Behind the Scenes with Old Scholar Erin Cutts (2013)

Visiting Pembroke recently to catch up with some of my past teachers, I was undeniably surprised when Mr Ferrier exclaimed, ‘I have to show you the current Year 10 students’ artworks, their recent project was inspired by your Year 12 artwork on letterboxes’. That is the magic about a school like Pembroke – students continue to influence each other for years to come; sometimes without even realising it.

To say I had a passion for The Arts would be a dramatic understatement. Performing on stage from the age of six, it was no surprise my favourite subjects were always Drama, Art and English. It didn’t matter that I lacked some of the traditional skills favoured for artists (e.g. the ability to draw in a straight line). Teachers like Mr Ferrier, Mr O’Loughlin and Mrs Brewerton consistently encouraged me to think outside the box and experiment with different materials, methods and mediums. Their generous tutelage will never be lost on me. I’m forever grateful for the endless hours spent fostering my creative spirit in the Art classrooms, and the artistic skills I still use today.

Some of my best memories and career inspiration came from years studying Drama. Writing and directing a short film for the Year 10 Unreel Film Festival sparked a passion for filmmaking I never knew I had. The experience working on Front of House/Publicity Design for our SACE Year 12 Production of Abandonment showcased that acting wasn’t the only means to sate my love of storytelling. Nothing will ever compare to the bond forged between a Year 12 Drama class working collaboratively and creatively as a team, with a steadfast leader like Mrs Feldhoff at the helm.

Unlike my friends, confident of their career paths as doctors, engineers and lawyers, there is no traditional pathway for a career in The Arts. We’re often told that artistic industries are too risky, competitive and unstable, or that we should have a backup career in case everything fails – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to follow your dreams. Hearing of a Pembroke old scholar who was thriving studying Film and Television at Bond University, I applied for a scholarship there on a whim. After all, if filmmaking brought me so much joy in Year 10, maybe this was a possible career path. A few months later,

The two years studying at Bond University were transformative. The connections I made with my peers and teachers were paramount, while the experience moving interstate furthered a high degree of independence, adaptability and emotional resilience necessary for anyone seeking a career in the forever changing entertainment landscape. Soon after graduating university, I was recommended by a lecturer and gained my first industry job in the Production Office of a feature film. Following that moment, I’ve spent the last nine years working non-stop in production offices in nearly every state of Australia, for companies such as Netflix, Stan, Amazon and NBCU.

Working freelance in the film and television industry isn’t for the faint hearted. As a Production Coordinator, I’m on call 24/7 during production – coordinating schedules and logistics, managing the cast/crew and constantly solving any challenges that could hinder the production. The hours are long (50-75 hours a week), the locations often remote and the lifestyle can be described as ‘living out of a suitcase’. You need to be hardworking, tenacious and respectful to nurture the relationships and network needed for a career where your next job is found through who you know. But if you are passionate about filmmaking and love it like I do, there is nothing greater than working in an industry where no day is ever the same.

From filming a mystery-drama in the stunning landscapes of Tasmania, to a hilarious cop comedy-drama in the croc-infested waters of the Northern Territory or a US sitcom based on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s life, I’ve been fortunate to work on a diverse range of projects with some of the best in the business. While everyone always asks for a name drop of the biggest celebrities or productions I’ve worked with, it’s the experiences on a series about the Royal Flying Doctors in Broken Hill I’ll always choose to highlight. There was no greater reminder of the importance of telling Australian stories than having to halt filming because the location we were using as the plane hangar set (the actual RFDS base) needed to be cleared for a plane to land with a real patient experiencing a medical emergency. Working on a production which showcases the importance of such an incredible charity, while still entertaining, educating and moving audiences, is something I will always be proud of.

As the Class of 2025 prepares to begin their next chapter, I hope they realise just how lucky they are to be guided and inspired by the teachers and students before us. While it might not seem like every lesson taught at school was important for all our future careers – the experiences, knowledge and relationships built at Pembroke will continue to shape who we are for years to come.

For those pursuing a career in the creative industries, I hope you follow your dreams and take that leap, no matter how many people tell you not to. There is no greater privilege than to tell stories for a living, in whatever artistic medium you may choose. And for those who rely on the creative industries for solace and entertainment – remember to stay back to watch the credits next time you’re at the cinema, read the artist statements at your local gallery and study the program at the theatre; you never know which Pembroke old scholars’ names you might see.

Erin Cutts (2013)
Old scholar