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Meet SAE Sydney student Hayden Huynh

Hayden Huynh not only enjoys immersing himself in his film degree but he is also an active member of campus life.
Student wearing blazer. Text reads Student Edition #saecrew. Hayden Huynh

As co-leader of the student council, Hayden helps out with on-campus events, creates promotional videos for campus clubs and organises the banging end of tri parties.

#saecrew
– student edition –

NAME: Hayden Huynh
CAMPUS: SAE Sydney
DISCIPLINE: Bachelor of Film

What do you most enjoy about student life at SAE?

I do enjoy my time here at SAE. The one thing I enjoy about student life is interacting with students from different disciplines. I’ve met talented individuals on campus who are also my close friends. Not only do we collaborate on projects within the SAE course, we often work on our own personal passion projects.

What are your plans for when you graduate?

My plan for when I graduate is to find a job in the industry and work on my projects. My strengths in filmmaking are as a producer and an editor. Throughout the course so far, I’ve been working and refining these skills on my major works and learning important lessons onset and from my lectures. Through interacting and gaining important connections here at SAE, I feel that this goal is achievable. At the moment, I’ve kickstarted a freelancing business in video production in which I am using the skills learned in SAE to be put into practice in an external environment.

Who inspires you?

A profession in the film industry that inspires me is the role of the producer. The main aspirations of my creative career are to become or be involved with this role. I like how the producer role is a logistic and systematic approach to the production of the film. The producer role helps accents my strong work ethic in creating a dynamic film crew and making everything like clockwork.

Tell us a little about SAE campus life?

As co-student council leader, I have delved into the campus culture by creating and hosting events, helping SAE in the open and information nights as well as interacting with people from different study disciplines. In some cases, SAE is my second home!

I’ve helped create promotional videos for student-led clubs, created posters around the campus, ran my extracurricular club called the Performing Arts club, produced and managed an event at the end of trimester parties, and provided support to new students on orientation – just to name a few. Through these types of activities, I love interacting with the SAE campus culture as I get to meet new friends and discuss some potential projects in the mix!

What do you enjoy most about Film?

I love playing with the gear as well as talking to the lecturers about film. The gear that SAE has to offer has boosted my confidence in my knowledge and practical use of the equipment that I’ll be using in the future.

What is your favourite software you use?

As controversial as it may seem, my favourite software that I use is Apple’s Final Cut Pro. Through this video editing software, I’ve created much content both for my university and personal projects. Through using the tools provided in the editing software – I could achieve my artistic direction and convey my creative intent to my audience.

What is your favourite hardware you use?

That is a tricky question! As a film student, I love using cameras and the different gear that goes into film production. My “go-to” cameras that I love using is the Canon C100 and for smaller stuff, I use the Sony AX100. I find it interesting how different technology goes into achieving a particular shot in a film. I also love playing around with gear such as lighting and audio as they are just as crucial as the picture. I love playing with different gels and gobos to achieve certain effects and using different microphones to get a distinct sonic experience.

What projects have you worked on?

I’ve worked on many projects during my time at SAE. This has given me opportunities to develop my skills in all types of functional roles including director, producer, sound, and gaffer.

Externally, I use and hone my skills learned at SAE to my own practice for my freelancing company. You can view the various works here: https://www.haydenhuynhmedia.com/portfolio

I’ve worked on is a documentary project called ‘A Cup of Josie’. I directed the documentary and it is a story of an independent and powerful woman who changes the way we all think of differently-abled people in the workplace.

The topic explored in this documentary is one that is universal to all in which is diversity in the workplace. I wanted to show that anyone regardless of what they are born with – can pursue their aspirations and give it a “red hot go”.

This documentary highlights the universal story of aspiration and diversity – you might have a “Josie” in your local community!

I’d like to give a special thank you to our interview subjects. Without you all, we would not have the stars of the show! Thank you very much Sonya, Amanda, and especially to our leading lady Josie.

I enjoyed making and creating this documentary but I would not have done it without my fellow team members. I would like to give a personal thank you to Brendan, Nino, Kiani, Adrian, and Adam for creating this documentary.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to SAE?

Come and check out what we have to offer. Attend information nights, open days, and workshops to get a taste of what you’re going to get into!

What is Orientation and the first day of SAE like?

Orientation day was a really fun day! I got to befriend new people with like-minded interests and a passion for studying film. It was really fun logging into our student accounts and exploring what the campus has to offer!

Do you have any helpful tips to share with fellow students?

My tip to share with fellow students is to connect with as many people as you can on campus over the different disciplines! You get to meet some really interesting people that will help you in your SAE and passion projects and that are eager to be involved. Another tip that I’d like to share is to take any opportunity that comes to you – this will help gain as much experience in the field that you’ll be working in!

What is the best fun fact about yourself?

The best fun fact about myself is that my background is in the performing arts. The performing arts have made me into an outgoing, fun, and vibrant person! That’s why I love doing the student council things as I love to meet new people.

What have you accomplished that you are most proud of?

The thing that I have accomplished that I am most proud of is creating an event or piece of content that makes everyone happy and enjoy themselves. An example of this is the end-of-trimester parties. The concept of the parties is to unite everyone from different study disciplines to celebrate the end of the trimester and the hard work that we all have put in. A new concept that I have implemented is having performances during the party to give students to showcase their talents in front of their peers. It is a very rewarding experience seeing students supporting each other and everyone enjoying themselves at these parties.

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Our expert lecturers teach both the traditional skills of filmmaking and put students at the forefront of the technologies shaping the future of the craft.
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