Stephen Baker Class of 2001 Background BSc Zoology Current Position Director, Prime TV's United Travel Getaway

I was part of the inaugural class of 2001 and have to say had one of the best years of my life, certainly the best academic year of my life! Maybe it was something to do with being a mature student! I made fantastic friends in fellow students and teaching staff, came away with new skills in camera work, and learnt the art of story telling all in 1 year!

I returned to Auckland looking for more camera opportunities and greater experience and I pretty much walked straight into the role of camera/director for a new reality show, ‘Police 10-7’. Two years, umpteen Friday nights and countless criminals later I moved onto more reality shows such as ‘Border Patrol’, ‘Coastwatch’, ‘Renters’, ‘NZ Idol II’, ‘Summer Camp U.S.A’ and ‘S.C.U’ (Serious Crash Unit) to name a few! All shooting as well as directing.

The role of a cameraman who can direct him or herself is becoming very popular amongst productions on limited budgets. It’s a role I have thoroughly enjoyed and have felt confident and comfortable doing with the skills I know I picked up whilst studying in the Postgraduate Diploma in Natural History Filmmaking and Communication.

All this experience paid off when in June of 2004 I landed my dream job of Field Director/Camera for United Travel ‘Getaway’ on Prime TV. I get to travel the world, stay in swanky hotels, eat gorgeous food and see amazing sights…. All whilst being paid!

Nicola Vallance Class of 2001 Background BSc(Hons) Zoology Current Position Media/Public Awareness Department of Conservation

I attended the Post-Graduate Diploma in Natural History Filmmaking and Communication in 2001. I found the course to be thoroughly enjoyable, and extremely valuable for my current job, which involves a lot of writing. During the course, I completed an internship at nhnz, where I got to produce a special feature (one of those “the making of” programs) for a series of films about the polar regions. I also had a blast travelling around New Zealand to make my own film about wasps as one of the core components of the course. The reason I enjoyed the course so much was because it covered such a wide variety of media, including museum displays, magazine articles, shooting scripts and short stories. I would recommend the course to anyone interested in natural history and who wants to find a way to communicate their passion to others in a creative and interesting way.

Simon Wylie Class of 2001 Background BA/BSc(Hons) Anthropology Current Position Natural History Archive BBC Natural History Unit

I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the inaugural intake for the PGDipNHFC. It was definitely the most hands-on practical year of education I have had in my life. I was able to learn a vast range of skills in a short time (eg interviewing, research, script writing, film critique, film production, general science communication and even confidence) and was exposed to a range of different perspectives on natural history film making and science communication from experts in many different fields. I thoroughly enjoyed making the film and believe the unique course has set me in good stead for a potential career in the natural history film making industry.

Sofie Fern Class of 2002 Background MSc Marine Science Current Position Writer/Teaching Fellow

Having spent my childhood dreaming of rock pools, I was destined to study marine biology. I’ve worked in research but my strength lies in teaching. I had a fabulous year learning how to better communicate my enthusiasm for science. My highlights included becoming part of the lives of the people in my film. I was honoured by how open and honest they were with me. I hope I didn’t misrepresent them. I also met the most amazing group of people on the course. The atmosphere was hugely supportive, a good thing when you are presenting such personal work for public criticism. Currently I work part-time teaching marine science and I spend the rest of my time writing and coming up with creative projects. No fame or fortune yet, but I’ve only just started!

Stuffing Missy, a film by Sofie Fern

Job Rustenhoven Class of 2002 Background PhD Chemistry Current Position Filmmaker nhnz

I thoroughly enjoyed myself on this course. It's an excellent introduction to inexpensive digital filmmaking techniques that will give you the confidence and ability to go off and make broadcast quality documentaries on a shoestring. Or you could end up working in TV, like me.

Out of place, a film by Job Rustenhoven and Iain Grant