Acclaimed filmmaker guest at Media Showcase

Acclaimed filmmaker and author Vanessa Gorman will be the guest speaker at Southern Cross University's Media Showcase on Thursday, October 27 at the Lismore campus.

The Media Showcase is part of Exit 05, a month-long festival featuring the works of SCU students in the visual arts, music and media programs.

Dr Rebecca Coyle, co-ordinator of Media Studies, said the showcase would feature a range of works including video documentary, animation, television journalism and radio features.

The guest speaker is Vanessa Gorman, who has 20 years experience in television documentary production including the ABC's Australian Story, Beyond 2000, Living in the 90s and Review.

In 2001 the ABC aired Vanessa's intimate Video Diary documentary called 'Losing Layla' about the death of her baby daughter just hours after birth, and the journey that followed.

The groundbreaking, award-winning film caused a sensation when it aired for its raw and powerful look at the rollercoaster of grief. Vanessa has also released a book 'Layla's Story'.

Vanessa, who now lives in Northern NSW, said the information and entertainment industry had grown enormously since she entered the industry.

"When I was working for Beyond 2000 we were doing stories on this thing called the world wide web.

"The entertainment and information industry has taken off and there are so many fields you can work in. The need for content is just enormous. These students have chosen a great industry."

Vanessa said her advice to the students was to follow their passion.

"I stayed on the track of telling stories because that was my passion, and I have been able to work on a number of fascinating programs."

The Media Showcase will be held on Thursday (October 27) from 5pm to 6pm, Campus Central, Lismore Campus.