First published 7 July 2026
A music video created by QUT film and screen students, for QUT music student Bess Egerton, has attracted thousands of views on YouTube and been played on the ABC TV program Rage.
The video for Bug Party, the latest song by Bess, who is in the final stint of her three-year degree and is known professionally as Hag, was filmed by third year film and screen students for as one of their third-year, major capstone film productions.
“The Bug Party music video is the result of a fantastic collaboration between the QUT School of Creative Arts disciplines,” said Professor Mark Ryan, QUT Academic Lead, Research Training, and Professor in Film and Screen.
“As well as showcasing the amazing, original talent of Bess, being selected for broadcast on such an iconic music program as Rage is a coup for our film and screen students and what they have produced for their Advanced Screen Production Contexts assignment.
“To top it off, the video also stars QUT acting student Ella Den Engelsman who graduated earlier this year.”
For Bess, who juggles her study with a full position in artist support with Gyro Music Distribution, along with her work as a music producer and session musician, the collaboration with her fellow students was inspiring.
“It has been incredibly meaningful and a real full-circle moment for me to collaborate with the QUT film and screen students on this music video. Back in 2022, I was enrolled as a film student and completed this exact unit, where I directed the music video for my brother's (THE ZON) song, 'Atreyu',” said Bess.
“It's been so special to come back and experience the process from the other side, and to see how much the productions have grown. It was also a real privilege to simply be a fly on the wall and watch such a talented team bring this project to life, without carrying the stress that usually comes with being behind the camera.”
Having the Bug Party video selected for airplay on Rage is something Bess describes as a dream come true.
“My dad and I watch Rage together every other Saturday to kick off the weekend, so the thought of something I've made appearing on a program I've grown up loving is pretty surreal,” she said.
“It's also a reminder of how important Australian media is in supporting emerging artists. Opportunities like this can have such a huge impact on local musicians, and I'm incredibly grateful to be part of it.”
Bess’ experience as a QUT student has given her vital industry experience and helped her launch her career which is already getting her noticed. As well as Rage, her work has been featured on the Triple J Unearthed program.
One particularly valuable opportunity has been her involvement with the QUT-based, student run Vermilion Records, as both an artist and a producer. Now, in her final semester, she has been Head of Production there.
“Vermilion Records has had a huge impact on my career. It encouraged me to play my very first Hag headline show, which felt like a big milestone. I'd always performed with other bands and projects, so stepping out under my own name was incredibly rewarding,” Bess said.
“Beyond that, Vermilion has given me countless opportunities to develop as a producer. It created a space where I could experiment, make mistakes, collaborate with artists and build a body of work that I'm genuinely proud of. More than anything, it gave me experience, and that's what I've always wanted most. Looking back, I honestly couldn't have asked for a better university experience.”
Professor Ryan said QUT Open Day on Sunday 26 July would provide the perfect opportunity for future students to find out more about the experiences they can expect studying creative industries and other subjects.
Bug Party QUT student crew
- Producer – Ben Worthington
- Director – Jia Syuan Lin
- Writer – Josiah Economids
- 1st Assistant Director – Tristan Pinna
- Cinematographer – Jay Kesby
- Editor – Abigail Tausney
- Gaffer – Teagan O’Sullivan
- Production Designer – Dylan Schott
- Production Assistant – Jenna Bright
- 1st Camera Assistant – Summer Wilson
- Art Assistant – Ruby Todman
- Assistant Editor – Laura Yao
- Lighting Assistant - Josiah Economids
- Sound Recordist – Kasun Abeyratne
- Data Wrangler - Summer Wilson
- Continuity - Laura Yao
- Colourist - Abigail Tausney
- Make Up Artist – Azz Buckley-Oldfield
Main image: QUT film students Joey Lin (left) and Jay Kesby with Bess Egerton. Photo: Abigail Tausney
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver
QUT Media
media@qut.edu.au
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
