New academy a gamechanger for the Victorian screen industry

L to R: VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher, Framestore Head of Studio Melbourne Lara Hopkins, Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks, CG Spectrum co-founder Jeff Pepper. Photo by Daniel Mahon.

As Victoria’s screen industry continues to attract high profile films and create smash hit games, the Victorian Government, through VicScreen is investing in our next generation of screen professionals – cementing the state’s reputation as a global screen powerhouse 

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today visited Academy Award® winning visual effects house Framestore to announce the establishment of the GameChanger Academy – an Australian-first, animation, visual effects (VFX) and games training provider that will be run by specialist provider CG Spectrum.  

Backed by a $3.6 million investment by the Victorian Government and delivered in partnership with VicScreen, the GameChanger Academy will help local creatives pursue careers in the film and digital games industry, supporting the growing demand for highly skilled screen practitioners. 

The GameChanger Academy will deliver world-leading training at a new studio space, offer mentoring from local and international experts and offer real-world studio experience. Bachelor’s degrees and post-graduate courses will both be available including the Good to Great 12-week immersive post-graduate certificate for people with industry experience, and the Elevate program which will upskill those already working in the sector to grow their careers and leadership capabilities.  

Students of the GameChanger Academy will use cutting-edge technologies and learn the latest industry practices through partnerships with a range of Melbourne VFX, digital games and animation studios. 

Victoria has the largest digital games workforce in the country and is home to world leading VFX, post-production and animation companies that have worked on globally celebrated film and television projects including Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Deadpool & Wolverine, Ted and leading games such as Call of Duty and The Sims. 

GameChanger Academy will open for student enrolments on Monday 14 October 2024, with the first courses to commence in February 2025 with further courses to roll out next year. To find out more visit www.cgspectrum.com. 

Quote attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks 

“Victoria’s VFX, games and animation professionals are producing some of the most loved films and games across the globe. The GameChanger Academy, combined with our Rebate will ensure that Victoria has more skilled workers to and more projects to keep the industry buzzing for many years to come.”  

Quotes attributable to VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher 

“We know that to keep pace with the rapid advancements in VFX, digital games, and animation, the Victorian screen sector needs more industry-informed education and training for our thriving screen industry.” 

“The Game Changer Academy will create a steady stream of job-ready graduates equipped to join this exciting creative and technical workforce, while also sharpening the skill sets of mid-career and senior talent that will advance Victoria a global centre for screen production.” 

Quotes attributable to CG Spectrum co-founder Jeff Pepper 

“We're thrilled the Victorian Government and VicScreen recognise CG Spectrum as a world class educator in games, animation and VFX. The GameChanger Academy is a significant investment in the next generation of industry leaders, upskilling current screen professionals and training a new cohort of job ready graduates.” 

“We believe the GameChanger Academy has the potential to become a global lighthouse for learning and development within the VFX, animation and games industries.”