USQ graduate lands job with Steven Spielberg

USQ graduate Mark Constable lands plumb job with Steven Spielberg

Normally a university wouldn’t be spruiking about sending its students back in time, but when it is to save the human race, dodge dinosaurs and work with big screen legend Steven Spielberg, that is worthy of an exception.

USQ Springfield campus graduate Mark Constable has reached for the stars and caught one, landing a plum job working on the Steven Spielberg-produced Fox series Terra Nova at the Gold Coast.

The Bachelor of Applied Media (BAM) graduate began working as Assistant Casting Director on the series in April after the pilot episode was approved in the USA and the green light given for 12 new episodes to be shot in Australia.

Mr Constable said he was stoked when he found out his name would appear in the series credits.

'Initially I thought I would be a ghost on the production, but I ended up with a great addition to my CV,' Mr Constable said.

The Terra Nova series follows an ordinary family as they journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race.

In the year 2149 the world is dying from overdevelopment, overcrowding and pollution when scientists discover a portal to prehistoric Earth and decide to make a last-ditch effort to rebuild civilization.

The family soon discover the healthy, vibrant world is not as idyllic as it initially appeared with man-eating dinosaurs and forces intent on destroying the new world before it even begins.

As Assistant Casting Director, Mr Constable’s role will help many actors win the role of a lifetime.

'I read through the scripts and pull out any characters which would appear in the episode and then make test pieces out of the lines and bring people in to audition for the part,' he said.

'Following auditions we discuss who we think would work for what role with the Directors, Producers and Fox and whether the role should be cut or added to and then we offer them a position on the set.'

Mr Constable credits his experience studying the BAM with helping him prepare to take on the role in the big budget American production.

'My Lecturer, Dr Daryl Sparkes challenged me to be great and that is what I set out to do.

'Throughout the three years of my program I produced, wrote and directed many short films, documentaries and radio shows which all added to my CV.

'Once I left, not only did I have great referees who spoke highly of me, but I also had a large CV which displayed my achievements, work and effort.'

Mr Constable said the highlight of his experiences on Terra Nova so far had been meeting all the celebrities who visited the set.

'I have become accustomed to just speaking to people I see on television all the time and when I tell my friends and family and they flip out.'

Mr Constable said he would highly recommend the BAM program to other students.

'I have had a lot of experience working with film students from other established universities and none get the hands on experience you get when completing USQ’s BAM.

'Everyone had fun and the lecturers are easy going and hilarious, they are more of a friend than a lecturer.

'It is the quality of the work that gets you places in this industry, which is why I often go back to USQ to source crew for my newer projects, they get to show what they can do and I get to make another great film, it is win-win.'

USQ BAM Lecturer Dr Daryl Sparkes said he was proud of Mr Constable’s achievements.

'The Bachelor of Applied Media is designed specifically for graduates to access these sorts of high level jobs in the competitive film and television industry. After doing the degree you are employment ready which is what the industry likes,' Dr Sparkes said.

'Ät USQ we maintain strong media industry links to ensure the progression from University to the workplace is successful. Mark is one of many graduates from the BAM who are now working their dream jobs in the film and television industry.

'We ensure all of our graduates are industry ready. Mark’s first job out of University is working with Steven Speilberg. I hear similar stories from previous students all the time.

'It makes me very proud to see that USQ is helping these graduates achieve such wonderful success in their lives.'

Contact Details:
Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119, 0438 309 096