America beckons UCOL video student

Tuesday 17 December 2013

America beckons UCOL video student

For UCOL video student Brandon Lauridsen, a first ever long haul flight to America will be just the beginning of a life-changing adventure early next year.

Brandon, a Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging (BAVI) student, has been selected to travel to renowned video production/post-production studio, Lobitos Creek Ranch in San Francisco, for a nine week internship.

The third year student admits to a feeling of ‘nervous excitement’ at the prospect of travelling half way around the world. “It’s a massive opportunity to work with people who have been doing my dream job for ages,” he says. “I want to see where I fit into the ‘bigger picture’ and whether I’m heading in the right direction.”

Brandon was named UCOL’s top Videography student this year.

His final year project was a training video for a local Health and Safety business. Responsible for the video’s concept, scripting, casting, filming and editing, Brandon was able to use many of the techniques he had learnt during his three year degree.

“I have really enjoyed the practical nature of the BAVI programme,” says Brandon. He originally enrolled to major in photography, but then discovered the power of the moving image. “Video is way cooler. I come from a musical family so being able to incorporate sound and music in my work is the best part.”

Brandon says he enjoys the collaborative process of working in a creative team and regards his post-production and editing abilities as his strongest skills.

Brandon’s living expenses and accommodation are included in the internship and UCOL will subsidise his return airfares.

The internship was conceived three years ago by Californian and Lobitos Creek Ranch owner Steve Michelson, and Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival Director Brent Barrett and Warren Jones. They approached UCOL’s Video Lecturer at the time, Mel Edmon, to seek suitable applicants for the internship.

The internship has proven to be a successful career launch pad for a talented UCOL BAVI video student each year. Joshua Hardgrave was the first UCOL Bachelor of Applied Visual Imaging student to embark on the internship and now works at WETA Digital in Wellington. His successor Nicole Baker works in film production in Melbourne and last year’s recipient Michael Watson spent six months this year as a video lecturer on the BAVI programme.

Acting Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Business Steve Sorsby says, “We are delighted to support this terrific opportunity that aligns well with our work-ready graduates’ philosophy. We congratulate Brandon on winning the scholarship and trust his time in California is both enjoyable and productive.”

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