Based out of our Byron Bay campus, Ash discovered his passion for visual storytelling while travelling Australia. What began as documenting his adventures through photography soon evolved into filmmaking, leading him to enrol in our Bachelor of Film course.
Throughout his studies, Ash combined classroom learning with real-world industry experience, building his skills both on campus and by working on professional productions. Through connections made during his degree, he secured opportunities working with local production company Value Imagery, gaining hands-on experience that helped shape his career direction.
Ash credits SAE’s collaborative environment and practical approach to learning as key influences on his development as a filmmaker.
“SAE for me kind of went hand in hand with work that I did on set during my degree. I was learning a lot of the up-to-date technical stuff through people on set teaching me about the newest equipment.”
Today, Ash is focused on documentary and adventure filmmaking, drawing inspiration from authentic, human-centred storytelling and the natural world. His long-term goal is to create films for organisations such as Patagonia and National Geographic, combining his love of filmmaking with a passion for exploration.
Reflecting on the kind of work he hopes to create, Ash said:
“I want to kind of capture just what life is – the reality of it, the authenticity. In today’s age, I’m not very inspired by heavily effects-driven work, VFX and AI especially. What I would like my style to be is just that kind of natural, grounded cinematography.”
The SAE x Format Portfolio Award celebrates students who demonstrate creativity, intention and professionalism through their online portfolio. As this year’s recipient, Ash was awarded a lifetime Format subscription to support the next stage of his creative career.
His key piece of advice for current and future film students:
“You get out what you put in. No one’s going to hand you opportunities. And having a great team, great collaborators, is so impactful.”
We’re incredibly proud to see Ash recognised for his talent and dedication, and we can’t wait to see where his filmmaking journey takes him next!
Keen to follow in Ash’s footsteps? Check out our range of film courses or book a call with our Course Advisors for more info.
