Free screen courses help Cairns residents join Black Snow TV series

By Greg Chapman

Cairns residents Grace Meyers and Morgan Jago’s participation in two free CQUniversity micro-credentials for costume assistants has helped them secure a position on the Stan original television series, Black Snow.

Starring Travis Fimmel, Black Snow is a six-part series set to begin filming its third season at Screen Queensland Studios in Cairns in April. The production follows Detective James Cormack as he risks everything to solve a decades-old murder in Far North Queensland.

Grace and Morgan’s appointments to the show’s costume department highlights the impact of a suite of six free micro-credentials developed by CQU, in partnership with Screen Queensland. 

“I feel really good because I am working in a job in a field that I love...I'm grateful for the connection through the University,” Morgan said.

Grace said she heard about the opportunity with Black Snow after she completed the workshop.

“I was advised about a production that was about to start filming in April at the Screen Queensland Studios. With the help of CQU’s Jan Cattoni and Jean Turbull I was able to reach out to the Costume Supervisor of Black Snow Season three,” Grace said.

“I had an interview with both the supervisor and the Costume Designer, and after some further discussion, I was offered a position to assist in various roles across the Black Snow costume department.”

Designed to prepare participants for entry-level crew roles, the micro-credential courses offer a practical pathway into the fast-growing film and television sector.

The initiative has been funded by the Queensland Government to build capacity in the state’s rapidly-growing screen production sector. With increasing demand from both local and international productions, Queensland’s screen industry is continuing to grow rapidly.

CQU’s Head of the College of the Arts, Associate Professor Steven Pace, said the program is opening doors for aspiring filmmakers across the state.

“It’s especially rewarding to see participants like Grace and Morgan translate that free training directly into employment,” he said.

“These micro-credentials give Queenslanders aged 15 and over the opportunity to gain foundational skills in film and television production at no cost.”

Screen Queensland Studios Head of Studios and Industry Pathways Mark Melrose said the program has “become an amazing case study into showcasing different pathways to enter the screen industry.”

“These courses have been designed and implemented by industry professionals outlining real world examples and highlighting real work skills critical to getting a foot hold in the industry,” he said. 

“It is extremely satisfying to here of the success of Grace and Morgan securing roles on Black Snow, that is very exciting.”

The micro-credentials are delivered in pairs, each combining a three-hour online course with a one-day, hands-on workshop at CQU campuses in Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Brisbane.

The first pair, which launched in October 2025, focused on essential on-set protocols for members of a film crew. The second pair followed in January 2026, introducing training for costume assistants. The third pair, launched in March 2026, focused on the role of data wrangler.

Participant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong enrolments reflecting growing interest in screen careers.

Prospective students can learn more or enrol free of charge at cqu.edu.au/screen-skills.

This program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government.