‘Shape-shifter’ makes the cut for filmmaking gong

When Bunbury filmmaker Hayden Fortescue first saw Indiana Jones as a 10-year-old, he had his heart set on being an archaeologist.

He then realised Harrison Ford was an actor, and soon set his sights on drama school.

It was lucky he finally settled on becoming a film writer, producer and director because last week he was announced as a nominee for the Young Filmmaker of the Year prize, in the WA Screen Awards.

Mr Fortescue said growing up in Bunbury had given him many opportunities in his early teens.

“All my base skill levels for editing and camera work I learnt at GWN and Lomax Media, ” Mr Fortescue said.

“There are probably too many of those sorts of companies in Perth that don’t take people on as long or as easily — they have more time to teach people here.”

Mr Fortescue has just finished producing his first feature film Broken Contract, starring former Home and Away actor Esther Anderson.

Mr Fortescue said innovation and flexibility were key factors in his success in the industry.

“I’m a little bit of a Swiss army knife so I can slip into a lot of different roles. You can find work if you are willing to be a bit of a shape-shifter and willing to go to where the film is.”

The winner will be announced on July 14.