Docklands Studios is developing into an important screen hub for industry organisations. This year we’ve assisted by providing Guilds with a meeting venue, a conference venue for Open Channel and a sound stage for an ACS mini tradeshow.

The Studio is the principal sponsor of the Australian Production Designer’s Guild (APDG) which is committed to raising the profile of screen design and recognising outstanding art department achievements. There is natural synergy between the APDG and the Studio because we offer designers a world-class platform where they can showcase their ability and do their best work. In October the Victoria Chapter hosted it State award nominations with designers, Cappi Ireland, Roland Pike and Jo Ford being nominated for projects including I, Frankenstein, Nowhere Boys and The Rover among others.

The Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) staged a mini tradeshow, “I Like to Move It”, at the Studio in November. This expo showcased a variety of camera platforms from dollies to drone-operated cameras. The increased interest from DOPs, producers and directors regarding new camera kit availability in Victoria, make the Studio an ideal place to showcase this.

Australian online video creators attract large audiences sometimes on par with their film and television counterparts. In October, Open Channel’s “Generation Next: Online Video Conference” at Docklands Studios explored the changing nature of visual storytelling to audiences in a digital, immersive and multi-screen environment. On the back of this event, Open Channel held its inaugural Australian Online Video Awards, to recognise talent across many categories including comedy, animation and factual series.

Open Channel Award

OVA winners, Danny and Michael Phillipou, Open Channel executive director, Marc Gracie and Elizabeth Ferdon, YouTube LA business development executive.