Celebrating graduate Kirra Hampson

The creative community that Kirra found in her Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting allowed her to develop her creative craft and explore new areas of filmmaking.

Kirra is a queer first nations student who moved to Melbourne to continue her studies.

“I had a friend who had enrolled in a photography diploma who knew I had a love for writing,” she explained.

“I had done tertiary and vocational study before, and I had a good feeling about the Advanced Diploma.”

Kirra’s Advanced Diploma provided her with constant opportunities to create and collaborate with other students, something she had not anticipated when she began the course.

The opportunity to discuss theoretical and practical methods of filmmaking with her peers provided Kirra with the opportunity to develop her writing in new and interesting ways.

“Writing can be very individualistic as a craft for a lot of people,” she said.

“Getting to sit in classrooms and bounce ideas off of others has been really enlightening for my own practice.”

Kirra’s university experience was not without its challenges, however opportunities to collaborate with her peers allowed her to overcome obstacles.

Creative study is always a bit of a beast in that it’s very personal. Learning to balance how invested you become without burning out your creative energy is something I grappled with during my studies.

The community of filmmakers she found in her course allowed Kirra to work on short films, podcasts, and other forms of media outside of classes.

Finding like-minded people who share her passion for filmmaking was an “enriching experience” according to Kirra, who was able to create a network of not just potential colleagues, but friends.

Some of Kirra’s biggest inspirations are masters of their craft.

“My classmates can tell you I never shut up about people like Jordan Peele or Kevin Williamson.”

“Jordan Peele said ‘write your favourite movie you haven’t seen’ and I’ve held onto that.”

“He has discussed many times how horror as a genre is the ultimate social commentary, which I completely understand as a young, queer and indigenous woman.

His philosophies around writing horror and comedy really helped me when taking on large projects in my second year of the Advanced Diploma.”

After graduating, Kirra aims to continue studying at RMIT to broaden her skillset and expand her experience. Kirra will also continue to collaborate with her fellow graduates on future projects, having created a strong network with like-minded peers throughout her course.

Kirra has had many valuable experiences throughout her time at RMIT, and was eager to share her tips for new students and future graduates alike:

Don’t be afraid of giving your all to your work: “Once I let go of the fear of what other people would think about my ideas and how loud I was about them, I flourished.”

You get what you give: “Give your best self and stay open to learning and growing - you’re going to get the most out of it. Go forth and nerd out!”

Don’t worry about living up to expectations: “You got into the course because your talent and passion were obvious, and now you’re graduating because you took that talent and passion and applied it to your work.”

Don’t let the spark fizzle out: “Work ethic and love of the craft will carry you where you need to be.”

11 December 2023

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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Celebrating graduate Kirra Hampson