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Teaching & Learning

The Teaching & Learning team comprises teaching faculty and professional support staff who work together to deliver four course streams – online; short & industry courses; undergraduate (BA); and, postgraduate courses (Graduate Diploma and Masters). The division is responsible for the design, development, scheduling, delivery and continuous improvement of AFTRS curriculum to ensure that AFTRS is fulfilling its remit to provide industry with the highly skilled graduates it needs to thrive now and into the future.

AFTRS is one of only three fully self-accrediting Higher Education Providers. the Teaching & Learning division bridges its industry best practice curriculum with the highest level of academic quality assurance. Teaching staff drawn from industry and supported by ongoing professional development and a research program focussed on creativity and innovation, deliver courses that are future-focussed, industry current and, delivered according to AFTRS unique, practice-based pedagogy. Externally, the team works to ensure the ongoing strength of AFTRS’ reputation for excellence through partnered research projects, conferences, symposia and International film and broadcast school networks.

  • Link to David Balfour
    David Balfour

    David Balfour joined AFTRS in 2014 as the Head of Teaching and Learning, h...

    David Balfour

    David Balfour joined AFTRS in 2014 as the Head of Teaching and Learning, has since moved on to the role of Director of Curriculum & Student Registrar and in August…

    icon Job title:

    Director of Teaching & Learning

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Jane Newton
    Jane Newton

    Jane is the Head of Curriculum at AFTRS, where she oversees the continuous...

    Jane Newton

    Jane is the Head of Curriculum at AFTRS, where she oversees the continuous improvement of curriculum and works with all course teams to develop and enhance their programs. She also…

    icon Job title:

    Head of Curriculum

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Louise Hajjar
    Louise Hajjar

    A people-focused team leader with an eye for detail, Louise navigates the ...

    Louise Hajjar

    A people-focused team leader with an eye for detail, Louise navigates the complexities and nuances of arts education to deliver and maintain the resourcing requirements for the school. With over…

    icon Job title:

    Head of Program Resourcing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Gemma Luppino
    Gemma Luppino

    Gemma Luppino was appointed Head of Short Courses at AFTRS in August 2023,...

    Gemma Luppino

    Gemma Luppino was appointed Head of Short Courses at AFTRS in August 2023, following several years working with the program as a Program Manager, Delivery Supervisor and Coordinator where she…

    icon Job title:

    Head of Short Courses

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr Marty Murphy
    Dr Marty Murphy

    Dr Marty Murphy is Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production Program Convenor at...

    Dr Marty Murphy

    Dr Marty Murphy is Bachelor of Arts Screen: Production Program Convenor at AFTRS with over ten years of teaching at the school. An alumnus of the school’s directing course, Marty…

    icon Job title:

    Program Convenor – BA

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Juliet John
    Juliet John

    Juliet John has worked as an art director and production designer in the f...

    Juliet John

    Juliet John has worked as an art director and production designer in the film and television industry for over 25 years and, since 2003, she has built a strong record…

    icon Job title:

    Program Convenor – MA

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Natalie Pozdeev
    Natalie Pozdeev

    Natalie Pozdeev is a media education specialist, with expertise in practic...

    Natalie Pozdeev

    Natalie Pozdeev is a media education specialist, with expertise in practice-based radio, journalism and digital content training. As Program Convenor of the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, she leads…

    icon Job title:

    Program Convenor – Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Peter Herbert
    Peter Herbert

    A writer, producer and executive producer for a many national and internat...

    Peter Herbert

    A writer, producer and executive producer for a many national and international companies, among them Crawford Productions, PBL Productions, Taffner Ramsay, Beyond International and Granada, Peter began his career writing…

    icon Job title:

    Program Convenor – MASB

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr. Pieter Aquilia
    Dr. Pieter Aquilia

    Dr. Pieter Aquilia is a scriptwriter, script editor and director, who has ...

    Dr. Pieter Aquilia

    Dr. Pieter Aquilia is a scriptwriter, script editor and director, who has combined her creative practice with a career in academia. Following a 7-year tenure as Head of Screenwriting at…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead Creative Projects

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Krista Jordan
    Krista Jordan

    Krista Jordan has over twenty years professional industry experience in cr...

    Krista Jordan

    Krista Jordan has over twenty years professional industry experience in creative and commercial filmmaking. Her professional film credits include The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, Rabbit- Proof Fence, Moulin Rouge and the Academy…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead - Innovation & Technology

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning, Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Julia Avenell
    Julia Avenell

    Julia has worked at AFTRS for over 20 years, acr...

    Julia Avenell

    Julia has worked at AFTRS for over 20 years, across a range of disciplines, including Production, Production Design and Screen Content. For the last six years, she has worked as…

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    Learning Designer - Curriculum and Registrar; Staff Member of Council

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning, Council

  • Link to Rebecca Ritchie
    Rebecca Ritchie

    Rebecca Ritchie is a Learning Designer at the Australian Film Television a...

    Rebecca Ritchie

    Rebecca Ritchie is a Learning Designer at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

    icon Job title:

    Learning Designer

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Andrea Ho
    Andrea Ho

    Andrea Ho is a media professional and an experienced leader, broadcaster a...

    Andrea Ho

    Andrea Ho is a media professional and an experienced leader, broadcaster and content maker. Andrea started her broadcasting career in community broadcasting in Melbourne and NSW, in content production, on-air,…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Radio and Podcasting

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Kate Stone
    Kate Stone

    Kate is a writer, developer and producer who worked as Head of Development...

    Kate Stone

    Kate is a writer, developer and producer who worked as Head of Development at The Steve Jaggi Company from the start of 2016 where she oversaw the development of a…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Screenwriting

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Cameron Patrick
    Cameron Patrick

    Cameron Patrick is an Annie Award nominee and AGSC Screen Music Award winn...

    Cameron Patrick

    Cameron Patrick is an Annie Award nominee and AGSC Screen Music Award winner whose screen experience spans 30 years. He is an accomplished composer and orchestrator of music for film…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Music

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Pearl Tan
    Pearl Tan

    Pearl Tan was born in Perth, Western Australia. She is the founder and dir...

    Pearl Tan

    Pearl Tan was born in Perth, Western Australia. She is the founder and director of Pearly Productions, creating independent films with a focus on diversity. She was named one of…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Directing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Richard Welch
    Richard Welch

    Richard Welch is an experienced documentary curator, lecturer and filmmake...

    Richard Welch

    Richard Welch is an experienced documentary curator, lecturer and filmmaker, with over 20 years’ experience in the screen media industry. As Festival Co-Director and a founding member of the Antenna…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Documentary

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Simon Smith
    Simon Smith

    Simon Smith ACS has been appointed to the MAS teaching team as Discipline ...

    Simon Smith

    Simon Smith ACS has been appointed to the MAS teaching team as Discipline Lead Cinematography.

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead - Cinematography

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr Tara Lomax
    Dr Tara Lomax

    Dr Tara Lomax is a screen studies...

    Dr Tara Lomax

    Dr Tara Lomax is a screen studies educator and researcher, academic author, and creative practitioner with expertise in contemporary entertainment, media franchising, and multiplatform storytelling. She has a PhD in…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead - Screen Studies

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr. Duncan McLean
    Dr. Duncan McLean

    Dr Duncan McLean is a senior lecturer in Screen Studies. A passionate teac...

    Dr. Duncan McLean

    Dr Duncan McLean is a senior lecturer in Screen Studies. A passionate teacher, Duncan has over a decade of experience teaching film history and theory to undergraduate students and has…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Screen Studies

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Simeon Bryan
    Simeon Bryan

    Simeon Bryan is an accomplished cinematographer who has worked with great ...

    Simeon Bryan

    Simeon Bryan is an accomplished cinematographer who has worked with great success across the full spectrum of film and broadcast industries. His training began in London in 1984 working as…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Cinematography

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr Zanny Begg
    Dr Zanny Begg

    Dr Zanny Begg has over 15 years of production experience across fiction an...

    Dr Zanny Begg

    Dr Zanny Begg has over 15 years of production experience across fiction and non-fiction including cutting edge experimental digital work. She has a PhD in Art Theory from UNSW with…

    icon Job title:

    BA Discipline Lead - Directing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Jenevieve Chang
    Jenevieve Chang

    Jenevieve Chang is a story developer, writer and performer...

    Jenevieve Chang

    Jenevieve Chang is a story developer, writer and performer who has worked in the UK, China and Australia. Most recently, Jenevieve was Development Executive at ABC Drama & Comedy . She has also…

    icon Job title:

    BA Discipline Lead - Screenwriting

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Julie Greene
    Julie Greene

    Julie Greene is an Executive Producer and Creative Director and has been w...

    Julie Greene

    Julie Greene is an Executive Producer and Creative Director and has been working in the television and film industry for over 25 years. After completing a Bachelor of Communications in…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Producing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Essi Haukkamaa-Judge
    Essi Haukkamaa-Judge

    Essi Haukkamaa-Judge is a Finnish born producer. She has more than 25 year...

    Essi Haukkamaa-Judge

    Essi Haukkamaa-Judge is a Finnish born producer. She has more than 25 years of work experience in the screen industry, working in different production roles in Finland and Australia, and…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Producing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Ann Megalla
    Ann Megalla

    Ann Megalla is an accomplished producer, production executive, and coach w...

    Ann Megalla

    Ann Megalla is an accomplished producer, production executive, and coach with over two decades of experience uncovering captivating narratives that shape our world and influence change.

    icon Job title:

    BA Discipline Lead - Production

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Natalie Beak
    Natalie Beak

    Natalie Beak is a Production Designer and Art Director who has worked thro...

    Natalie Beak

    Natalie Beak is a Production Designer and Art Director who has worked throughout Australia and the UK. Since completing her studies at the Australian, Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS)…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Production Design

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Roland Gallois
    Roland Gallois

    Roland Gallois is a film and documentary editor with over 20 years experie...

    Roland Gallois

    Roland Gallois is a film and documentary editor with over 20 years experience. He is best know for his work on the feature film Samson and Delilah which won the…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Editing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Indrani Kopal
    Indrani Kopal

    Indrani Kopal is an award-winning documentary...

    Indrani Kopal

    Indrani Kopal is an award-winning documentary director, editor and former Fulbright scholar with over 15 years of global practice spanning Southeast Asia and the United States. As a former video…

    icon Job title:

    BA Discipline Lead - Editing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Stephen Murphy
    Stephen Murphy

    During his childhood Stephen Murphy developed a fascination with film, tel...

    Stephen Murphy

    During his childhood Stephen Murphy developed a fascination with film, television and sound that has been with him ever since. On leaving high school he made this his life work,…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Sound

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr. Gerald Mair
    Dr. Gerald Mair

    Dr. Gerald Mair was born and brought up on the west coast of Scotland. In ...

    Dr. Gerald Mair

    Dr. Gerald Mair was born and brought up on the west coast of Scotland. In 2004 he relocated to Melbourne in Victoria. As a sound practitioner his career has involved…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead, Sound

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Krista Jordan
    Krista Jordan

    Krista Jordan has over twenty years professional industry experience in cr...

    Krista Jordan

    Krista Jordan has over twenty years professional industry experience in creative and commercial filmmaking. Her professional film credits include The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, Rabbit- Proof Fence, Moulin Rouge and the Academy…

    icon Job title:

    Discipline Lead - Innovation & Technology

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning, Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Claire Pickard
    Claire Pickard

    Claire is an experienced program coordinator in adult education, bringing ...

    Claire Pickard

    Claire is an experienced program coordinator in adult education, bringing people-focussed communication and creative skills to the role. She joined AFTRS from a previous role in community college short course…

    icon Job title:

    Program Coordinator – MASB

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Maija Howe
    Maija Howe

    Maija Howe is Research & Development Subject Leader for the Master of ...

    Maija Howe

    Maija Howe is Research & Development Subject Leader for the Master of Arts Screen at AFTRS.

    icon Job title:

    Senior Lecturer - Editing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Alexander Hoetzer
    Alexander Hoetzer

    Alexander Hoetzer is an experienced visual effects artist with almost 20 y...

    Alexander Hoetzer

    Alexander Hoetzer is an experienced visual effects artist with almost 20 years’ experience in a range of screen industries, across a broad range of disciplines. With experience in film, games,…

    icon Job title:

    Senior Lecturer – Animation/VFX

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Bethany Bruce
    Bethany Bruce

    Beth is an independent producer and co-founder of the production company S...

    Bethany Bruce

    Beth is an independent producer and co-founder of the production company Staple Fiction and works across drama and documentaries. She is passionate about talent and story development and sharing knowledge…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer - Producing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning, Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Virginia Mesiti
    Virginia Mesiti

    Virginia Mesiti is a visual storyteller who i...

    Virginia Mesiti

    Virginia Mesiti is a visual storyteller who is drawn to character driven drama and projects she can build worlds within. Her passion for colour, research and developing a rich backstory…

    icon Job title:

    Senior Lecturer - Production Design

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Greg Wise
    Greg Wise

    Greg has composed, recorded, arranged and produced music for films, televi...

    Greg Wise

    Greg has composed, recorded, arranged and produced music for films, television series, animations, documentaries and commercials. After studying classical piano Greg embarked on a career as a touring and recording…

    icon Job title:

    Senior Lecturer – Screen Music

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Michael Philips
    Michael Philips

    After qualifying as an architect, Michael worked for the Zimbabwean Minist...

    Michael Philips

    After qualifying as an architect, Michael worked for the Zimbabwean Ministry of Housing before entering the film industry in the 1980s as a set designer. Thirty years on he has…

    icon Job title:

    Senior Lecturer – Image

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr. Mark Ward
    Dr. Mark Ward

    Dr. Mark Ward is a sound designer and media educator with over 30 years of...

    Dr. Mark Ward

    Dr. Mark Ward is a sound designer and media educator with over 30 years of experience, and currently teaches both the Master and Bachelor programmes at AFTRS.

    icon Job title:

    Senior Lecturer - Sound

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Kate Blackmore
    Kate Blackmore

    Kate Blackmore is an Australian artist and filmmaker whose films have been...

    Kate Blackmore

    Kate Blackmore is an Australian artist and filmmaker whose films have been presented across cinematic, broadcast and contemporary art contexts. She has written, directed and produced over 20 short arts…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer – Documentary

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Kirk Marcolina
    Kirk Marcolina

    Kirk Marcolina has worked in television and documentary for over 25 years ...

    Kirk Marcolina

    Kirk Marcolina has worked in television and documentary for over 25 years as a Producer, Director and Editor. Kirk’s features include Limited Partnership and The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne,…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer – Documentary

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Megan Simpson Huberman
    Megan Simpson Huberman

    Megan Simpson Huberman is a writer, director, development consultant, scri...

    Megan Simpson Huberman

    Megan Simpson Huberman is a writer, director, development consultant, script editor, story producer and senior development, production, and creative executive in the Australian screen industry. She has written, directed, and…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer - Directing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Milena Romanin
    Milena Romanin

    Milena Romanin is AFTRS Alumni from both the Editing department and more r...

    Milena Romanin

    Milena Romanin is AFTRS Alumni from both the Editing department and more recently the Producing department. She has over 20 years of professional experience in the Editing department as First…

    icon Job title:

    Post-Production Supervisor

    icon Division:

    Production, Technology & Infrastructure, Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Robbie Miles
    Robbie Miles

    Robbie Miles is an AFTRS alumnus (Graduate Certificate: Screen Drama – D...

    Robbie Miles

    Robbie Miles is an AFTRS alumnus (Graduate Certificate: Screen Drama – Directing & Screenwriting, 2009) and an experienced producer and development executive. Robbie spent several years working in Los Angeles…

    icon Job title:

    HEAD OF INDUSTRY & ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

    icon Division:

    Partnerships & Development, Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Fiona Whalley
    Fiona Whalley

    As the AFTRS’ Timetable Resource Coordinator, Fiona is able to share her...

    Fiona Whalley

    As the AFTRS’ Timetable Resource Coordinator, Fiona is able to share her passion for collaborating with others to problem solve, improve processes and develop new procedures with tangible results. Fiona…

    icon Job title:

    Timetabling Resource Coordinator

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Hannah Hilliard
    Hannah Hilliard

    Hannah Hilliard is a multi-award winning AFTRS graduate who has worked as ...

    Hannah Hilliard

    Hannah Hilliard is a multi-award winning AFTRS graduate who has worked as a director in film, television, and commercials. She has written and directed five short films that have been…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer - Directing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Phillippa Harvey
    Phillippa Harvey

    After studying fine art printmaking and photography at art school in SA, P...

    Phillippa Harvey

    After studying fine art printmaking and photography at art school in SA, Phillippa came to Sydney and began working for Pilgrim Films as an assistant editor, followed by several years…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer – Editing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Dr Peter Cox
    Dr Peter Cox

    Peter Cox is an award-winning television writ...

    Dr Peter Cox

    Peter Cox is an award-winning television writer and creator who works across a broad range of genres. Peter’s first series was The Insider’s Guide to Happiness which won six awards…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer - Screenwriting

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Tom Gleeson
    Tom Gleeson

    Tom Gleeson is a cinematographer initially tr...

    Tom Gleeson

    Tom Gleeson is a cinematographer initially trained at ABC TV. He has gone on to work internationally in feature films, commercials, and to documentary subjects as diverse as inside Maximum…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer - Cinematography

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning

  • Link to Bethany Bruce
    Bethany Bruce

    Beth is an independent producer and co-founder of the production company S...

    Bethany Bruce

    Beth is an independent producer and co-founder of the production company Staple Fiction and works across drama and documentaries. She is passionate about talent and story development and sharing knowledge…

    icon Job title:

    Lecturer - Producing

    icon Division:

    Teaching & Learning, Teaching & Learning