Australian Film and Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has been renamed the biggest sound stage to recognize the contributions of the Meyer family to the school.
The AFTRS Studio 1 rename and dedication ceremony took place at the school last Friday, with Andrew Myer and his wife, Kerry Gardner joining AFTRS staff, students, AFTRS Council members, scholarship recipients and AFTRS donors.
Since 1987, the Kenneth Meyer Fellowship has paid over $2.5 million in awards, fellowships, First Nations and equity scholarships, benefiting more than 200 students.
After Ken and his wife Yasuko tragically died in a crash crash of a float plane in Alaska in 1992, the Meyers helped them take over his legacy, establishing an AV Meyers fellowship in digital media in 1996, and Andrew later made a personal donation in 2001 to broaden the scope and impact of the fellowship.
A skilled producer with 14 Australian film credits, Andrew Meyer was chairman and vice-chairman of the Melbourne International Film Festival for 17 years, providing strategic guidance and governance to AFTRS as vice-chairman from 1997 to 2001.
Speaking Friday, Meyer noted that in many ways his career in the industry was shaped by the “talented people” he met and the experiences he had at school.
“It’s a thrill to have Kelly and I in this incredible space on this occasion. I’m sure my father Ken was deeply respected by this epic gesture of this extraordinary film, television and radio school,” he said.
This place means a lot to me, and in many ways my career in “business” was shaped by the talented people I met and the experiences I experienced here.
“I am truly delighted and honored, and I am pleased that so many people benefited from my father’s school and my involvement.
Rachel Perkins, Ismail Kahn, Andrew Meyer. (Image: Floor Valeriradot)
Acclaimed film director Robert Connolly was one of the earliest recipients of Kenneth Meyer Fellowship productions he received in 1995.
In a pre-recorded message, Arenamedia’s director/producer thanked Andrew Myer, noting that the fellowship was the first time someone has invested financially in his career.
“Over the years, Andy, I’ve seen the incredible work you’ve done supporting filmmakers through fellowships. The impact was enormous. Many filmmakers, like me, stepped out of that support.”
More recent recipients include major Australian screen creatives, including Catriona Mackenzie, Genevieve Clay Smith, Vanessa Gasey, John Harvey, Andrew Lee and Ismail Khan, who spoke at the event on Friday.
Since then, after directing television episodes written for shows such as Barrumbi Kids, Heartbreak High and Bump, Khan said the scholarship will allow him to “put his head down” and work towards developing a story that he feels connected and makes other students want to be involved and committed.
“And that crew all started with scripts, a script that I could imagine and write for six months thanks to the freedom from the financial stress the scholarship provided,” he said.
In dedicating Studio to the Myer family, AFTRS Chair Rachel Perkins has enabled the Kenneth Myer Fellowship to become the engine that promotes access and inclusion in AFTRS, allowing schools to meet their missions and to provide access to world-leading training and education for all Australians.
“The Meyer surname in many aspects of Australian life is synonymous with integrity, vision, entrepreneurialism and, importantly, care for others,” she said.
“So we are so honored to carry this most well-known name on this most important sound stage,” she said.
