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Meet Michael Philips – your Key Educator for this course.

Intro to this week's learning
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Hi, I’m Michael Phillips. I’m a Production Design lecturer at AFTRS, and I’ve always loved films. I became a film maker simply by being in the right place at the right time, which happened to be Zimbabwe » in the 1980’s. I was working as a freelance architect in Harare when a film production called, asking if I’d like to draft some sets for them. » And when the camera turned over on that very first film set, I remember my heart thumping with excitement. From draftsman I moved on to set designer and then worked my way, film by film, up the Art Department ladder. I was listening, watching, and learning through apprenticeship.
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I worked on fine films like Cry Freedom, and A World Apart, but also on many lesser productions. » And it didn’t matter. I loved them all, because every day on a film is unique. Every problem and solution brand new and challenging. So every day I learnt more about the craft. » I designed a few films in Africa before migrating to Australia where I’ve lived ever since designing dozens of features and hundreds of shorts and commercials. » But even now today, when someone on set calls ‘turnover’, I feel that thrill, that little flutter in my chest because I still love films and I feel privileged to have made them my living.

Welcome to this short course on Introduction to Production Design for Film and Screen.

Here on this video we meet Michael Philips, Product Design Director from the Australia Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and your Key Educator for this course.

If you’re new to FutureLearn, you may wish to check out our guides to getting started on the platform and learning online.

If you do complete 90% of the steps and get 70% of greater in final test you, will be able to claim a free digital Certificate of Achievement from AFTRS and FutureLearn, thanks to #StudyAustralia.

Hit Mark as Complete once you’re ready and move on to the next step!

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Introduction to Production Design for Film and Screen

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