lends her tremendous celebrity clout to help out somewhat famous Perthonalities conquer the world. Plus some lucky punters might find themselves rocketing towards stardom. It only takes a touch of Sharron magic... Any surprises in comparison to the show at Fringe last year? Lycra. A lot of Lycra. How much prep goes into preparing in the lead up to Fringe? Heaps; we drink at least three lattes a day. There’s at least two hours of Facebooking a week and brushing up on Sharron’s fame tips. If I could be half as famous as her, I’d be bigger than Brangelina. And the Bedazzler got a workout too! Oh, and we also spent quite a few hours developing the show. When you think back to your time studying, what aspects of the course have helped you in your career? 43
Looking over your biography, how does working on a production like Famous Sharron compare to the likes of the more serious theatre work you’ve done, like Shakespeare? It’s all about the fun you have with the audience. Shakespeare would have loved Famous Sharron. She is hilarious, intelligent and one of the common people and yet she has risen to rub shoulders with the elite. If Famous Sharron had an identical twin brother and fell in love with a noble man during a bear-baiting incident, she could totes be in one of his plays. Me, I love it all.
What advice do you have for those thinking of embarking on a similar path? You have to absolutely love performing, that’s the only way to survive in this business. Accept that you won’t make a ton of money or become a movie star or be able to put your kids through university, and you’ll be fine. Every second week I seriously contemplate packing it all in and getting a 9-5 job with a stable income and life insurance. Then Famous Sharron calls and says we are playing Fringe World in Perth AND the New Zealand Fringe Festival and I’m all, “sheet yeah bro!” What other productions are you involved in? The Big HooHaa continues to perform every Saturday night at Lazy Susan’s, upstairs at The Brisbane Hotel. I’m also about to go on tour to the US with a great show, The Adventures Of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer. I’m also working on my tax. You should only enter the performing arts world if.... You are a Sagittarian with a slightly inclination towards masochism and body paint. Is there anything else you would like to tell us? Go and see more Perth shows. Some of them are world class. Famous Sharron’s The Fame Game at Fringe World 2014 runs from January 29 to February 3 at Casa Mondo, The Pleasure Garden, Northbridge. Tickets on sale from fringeworld.com.au. The Big Hoohaa runs every Saturday night at Lazy Susan’s Comedy Den at the Brisbane Hotel. Tickets on sale via ticketek. You can study a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama over three years full-time or the part-time equivalent at Murdoch’s South Street campus. For more info head to: www.murdoch.edu.au.
Learning how to read; that and understanding what people who administrate the arts have to go through a lot of hard work and dealing with high maintenance performers. That’s why I became an actor... wait a second... Have people from uni become your peers in the industry? A few, but I think most of them were quite intelligent and actually got real jobs. What other productions are you involved in? We’re pretty committed to conquering the world, but in the meantime I can occasionally be seen at Lazy Susan’s Comedy Den at The Brisbane Hotel with The Big HooHaa! There’s also a trip to the New Zealand Fringe Festival in the pipeline, plus a couple of fabulous web series that are due for release next year. What’s your bread and butter work as an actor? I’m currently getting into shape for The Fame Game so I’ve given up bread AND butter - they’re pure carbs and fat. I’m just not quite sure what shape I’m going for yet. But when I’m not scoffing salmon and eggs for breakfast I have a myriad of different things to keep the wolves from the door, like voice-overs, event management, corporate role-play and girls with baskets and red hoods. What advice do you have for those thinking of embarking on a similar path? I would strongly advise coming to see The Fame Game at Fringe World 2014 because you’ll get some fantastic tips on how to get noticed. I don’t want to give too much away, but don’t be surprised if you get mobbed by admirers when you leave the show. If that still doesn’t work, then go see as much live performance as you can, meet like-minded people and
Sean Walsh (in the middle)
just go for it. Be prepared to live without things, like food and beer for a bit while you’re trying to establish yourself. And don’t wait for the phone to ring - you could be waiting a while. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? On a yacht in the Mediterranean - thanks to Sharron!
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WAAPA offers the only full-time undergraduate Arts Management course in Australasia. It’s a three-year full time course held on the Mt Lawley campus. For more info head to: www.waapa.ecu.edu.au.
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
PAUL O’CONNOR
to improve my skills and being taught to not look at the obvious to make an idea come to life, to be taught to be as creative as you can be, has shaped my way of approaching work. I often say university is where you grow and learn just as much about yourself as the course you are majoring in.
BRAND MANAGER, AURELIO COSTARELLA
What does a typical day at work entail? I look after all aspects of media, PR and wholesale for the company. Most days I’m choosing clothes for a celebrity appearance or a magazine editorial and organising the next event or sales trip somewhere in the world. Currently I have the WA Museum show on and then the Royal Botanic Runway Parade in Melbourne (January 30) and our showings in Paris (February) then Australian Fashion Week (April) will become the next focus.
Studied: Visual Arts at Curtin University
Living An Artistic Life Paul O’Connor has been working as the brand manager for designer fashion label, Aurelio Costarella since 2005, but his career path, which began after completing a Visual Arts degree, majoring in textiles, has take him down many creative paths. When you chose to study Visual Arts at Curtin Uni, did you have a vision of what you wanted to do, or has your career path been more organic? Growing up, I always loved the arts. I went through the Applecross Special Arts program. Originally I enrolled in graphics at Curtin but quickly changed to Visual Arts, which better suited my approach to creativity. When I graduated I knew I wanted to live an artistic life, but wasn’t sure what that meant in the real world… it has been a very frenetic but cyclic journey. Have your classmates at uni become your peers in the industry? Due to my many roles over the years, I have crossed paths with fellow graduates along the way. With the diversity of skills learnt in my course, I have taken several paths in my career - as an artist, lecturer, arts editor, stylist, working in the Public Arts program, creative director for advertising campaigns, and now brand manager for Aurelio Costarella; they all fit under a broad creative umbrella. When you think back to your time studying... what aspects of the course really helped you in your job today? Being taught by professional artists and being surrounded by a mix of ages and cultures broadened my mind and approach to learning. Being challenged
MICHELLE OSBORNE GAMES DESIGNER, ENTROPIC ENTERTAINMENT Teaches: Games Design at SAE Institute Australia
Breaking Archetypes Michelle Osborne is one of a few females successfully working in the gaming industry. Apart from being a full time lecturer in Games Design at Perth’s SAE, she also runs her own gaming business, Entropic Entertainment. She developed the game, Brave Kingdom available on Google Play. Give us an overview of your career to date. I taught at TAFE for three years, covering programming and database design, among other things. But in that time I started up a games company, Entropic Entertainment, through which I developed games in what little time I had spare and release them on the side. I taught 3D modelling and Games Design briefly at a youth film school and then made my way to SAE. It’s certainly been hectic, as I’m only 22. But I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing. Tell us a little about the Games Design course at SAE. Well contrary to the name, it’s very programming orientated (which is wonderful for me). We take the students through logic and mathematics, basic scripting and design in the early stages. But then later on, we move to a more creative approach, allowing the students to build a game that they really want to exist. ‘Psychology of Play’, ‘Level Design’ and the finer points of scripting and game creation are what allow the students to really make it their own. 41
You created the game, Brave Kingdom. Please tell us about that. Brave Kingdom was quite an exciting title to work on. It was the first 3D open RPG for smart phone platforms. I actually made the first version while I was in hospital after an accident. It’s a game where the player can do it the way they want. There are no restrictive rules so characters can do quests, collect weapons and armour, learn magic, catch pets, make items and find treasure completely as they please. What skills do you need to make it in the gaming business? Most importantly - determination. People build something to a point and then stop and lose interest. Maybe they think learning a programming language is too difficult or maybe they are beaten down by people online not liking something they made. Determination and the ability to compromise when something doesn’t particularly go as planned. Why is there a lack of females in the gaming world? I can’t remember how many people have told me that programming is a man’s job. I find that women have a poor representation in the gaming community which could be for a number of reasons. But it’s something that’s definitely changing; more women are showing they can do it just as well. It’s got a way to go, but maybe someday soon. Has your career to date panned out how you thought it was going to? It really hasn’t! And I love that is hasn’t! I actually did quite terribly in high school. I was too preoccupied with building little games and mods instead. From there I just did what I enjoyed and what I loved and I ended up here. But especially for someone who did so badly in school, becoming a university lecturer was certainly something I never saw coming. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us? I have been building games for years, it’s tough work and it takes a lot of patience. But taking a bus to work and hearing a sound effect play from someone’s phone - from your game; is honestly the most satisfying thing you can imagine. It’s always worth it in the end. SAE has courses in Games Design, ranging from a Games Programming Diploma through to a Bachelor of Science (honours) in Games Programming. For more info, head to: www.sae.edu, but also check out the Computer Science courses at ECU, Games Software Design and Production at Murdoch and Digital Arts at Curtin Uni. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
You’ve won a stack of awards including WA Young Australian Of The Year (Arts); Finalist, Young Achiever Of The Year (WA), a City of Perth ‘Craft Award’ etc. What feels like the most significant? That I have helped shape the WA fashion industry by being part of the original Premier’s taskforce to implement a grants system at the Department of Culture and the Arts to support Fashion Designers. I am also proud that whenever I have the opportunity I engage/employ other WA creative’s to showcase their talents at our events, locally or internationally. I am constantly surrounded by other amazing people that inspire me and make my work enjoyable. Last season I worked with singer Grace Woodroofe and painter Waldemar Kolbusz to add another dimension to our Australian Fashion Week show. Who are you favourite designers? Of course Aurelio Costarella! His achievements and survival in the fashion industry over the last 30 years was one that needed to be celebrated. I also respect Kris Van Assche and Martin Margiela and creative directors Jean-Paul Goude and David LaChapelle. You should only enter the world of fashion if... You like hard work, can handle the uncertainty of the market from one season to the next and enjoy champagne. The Aurelio Costarella: A 30 year Retrospective is on until Sunday, February 2 at the WA Museum. Entry is free. Curtin University has a range of art courses on offer including Art and Design Studies, Fine Art and Photography and Illustration Design. For more info visit: www.curtin.edu.au
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JULIAN HEWITT PARTNER, MEDIA ARTS LAWYERS Studied: Law and Commerce at University of Western Australia
High Flyer Julian Hewitt, now located in Sydney, is a partner at Media Arts Lawyers representing artists, managers, record labels and publishers. He’s also a musician - a founding member of synth pop band Clubfeet and previously of The Hampdens. He fills us in on the path from law student to wheeling and dealing in the world of entertainment law. What made you decide to study law? I’d decided to study law as an eight-year-old. I’m pretty sure my dad was the commercial equivalent of a stage mum and gave me a gavel as a childhood toy. Entertainment law seems like the most glamorous of all the law practices. Is it? It’s certainly stimulating and full of interesting problems to solve - from negotiating sexual harassment suits with listed companies, to representing ‘serial killer groupies’ in defamation cases, to suing Chilean political parties over copyright infringement. A decent chunk of my client base is in music and part of picking up the best talent, is identifying what is actually good - so we always have music blaring in our office and people sending through new things they’re listening to... and it’s good going to music festivals and parties as genuine ‘work’. What does a typical day involve? We don’t open our office until 10am so usually I have a swim before work and then will often have breakfast or a morning coffee with a client or someone from a label. The majority of my day is on the phone/email negotiating deals, reviewing contracts, and trying to resolve disputes. I usually work until seven or eight,
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and the start and end of the day is when I do all my international Skypes/calls. Who are some of your clients? A lot of music related clients like Flume, Chet Faker, Boy & Bear, Flight Facilities, Future Classic, Bluesfest, Vance Joy, Matt Corby, Illy, Courtney Barnett, Wave Racer etc, as well as film projects, ad agencies, fashion labels, celebrities, actors and tech companies. Was moving east something you had to do to further your career? I moved to Melbourne playing music originally. I think it would be pretty hard to build and sustain a full-time entertainment practise out of WA unless you travelled constantly, but it could be done. The hard thing would be actually learning; it’s a specialised area and most part-time practitioners are at a massive disadvantage if they don’t have well developed relationships for their clients to benefit from. Certainly if I’d stayed in Perth I would never have ended up in this area. Give us an overview of your year. I go to SXSW in the US every year to catch up with the US and UK music industry and generally to close off a few outstanding international deals. This year I’m heading back again in April for Coachella, and then heading to the UK in July for Glastonbury and more meetings. The rest of the year I’m based in Sydney, but spend a fair bit of time in Melbourne (as we have an office there). I also play in a band that tends to do a couple of national tours each year plus a smattering of DJ slots and one-off gigs, so I’m in every city a bit and will usually tee up meetings when I’m in town. It’s rare that I’m at home for more than a couple of consecutive weeks throughout the year. You’re also in a successful band, Clubfeet. How are you finding juggling two careers? It’s actually great - the creative outlet is something I cherish and it justifies my slightly dishevelled dress sense. It also keeps me in touch with artists and the experience of being a working creative, which is really important. What advice do you have for those thinking of embarking on a similar path? I would recommend being engaged as fully as you can be in the area you want to move into. We get hundreds of job applications every year, but we don’t even take someone on as an unpaid intern unless they have demonstrated a real connection with the business by working with talent managers, touring companies, labels etc. I’d go one further and start your own business if you can, and then you can just hire us instead of working for us. And don’t wear a suit to your interview.
To qualify as a lawyer via UWA you need to complete an undergraduate bachelor’s course in Arts, Commerce, Design, Science or Philosophy and then complete a postgraduate Juris Doctor. For more information, head to: www.uwa.edu.au. ECU, Curtin Business School and Murdoch Uni also offer Bachelor of Laws degrees.
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
How did your time at WAAPA assist you to get to where you’re at today? It’s assisted me in so many ways and I’m very grateful for it. You learn so much in those three years that it’s impossible to list everything, but mostly WAAPA gave me a real love of stories and a passion to be involved in the telling of them. Before that, I was mostly up on stage trying to impress girls. Also having ‘WAAPA graduate’ on your CV doesn’t hurt. It lets people know that you’ve served your apprenticeship, so to speak, and can sometimes help in getting your foot in the door for auditions. Do you need to keep studying in your profession? I think it helps, definitely. The nice thing about being an actor or a comedian is that your career isn’t over by the time you’re 16. You get to develop over time and I think some performers get better with age. Any course or workshop that you do only helps to add to that development, which makes you more versatile and ultimately more employable. What’s been your career highlight to date? Appearing in the feature film These Final Hours was pretty special because it’s always been a dream of mine to be in a feature. But I’d have to say the short film, The Fan because it was my film writing debut. What’s been the low point? Edinburgh 2010. Opening night of my show, a crowd of 150 and everything went wrong. Everything. The audience was clearly embarrassed for me by the end of it. The show quite simply wasn’t ready and I watched as it just crumbled beneath me. I nearly quit performing after that.
BEN SUTTON WRITER, PERFORMER, COMEDIAN Studied: Acting at WAAPA
Bomb Diggity Ben Sutton had a great 2013. He hosted the Perth International Comedy Festival as his pimp comic creation, Diggy Bones. He’s been involved in the web series The Legend Of Gavin Tanner and Henry & Aaron’s Xmas Quickie for ABC2. He also appeared in Zak Hilditch’s debut feature film These Final Hours - due for release next year; as well as producing his first short film, The Fan, which he wrote and starred in.
CHRIS MALONE APPRENTICE CHEF, FRASERS Studied: Hospitality & Culinary Arts, West Coast Institute
The Apprentice Last October, Chris Malone is Australia’s number one apprentice chef. With an apprenticeship at Frasers Restaurant, Kings Park and coupled with training at West Coast Institute, following his win, he went onto the Junior Australian Chef’s challenge in Seoul, Korea - a team of five competed against 19 other countries, and they walked away with a silver medal. What course did you study? I studied a Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery Apprenticeship) at WCIT. I’m due to receive my qualification this month. My course was a threeyear full-time paid apprenticeship at Frasers with one day per week of study at WCIT. What made you choose Hospitality & Culinary Arts? I’ve always wanted to be a chef, and I have always been passionate about cooking. Once I completed year 10, I decided that an apprenticeship was the
It’s not an easy profession to earn a living in. What other jobs do you do (or have had to do) in order to get by? I gave up my day job seven months ago, but I’ve had plenty of other jobs in the past like plastering and tour guiding. Has your career panned out how you thought it was going to? I’d have to say no. I never thought I’d be involved in comedy like stand up or improv. I always wanted to be a serious and prestigious actor like Patrick Stewart. But that didn’t quite work out, so I gave comedy a go on a friend’s insistence and I haven’t looked back since. I still get the odd occasion where I’m asked to do more serious work, which is nice and can be refreshing, but comedy is where my heart lies. What’s on the cards for 2014? I’m currently co-developing a show for Fringe World 2014 entitled These Guys and projects like The Legend Of Gavin Tanner and These Final Hours are due for release, which is exciting. Plus, I’m looking forward to seeing how The Fan does at film festivals in 2014. I’ll also be writing and developing a horror feature film, which I’m really looking forward to. Outside of that, more live stand up comedy and improv shows. For more information about a Bachelor of Arts (Acting) from WAAPA visit: waapa.ecu.edu.au.
RILEY PEARCE
I really enjoy the hands-on approach. I did a Uni degree before this and I felt very lost in the classroom... My teachers at Central are always coming to me with opportunities to benefit my career or gigs and I really appreciate all they do for us.
MUSICIAN
When did you first develop an interest in playing music? I started playing guitar when I was in grade one. I can’t remember whether it was my parent’s decision, but I loved it. I didn’t like learning songs that my teacher wanted to teach me though. I always would bring songs to them, hoping they could teach me how to play my favourite songs.
Studied: Certificate IV in Music Business at Central Institute
Mixing Business With Pleasure Riley Pearce released his debut EP, We Are Fools last year - and he’s now in the US for six months working on new material. He enrolled in the Music Business course at Central Institute Of Technology to gain practical knowledge about how the music industry works and how to promote himself as an artist. What did the course teach you? I went into the course wanting to learn more about how the music industry operates and how to put myself in better stead to make a career from my music. I’ve met some amazing people and had chances I might never have had, or even known were possible. What was great about going to Central Institute?
Tell us about the making of your new EP. It was very much a case of me just wanting to get something out and give to people at shows, or when I busk. I had a lot of fun making it and the EP launch night was one of the best night’s I’ve had. How do you find the process of writing lyrics? It’s always hard. I try very hard and pride myself on having songs with good meaningful lyrics. Sometimes it comes naturally, other times it can take you months just to get one line right. Who’s been the biggest influence on you to date? Probably my dad. He works really hard, and a lot of the time in music you won’t get anywhere if you don’t work hard and chase the chances that come up. We Are Fools is out now through iTunes. You can get your music qualifications from Central Institute Of Technology in the areas of Sound Production and Music Business, with both Certificate and Diploma courses available. See: central.wa.edu.au.
path for me, so I left school and have never looked back since. You’re Australia’s number one apprentice chef after winning the national Australian Culinary Federation competition. Tell us about the comp! We’re picturing MasterChef here... I qualified for the national competition after winning the WA Apprentice competition and flew to Canberra to compete against the winners from each state. The competition was pretty stressful as I was competing against the best chefs in Australia, and I only had a two-hour deadline to plate an entrée, main, and dessert. I still can’t believe I won. It really is pretty cool to be named the best! What advice do you have for those thinking of embarking on a similar path? If you want to do it, give it a go. Follow your passion and just run with it. If you have a lot of patience for stressful situations and are prepared to put in the hard yards it can be very rewarding. A 16-hour day is not unusual so make sure you love a cup of coffee to keep you going! Which chefs do you admire? Heston Blumenthal – I don’t think there is a chef in the world that doesn’t admire him. Ben Shewry – Attica Restaurant, Melbourne. Paul Bocuse – amazing French Chef. Roux Brothers – The Waterside Inn, London. I really admire these chefs because they have made such an impact in the culinary industry. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Hopefully owning my own fine dining restaurant and still competing around the world. I would love to work and travel in different corners of the world too. West Coast Institute offers courses in Hospitality, Kitchen Operations, Commercial Cookery, Retail Baking and Cake and Pastry. For more info, check out: wcit.wa.edu.au. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
JOAN DELLAVALLE OWNER, EBONY & IVORY Studied: Bachelor of Business Management, Edith Cowan University
Perfect Harmony Joan Dellavalle moved from Zambia to Perth in 2001. She finished her hairdressing apprenticeship in 2004 and then learned the skills she needed to start her own business by studying Business Management at ECU. She now runs a successful business, Ebony & Ivory, which specialises in African, Asian and Caribbean hair. In 2011, she launched her fashion label, Joan DellaValle.
GEORGIA STEWART EVENT MANAGER, EMERGENCE CREATIVE FESTIVAL Studied: Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communications - Journalism & Public Relations), Curtin University
You’ve created a unique business in Ebony & Ivory. Was there a particular moment that sparked the idea to start it up? Yes I knew I wanted to have my own business since I was young. The biggest moment came when I went to a hair salon in Australia for the first time and the poor stylists did not understand my hair and had no idea what to do with it. From that moment I went, ‘this is it’ and I decided to start what I had always planned - my own business. When you think back to your time studying at ECU - what springs to mind? I’m so glad I did what I did because my dream has come true - I have created my very own successful business. Who have been your mentors, inspirations and helpers along the way? My father has always been my inspiration, may his soul rest in peace. My husband, Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Maya Angelou. Any person out there that’s hard working and trying to get somewhere. I always say my clients and all the beautiful people that work for me are my mentors. I learn so much from each and every one of these amazing people every day. What’s the best thing about your job? Every day is different and special. That smile I see on my client’s face when I finish their hair, or when they just pop in to chat about hair products. That smile is overwhelming and incredible and I can’t put a price on that. Just knowing you have made a difference in someone’s life somehow is such an amazing feeling.
AINE RYAN ASSISTANT PRODUCER, 6PR Studied: Bachelor of Communications (Broadcasting & Journalism) followed by a post-graduate Diploma in Broadcasting, Edith Cowan University
Pressure Down Aine Ryan graduated from ECU with a Communications degree, majoring in broadcasting and journalism and a few months ago, she completed a postgraduate in broadcasting. Since her second year of uni, she’d been working as a casual producer at radio station, 6PR and about a month before graduating, was offered the role of assistant producer on the Drive program with Paul Murray. She tells us about her job and study. What does a typical day at work involve? The Drive program on 6PR is a news and current affairs show, so in the morning I try and find stories that will be relevant and of interest to our audience. I might find them in the newspaper, on online news, on social media, wherever really. Then I’ll have a meeting with the executive producer (EP) of the show and our presenter, Paul Murray and we’ll decide what we’re going to discuss, who Paul will interview and at what times. I’ll then call talent, make sure they’re prepared and available to be interviewed on whatever the topic might be, and with the EP, put together a rundown that’s ready for 3pm when we go to air. When we go to air my job involves calling the talent so they’re 37
Creative Flair
What was it like coming from Zambia to Perth back in 2001? It was so special. People ask me if it was a culture shock and I say no, because Zambia is very multicultural, so Australia just felt like home. The only thing that was different I guess, was the weather. How did you get an invitation to the secret jam session with Beyonce’s band when they were in town? My beautiful client of 10 years, Perth singer and musician Jade-Lori Crompton was invited to perform on stage with the band and she brought me along as her special guest. Do you have any celebrity clients you’d like to share with us? I do, but I think I better share their names later in 2014 because I have some big names coming to Ebony & Ivory this year!
Georgia Stewart is the Marketing & Event Manager at Emergence Creative - a conference for creatives working in advertising, film, music, communications and the design and digital industries. She’s also worked on large scale events such as the 2011 City to Surf for Activ, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and Perth’s Festival of Cycling, which came second in the Major Festivals & Events category at the 2013 WA Tourism Industry Awards. Tell us about your role at the Emergence Creative Festival. I oversee the strategic planning, implementation and execution stages for every aspect of the event. Working very closely with the guidance of the chairman, Mat Lewis, I create, organise and implement everything from website content, marketing strategies and graphic design work to speaker invites and logistics, program creation, delegate registrations, venue coordination and team management.
ready for their interview, answering calls from listeners and putting them through to Paul if they want to talk about something and generally making sure the show runs smoothly. It’s a team effort really, and we all do our bit to make sure the show runs smoothly. Best bits about your job? The adrenaline rush when a big story breaks, the fast-paced nature of the job and the people I work with. Also the hours - I work from around 10.30am to 6.30pm and it’s great. What personality traits do you need in broadcasting to succeed? Thick skin – you need to be able to take criticism and grow from it, and sometimes you get the odd angry talkback caller who might call and complain, so it’s important not to take it personally. Initiative is important and also the ability to cope under pressure. When stories break you have to be on the ball and on the phone calling someone who is across the situation and ready to go to air. W h at m a d e yo u c h o o s e t h e B a c h e l o r o f Communications at ECU? I knew in high school that I wanted to work in radio, so I researched some courses across different Perth universities that offered broadcasting and journalism and ECU just seemed to fit because of how practical it is. You went on to study a Graduate Diploma in Broadcasting. How much do you apply the skills you learned in that course in your current role? The grad dip is such a practical course. We did weekly radio shows and TV news programs, learning to edit, film etc. Our radio studios and TV studios were of a really professional quality and we learnt about a huge number of roles in TV and radio and how to fulfil them. We also learnt a lot about how to behave in the media, phone manner, presentation, interviewing techniques etc. I use a lot of the skills we picked up at work, and the rest of it is in the back of my mind ready for me when I need it. The fact that the course provides so much work experience also helps - I picked up a lot simply by being in newsrooms, TV production areas and radio stations. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
What’s the best thing about your job? The best thing about my job is being able to collaborate with some fantastic creative minds and seeing ideas evolve into something really cool and out there. Not only for Emergence but for other events also, there’s a creative side to implementing and running events and it’s great to listen to all the ideas out there. Also that feeling at the end of a successful event. What’s the worst? The worst is the uncertainty of not knowing the end result. You can plan everything down as much as possible however you’ll never know what’s going to happen until event day. Event management can be a pretty stressful role. What’s the secret to holding it all together? There’s nothing more valuable in event management than having a team that you can trust and that supports you every step of the way. The real secret is to be able to find that team and come up with some awesome ideas together. It’s the people you work with that keep the job fun. As one of our keynote speakers, Ben Akers, is discussing this year – you need positive partners. So many people are doubtful about ideas. You need to work with people who are brave enough not to know the answer. That’s where the great work comes from. What aspects of the course have helped you in your job today? The practical areas of the course have helped me the most through my career. Your assignments are actually documents that you will create in the real world, such as a media release for PR students. I believe that has been the most valuable for me. What advice do you have for those thinking of embarking on a similar path? Take every opportunity you’re given - whether it is unpaid, voluntary, interning or (for some lucky ones) a paid position. No matter what situation you end up in, you will learn something new. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for a few people providing me with internship opportunities. Has your career to date panned out how you thought it was going to? No way! I was supposed to be a journalist! Now I can see that was definitely not the right career path for me.
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