Faculty of Science and Information Technology

Ms Susan Kerrigan

Since 2003, Susan has been employed at the University of Newcastle as an academic, teaching Video Production in the Bachelor of Communication degree. She is currently half way through a PhD in Communication and Media Arts. The creative works to be produced are a 50 minute documentary and an online documentary which will investigate the Producer/Writer/Director's creative process for cross platform low budget documentary productions.

Previously employed by ABC Television, Sydney (1987-2003), Susan worked in production across a variety of departments: News, Science, Sit-Com and Drama, to eventually produce and direct 20 episodes of Play School and 18 months of Mixy Breakfast Hostings. Other highlights include 40 hours of continuity credits on Australian Drama TV productions (including Wildside, GP, Big Sky ) and 150 hours as a DA/PA on studio -based, live and pre-packaged television programming.

• Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies)(University of Newcastle)

Awards:

1. Celebration of Ability Media Awards in 1999
   One of my Play School episodes received a “Highly Commended” award - the episode featured Sofia, who is deaf. Sofia used sign language and speech to communicate with the audience.
2. Commonwealth Broadcasting Association
   “Highly Commended 1996” for a “Single Camera Continuity Course”, where I was a “Craft Specialist”.

• 2003- Current Lecturer in Communication
• 1998-2002 ABC Television Producer/Director
  Classification: Program Maker, Band 6
• 1992-1998 ABC Television Producer/Directors' Assistant Classification: Drama Continuity Craft Specialist, Merit Level
• 1990-1992 ABC Television Newsroom
  Director's Assistant and News Operations Assistant
• 1987-1989 Bachelor of Arts (Communications Studies)
  The University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies) Majoring in Video Production
• Producer/Director at ABC – Television
  I have Produced and Directed over 40 hours of Children's Television. I was responsible for editorial and creative control over content for Broadcast programs, website online content, and input into new Broadband productions. Programs I worked on are listed below.
  • Mixy
    Scriptwriting, Directing studio - Digital single camera, Digital Post Production. Mixy is a pink puppet, she hosted morning television for 30 minutes a week. Mixy would entertain her audience by dressing up, singing, dancing and playing with her neighbor “Joe”
  • Play School
    Scriptwriting, Directing Multi-camera Studio, Digital Post Production. In 12 months I created 20 programs and one location special called “Jobs for the Boys' which involved shooting 30 minutes single camera in 12 hours
  • Continuity- ABC TV Drama
    I worked on 43 hours of Television Drama doing “Continuity”. As a Continuity Craft specialist I trained numerous staff on the job and I coordinated a Continuity Training course for 6 participants in 1995. Continuity requires a meticulous mind. A comprehensive understanding of drama and dramatic flow of a script and character. Expertise in camera placement, and shot coverage of a scene for single camera and multi-camera shoots, whilst addressing the visual needs of postproduction. Some say it's the hardest job on a film set. Programs I worked on are listed below:
    • Wildside - 18 episodes (Actors: Tony Martin, Rachel Blake)
    • Big Sky - 8 episodes (Actors: Gary Sweet)
    • Children's Hospital - 4 episodes
    • Fallen Angels - 8 episodes (Actors: Garry McDonald)
    • G.P. - 17 episodes (Actors: Steve Bisley, Melissa Jaffa, Zoe Garedies, Michael
    • The Butterfly's Wings - 1 episode
    • Pacific Drive - 5 episodes
    • After The Beep - 1 episode Sit Com (Actors: Genevive Lemon)
    • 3 Men And A Baby Grand - 5 episodes Sketch Comedy (Actors: Jonathan Biggins, Phillip Scott, Drew Forsythe)
  • Producer's Assistant- ABC Television
    I worked as a Producer's Assistant in the ABC Science Unit on these programs. As a P.A I was expected to work unsupervised whilst carrying out extensive Analogue Post Production bookings, and log copyright material. The names of the Programs I worked on are listed below.
    • Quantum - 30 episodes, Magazine Science
    • A Question Of Survival - 50 Episodes, Magazine Science episodes
    • Racing The Sun - 30 minute Science Documentary, Unit Manager on location
    • After The Flood - 50 minute Environmental Documentary
  • Starting Out with ABC Television
    I joined the ABC mid 1990, as an auto-cue operator on the 7pm News. When I left News and Current Affairs Department in 1992. I was working as a Director's Assistant. D.A.'s love the adrenalin buzz of working on “Live to Air” programs from the studio control room. Specific skills are accuracy in timing and rolling tapes live to air. Being a team player is essential too. I thrived in this environment whilst doing….
    7pm News, World at Noon, Late News, Lateline, Sports News, The ICAC Debate