Filmmaking Fundamentals Workshop

As the Great Southern region of Western Australia grows into a vibrant regional film hub, one local filmmaker is taking bold steps to ensure that Albany’s creative community can keep up with rising demand. With support from the Mt Burdett Foundation Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation (RRAF), Adam Morris, acclaimed writer, director and educator, is launching a professional development initiative to train the next generation of screen talent through his Filmmaking Fundamentals Workshop.

At the conclusion of 2024, Albany had hosted the production of at least seven feature films, including Adam’s own independently produced Frederickstown, starring Peter Rowsthorn, Myles Pollard, and Trevor Jamieson. The town is on the map for national and international film projects, including a large-scale production featuring Daisy Ridley. But with this growth comes an urgent need: skilled local crew.

“We’re struggling to find trained professionals in post-production—editors, colour graders, sound designers—within Albany,” says Morris. “That’s why we’re creating the very talent we need, right here in the region.”

The Filmmaking Fundamentals Workshop is designed as a five-day intensive program offered through high schools, local universities, and the popular Albany Summer School. The course covers:

• Screenwriting & storytelling

• Cinematography

• Editing & sound design

• Industry networking and distribution strategies

  
  

Delivered by Morris himself, who teaches Creative Writing at UWA Albany and has three feature films under his belt, the workshop blends practical, hands-on learning with insider industry knowledge.

This isn’t just an academic exercise. The goal is to create a local talent pipeline that leads directly into regional film productions. Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to:

• Join Morris’s future productions as crew

• Work on other productions visiting the region

• Launch their own creative projects with new skills and connections

  
  

With plans to run the program 2–3 times annually, and with multiple schools and institutions already expressing interest, the long-term impact on the community could be profound.

The Mt Burdett Foundation’s grant funding has supported the development, delivery, and refinement of the workshop curriculum. From lesson planning and competency mapping to real-world projects like pitch decks and short films, the program is built to meet industry standards—and to grow year after year.

Morris’s ultimate vision is clear: to build a sustainable, skilled film workforce that anchors a thriving local creative economy.

The Mt Burdett Foundation proudly supports innovative projects that build human capacity and career opportunities in rural and regional Western Australia. If you have an idea that could help your region thrive, head to https://www.mtburdettfoundation.org.au/rural-and-regional to learn about our grant programs and how to apply.