From study to filmmaking stardom – UCOL’s Creative Workhub paves the way for ākonga success

UCOL are celebrating the success of their Workhub initiative following a Manawatū community project that has led to Samoan Language Week music videos going viral.

The Creative Workhub provides ākonga with opportunities to experience real-world scenarios working on projects that connect them with industry experts and professionals, so they are work-ready once graduated.

Collaborating with Malamalama Moni Aoga Amata (MMAA) and award-winning children’s music duo Kane Parsons and Regan Taylor of The KaRs, UCOL Bachelor of Creative Media graduate, Trent Skeet, filmed and produced the videos and says his film making career has skyrocketed ever since he started the Workhub project last year.

“The project has helped my career immensely since we launched the first music video, l'a mase'ese'e (Slippery fish), for Samoan Language week last year that has received over 100,000 likes on YouTube! This success has led to us filming and producing four new videos this year that again have been a huge hit and greatly received by the community as a way to celebrate and preserve gagana Samoan language now and into the future.

If it wasn’t for the Workhub and the support and mentoring from my lecturers, I wouldn’t be where I am today, working on my first big feature film about freshwater sustainability and biodiversity! It really has set me up with the skills and confidence to follow my dream of being a professional film maker, specialising in impactful videos through creative community projects that make a difference.”

A key feature of the degree is teaching ākonga how to use industry grade filming equipment, which Skeet says has made it easy to jump into a career in film after studying.

“I loved the facilities at UCOL. Block 2 is where it’s at! We had access to so many amazing, high-quality pieces of equipment and tools. Anything you could ever want to pursue film was available to us to use and practice with.”

With the popularity of the Samoan Language Week videos, Skeet is set to continue his work with Parsons, Taylor and MMAA, with an album on the way.

“It has been overwhelming having such an incredible response from the families involved in the videos and the positive feedback we have received from the Samoan community and beyond. We can’t wait for the new album to be released.”

Although Skeet finished his studies last year, he says a key factor to his growing success as a film maker is the support he continues to receive from UCOL.

“It’s amazing that even outside of UCOL my lecturers are still helping me by giving me guidance and support, and letters of recommendations for my funding applications for projects. They are extremely passionate about their creative craft and seeing students succeed.”

The Samon Language Week music videos are available on YouTube at these links:

• l'a mase'ese'e (Slippery fish) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWb3QkthPXE

• Tasi, Tasi, Tasi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBbIOL0D-LA

• Fa’aogā le Solosolo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpqAFQ103KE

• Samala! Hammer! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjir15zPz_Q

• Malie Pule Le Tama e - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knAahrH60n8