Stephen Murdoch

One of the course lecturers once told me to be confident in what this course has taught me and be open to the opportunities that it can present. I chose to listen to that advice and now currently work as a Film and Television Stunt Performer. I have had the opportunity to work on projects such as The Great Gatsby, Mad Max Fury Road, The Hobbit and the latest installment of Pirates of the Caribbean.

I chose Human Movement (now Sport and Exercise Science) because I have always been interested in exercise, sport and human physiology. My research into this course provided me with a resounding answer to apply to UTS. All comments and reviews that I was able to find about the University were that of high esteem and credibility for its successful graduates. Looking back as a graduate, the range of jobs I have been offered in health, fitness and education are a testament to the quality of UTS and the course.  Knowing that there is always a job for me to step into is what helped give me the confidence to pursue my career in film the first place.

I initially entered University feeling out of my depth and overwhelmed. However, within the first few weeks of the course, this was turned around. It would be impossible to complete a semester of this degree without the tutors or lecturers knowing your name and having a basic idea about how you learn. One particular lecturer even remembered my application for the course itself. With the ongoing support of UTS staff, I was able to turn my weakness of mathematics into a strength. This developed into a strong interest that is now utilized in my field work that includes biomechanics.

Everyone’s experience regarding course content and level of difficulty does differ, but the course can be as engaging and interesting as you want it to be. If you push yourself, this enthusiasm will be met by your lecturers. They will continue to have high expectations of your ability and you will learn more than if you were to cruise on by. The information I have gained from the course has been put to ongoing use in my day to day work. I frequently use biomechanics to understand how to minimize the forces my body is subjected to during a stunt fall or when rotating in a harness on a wire. I also utilize many of the psychology tools to manage my motivation and anxiety when training for particular stunts.

My degree has been invaluable in preparing me for the workplace. I started this course as a typical teenager with a limited sense of urgency and professionalism, but soon learnt how to organize and prioritise my workload. It taught me planning and analytical skills, as well as the ability to write and convey myself in such a way that I have been able to connect and develop strong networks within my profession.