What has your professional journey been since completing your course?
Mitch: Since Deakin, I got a job as an editor of TVCs and online videos, which quickly turned into a producer role, then a director role. Some hobby projects evolved into shows for Channel 31, then some content for ABC, and now ongoing television for SBS.
Describe your current professional role and future career goals.
Mitch: Producing TV for another 5 years would be great! But even more varied and diverse content than what it is now. Expanding into drama would be amazing. I don’t have any urges to go to the US or anything, I think there’s plenty of opportunities here if you look for them. Especially these days with the rise of streaming services, there’s not so much of the whole “exclusively relying on commercial networks” to give you a leg up.
What advice would you give graduates wanting to pursue a similar profession?
Mitch: Make stuff. Always make stuff. Help your friends make stuff. Every single thing you make is another huge step in refining your skills and getting you where you need to be. It doesn’t matter if the script you wrote doesn’t get made, you still made a script. It doesn’t matter if your short film doesn’t get into a festival, you’ve still made this wonderful thing where you’ve learned and discovered and grown. Make another one. Everything creative is important. Also, be kind. Be a leader in kindness and you’ll automatically surround yourself with people who want to work with you.
What was the most beneficial aspect of your course at Deakin?
Mitch: Meeting people. Sounds trivial, but to be able to develop and refine skills while friends are also doing the same is infinitely more motivating and stimulating. Each of us discovered our own trades while working together, and today we still work together in a professional industry context. Constantly working on each other’s various projects at uni helped streamline that.
Tell us about your experience of Deakin’s teaching staff and their connections with industry.
Mitch: I didn’t think of it much while I was a student, but upon reflection, the wisdom of the teaching staff was pretty integral to shaping my view and getting prepared for industry work.
What has been the biggest influence on your career?
Mitch: I think Australian television itself has influenced me. It’s a weird fascinating beast, and while it’s always dismissed in the worldwide oeuvre of content, there’s lots to like and there’s lots of ridiculousness to experience. I grew up watching it and wanting to be a part of it.
Mitch McTaggart is the writer and director of ‘The Last Year of Television’, which was broadcast on SBS Viceland.
Mitch completed Honours and an undergraduate Film and Digital Media degree* with Animation minor at Deakin University
*course now titled Bachelor of Film, Television and Animation.