Screen and Media students.
Ciaran Foster always loved stories.
Growing up in Perth, he was drawn to sport, but it was making videos with his siblings and cousins that sparked something bigger.
Experimenting with camera angles, editing techniques and storytelling gave him an early taste of filmmaking.
Then came a film that changed everything.
For Ciaran, watching Boy by acclaimed filmmaker Taika Waititi showed him how a story could be both deeply personal and incredibly entertaining.
It was the moment he realised the power of film.
And it ultimately set him on the path towards a career in the screen industry.
Finding the right creative outlet
Ciaran's journey into film and television wasn't immediate.
He initially enrolled in a Bachelor of Media and Communications, attracted by the broad range of opportunities the course offered.
But after speaking with friends at ECU who were studying Film and Video, he began to see a different possibility for his future.
One where he could collaborate with other creative people and bring stories to life on screen.
That realisation led him to pursue the Film and Television major.
And it quickly felt like the right fit.
Ciaran Foster working on set.
Learning by doing
One of the things Ciaran enjoyed most about studying at ECU was being surrounded by people who shared his passion for storytelling.
He developed practical skills in screenwriting, learning industry-standard formats and story structures, while also gaining valuable experience through collaborative productions.
Outside the classroom, he worked in the student hub, which he describes as the perfect job to have while studying.
What surprised him most, however, was the quality of work being produced by his fellow students.
Many of his classmates have since followed different career paths, but Ciaran still remembers the creativity and professionalism they brought to their projects.
It reinforced an important lesson.
Great stories can come from anyone.
Building creative confidence
Like many aspiring filmmakers, Ciaran faced challenges along the way.
For him, the biggest was learning to embrace creative vulnerability.
It's daunting to watch a short film you wrote and directed in an auditorium full of people, but that's the best exposure possible.
By putting his work out into the world during university, he became more comfortable with feedback, collaboration and creative risk-taking.
Today, those lessons continue to shape his professional career.
He says the confidence he gained while studying has helped him work comfortably on large-scale productions and lead teams in demanding environments.
Ciaran Foster, ECU Alumni.
Life after university
Since graduating, Ciaran has worked on a range of film and television productions.
One of his most memorable experiences came while working on the Netflix film Thrash.
The production involved constructing and flooding a replica town, with cast and crew spending weeks filming in a one-million-litre water tank during the middle of winter.
It's the kind of experience he never imagined while studying at university.
But for Ciaran, it's also proof that the screen industry can take you to unexpected places.
"The film industry is always evolving," he says.
"Persistence and patience are key."
Advice for future filmmakers
Looking back, Ciaran encourages students not to put too much pressure on themselves to have everything figured out.
The film and television industry is built on continuous learning, experimentation and growth.
Many people enter the industry through different pathways and at different stages of life.
His advice is simple.
Focus on developing your skills, connecting with creative people and treating everyone with respect.
Because success in the industry isn't about knowing everything from the beginning.It's about continuing to learn, creating opportunities and taking the next step forward.
Did Ciaran's story resonate with you?
Perhaps it's time to start telling your own story.
If you've read this far, why not start your own adventure in creative humanities?
