Some of Queensland’s best YouTubers will be placed in the spotlight and given access to state-of-the-art production facilities thanks to the Creator Originals Awards.
Griffith University LiveLab Creative Director Richard Fabb said those selected for the Creator Original Awards, launched last week, would have the opportunity to work with crews at Griffith University and QUT to bring their creative ideas and projects to life in a professional environment.
The winners of the first tier of the competition could also travel to YouTube Space in Los Angeles, the flagship location for creators to produce video content, learn new skills, and collaborate with the YouTube creative community.
“This project gives these talented individuals the opportunity to take their ideas to the next level and reach a potentially huge audience worldwide,” Mr Fabb said.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Minister for Innovation Leeanne Enoch launched the Creator Originals Awards at the Powerhouse today, together with Screen Queensland’s CEO Tracey Vieira.
Mr Fabb explained that to participate in the competition, YouTubers needed to have a following of at least 30,000 people to enter the top tier and 10,000 for the second tier.
Griffith University Film and Screen Media student Jake Lofven, who has more than 12,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel Grimbleism where he creates short film content and music videos for local Brisbane bands, is keen to enter the competition.
“I’ve grown my following gradually over the last four years. It’s great to be able to experiment with short one minute films, and share this with my audience regularly, rather than having to produce longer form content,” he said.
One of a series of Creator Days was also staged today, bringing together YouTube experts, entrepreneurs, producers, content creators, industry partners, students and teachers to learn and collaborate on projects.
Mr Fabb said platforms like YouTube were increasingly relevant for organisations like Griffith University.
“Students are part of a generation that don’t engage with traditional media. They live their lives online,” he said.
“So for Griffith University to be able to partner our students with some of the top YouTube creators in Queensland is a really remarkable opportunity, and one which will pay huge dividends for our students as they themselves look to potentially create their own careers on platforms like YouTube.”
Griffith University Deputy Vice Chancellor Engagement Martin Betts said: “The program was part of Griffith University’s commitment to engaging with local partners like Half Brick, and global partners like YouTube.”
“Creative digital innovations like this help create jobs and growth in Queensland, providing opportunities for graduates and allowing Griffith University research to be relevant and influential. This is a great initiative and we’re delighted to be so involved in it,” he said.
LiveLab is the commercial production arm of Griffith Film School, operating as an in-house production studio, the only one of its kind in Australia, and offering students a unique opportunity to work in the industry while studying.
Create Queensland is a partnership between Advance Queensland, YouTube, QUT, Griffith University, QUT Creative Enterprise Australia and Screen Queensland.