When you ask Luke what his favourite part about videoing is, he lights up “Just being able to video stuff. I really enjoy it, that, and editing. I don’t know, there’s just something about it”.
Like some of the best things in life, Luke first discovered his passion for videography by chance. “There was this shop… I don’t remember what it was called but I do remember the first time I saw this particular video camera there…Something just said to me to buy it. So I went back and bought it and started playing around. Over the next 30-odd years I’ve been able to videotape ballroom dancing, and other people dancing, I participate in a church group and video for them too of course. One thing led to another, and I ended up videoing and editing heaps of stuff. And I ended up enjoying it. It happened rather gradually I guess”.
And action.
Luke’s a Community Based Supported Employment trainee and is currently exploring opportunities where he can develop his skills and interest in IT and video production.
One such opportunity was assisting our media team as a camera operator at our recent Building Opportunities, Building Communities Conference—an event that featured leading thinkers and practitioners in the disability space.
“I filmed people speaking, b-roll of people coming and going into conference and a few of the interactive workshops and breakout sessions. I enjoyed it quite a lot even though it was a long day. We started at 9 am and didn’t stop until 3 pm.” Luke said.
From hobby to career
While videography is a hobby for Luke at the moment he says “If I ever was to get paid for it then yes, definitely I would do it as a job. I was just recording a video last week for a group of people which I’m being paid for. And then there’s the paid internship I’m doing as well which is good.”
That paid internship is working with the Tasmanian Prejudice-Related Violence Working Group on their ‘Why do you hate me so?’ community awareness campaign—a campaign that aims to tackle hate crime in marginalised communities. The internship, which Luke started in mid-2022, required him to have experience using videography equipment such as cameras and lighting, and an ability to record large public events as well as small one-on-one interviews.
About the campaign, Luke says “We’re educating the public about hate crimes. Sometimes people may not realise that they’ve been a victim of a hate crime until someone tells them. For example, someone graffitis your driveway with something inappropriate. I was invited to a conference several weeks back where people spoke about different experiences (of hate crime) they’ve had. My job was videoing the conference. It’s good. I enjoy those.”
That’s not all
When he’s not behind the camera, Luke spends his time learning new skills. “I’m studying a computer course, cooking classes and have been taking karate classes on-off for about 5 years”.
Luke’s advice for others looking to pick up something new? “Have a play around with it. Ask people you know for their advice, see what they think and look up any courses you might be interested in. That’s how I’ve learnt.”