This course, Creative and Critical Thinking, was developed after a conversation with Sandra Levy, then Director of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), and followed from observations on the set of a multi-year television series. There, I witnessed how creative conflict, communication breakdowns, and hierarchical pressures could affect both wellbeing and the quality of creative outcomes. This experience highlighted the need for directors to have training in co-creation, collaboration, and reflective practice to support both their leadership and the wellbeing of the teams they work with.

In response, Creative and Critical Thinking, a foundation subject at AFTRS, was designed to help students understand how perception, thought, and behaviour influence their effectiveness when collaborating on creative projects. The course integrated theory, interview accounts, and experiential activities, addressing topics including group dynamics, organisational culture, workplace norms, team roles, conflict resolution, and negotiation strategies. Students applied these skills in real production contexts, learning to balance creative rigour with empathy and collaborative problem-solving.

AFTRS, Australia’s national screen arts school and one of the world’s top 20 film schools, provided an ideal environment to embed CACD-inspired principles such as shared authorship, co-creation, and reflective practice into professional screen education. This approach supports emerging directors to lead inclusive, connected, and resilient creative teams.

Collaborative Process
The course and related initiatives were designed around experiential learning and participatory practice. Students engaged directly with real production challenges, practising co-creation, problem-solving, and communication strategies. By blending theory and hands-on experience, the approach fosters skills in collaboration, leadership, and reflective practice – preparing students to navigate complex creative environments.

Continuing Practice
The insights gained from this initiative continue to inform both Daydreamers and the planned expansion of the Ollie & Viv Creative Residency. Encouraging inclusive collaboration, supporting wellbeing, and embedding co-creative practices across projects.