Thomas Grainger

Why Media Arts and Production at UTS?

This course has had a long-standing reputation as the best of its kind throughout Australia, so I didn’t hesitate to put UTS as my first choice when it came to applying for university. Media Arts and Production offers a balance of both theory and practice, which equips students for handling real-life projects and embarking on career pathways before even leaving university.

Apart from networking with a highly talented cohort and gaining friendships that cannot be found outside of the university setting, studying at UTS has provided me with the perfect platform for understanding the nature of the creative industries and learning how to apply complex problem solving skills to make myself a versatile and noteworthy candidate for positions across the communications field.

The things I’ve enjoyed most out of my degree…

Being taught by really talented tutors, who have that industry experience and knowledge and are willing to share their insights, has been a profoundly eye-opening experience for me. It has been the guiding source for igniting my passion towards creating media projects both within and outside of the classroom. It’s not often that you can say that your teachers are really cool and interesting people to engage with, and I am surely going to miss this experience when I graduate!

You have been interning in the field of film lately. How did studying your degree at UTS prepares you?

I just finished up my latest internship at Golden Duck, a small production agency based at in the Entertainment Quarter. This degree set me up for knowing how to showcase my skills within a professional setting, whilst developing a sound reflective process to assess my own work and professional development within the workplace.

A typical day in the life of a Film Producer

I don’t think a typical day exists for a producer! Every day something new is happening and it’s your job to be on the ball with it all. You have almost predict things before they happen, and this is what’s exiting about being a producer. Yes there’s a lot of admin work and many hours spent chasing up projects before and after the director yells cut, but it’s a highly stimulating process that sees you connecting with so many new people constantly.

Advice to future UTS students looking to study Media Arts and Production

Don’t second-guess yourself. If this is your passion, if working, as a professional in the creative production industry is your ultimate goal, then jump into it. Put your hand up for as much as you can, but also learn where your limit lies. The more you experience, the more you will learn not only about the craft but also about yourself. There is so much to learn and this is your golden ticket through that door.