For Gen and Tony, what began as “two people in a room with a camera” evolved into Stranger Films, one of Queensland's leading film production companies, working with agencies, brands and organisations to tell stories that make a positive impact. Their journey from QUT graduates to co-founders of Stranger Films highlights how a career in the creative industries isn't built on technical expertise alone. It's built on adaptability, collaboration and the confidence to keep learning as industries change.
Learning through real-world experience
When Gen and Tony reflect on their time at QUT, the practical nature of their studies stands out. Rather than learning only the creative aspects of filmmaking, they gained hands-on experience across the full production lifecycle, from developing ideas and pitching concepts through to production and marketing.
“There was a focus on practical skills as well as knowledge and applying it all through real-world industry workloads and processes.”
This kind of real-world learning mirrors the way today's creative industries operate. Success often depends on understanding not only your own specialisation, but also how ideas move from concept to audience. QUT emphasises work-integrated learning to help students build this practical understanding early, preparing them to contribute confidently in professional environments.
Why multidisciplinary skills matter in creative careers
The creative industries are constantly evolving. New technologies, changing audience behaviours and emerging platforms mean graduates need more than a single technical skillset. For Gen and Tony, one of the most valuable aspects of their course was the opportunity to work across different creative roles.
“We were given experience across a lot of these different roles, which gave us the confidence to experiment, to take risks.”
That breadth of experience helped shape them into what they describe as “multi-skilled creatives”, capable of adapting as the industry changes. Today, that flexibility remains a critical part of their success and is a mindset that reflects what employers increasingly value: professionals who combine creative thinking with technical capability, problem-solving skills and a willingness to continuously learn.
“My passion is directing, but I'm never afraid to grab a camera, shoot something, dive into a script or a schedule or a spreadsheet. Because sometimes that's just what the job needs.”
Building a career that can evolve with the industry
Sustainable careers aren't built by standing still. As a producer, Gen says that having experience across different disciplines helps her understand both creative opportunities and production challenges.
“I have experience across different roles, so I know the impact of what I'm asking for, but also some of the potential problems.”
This ability to see projects from multiple perspectives has become increasingly important in an industry where collaboration is essential and roles often overlap.
“There was an emphasis on entrepreneurship. So the skills you learn aren't fixed to that particular role or industry; they can be adapted to the jobs that emerge and the industry that's changing. Having that mindset future proofs your career.”
The value of community beyond graduation
For Gen and Tony, graduating didn't mean leaving their QUT network behind.
“The relationship didn’t end once we graduated. Once we started our business, QUT and its network were there to support us, to guide us.”
Today, with their productions growing in scale and complexity they are helping shape the next generation of creative professionals. Their story demonstrates that career success is often driven not only by what you learn, but also by the community you build along the way.
A catalyst for what's next
Looking back, both Gen and Tony describe QUT as the catalyst that helped launch their careers. The combination of practical learning, interdisciplinary experience and industry connections gave them the confidence to build something of their own and the adaptability to keep growing as opportunities evolved.
“We joined this community of driven, entrepreneurial and clever creatives, and we're excited and ready for what comes next.”
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