Video has become a staple part of real estate marketing strategies and TAFE NSW Newcastle Screen and Media graduate Laughlin O’Connor has exploited this niche turning a passion for documentary film-making into a full time work producing corporate real estate videos. 

According to the Australian Marketing Institute, videos are the most powerful content type on social media with Facebook reporting 8 billion+ daily video views.  With 82 per cent of global internet traffic in 2021 expected to be video content the demand for professionally video production is set to continue to rise. [1]

Mr O’Connor, winner of the U18 Best Documentary at the 2016 Real Film Festival said taking the leap from being a student at TAFE NSW Newcastle to developing his passion for documentary film making to producing corporate real estate videos for Ray White Newcastle Lake Macquarie, gave him a real sense of achievement.  

“I was so proud that I had just finished an Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media at TAFE NSW and got a job right away,” he said. 

“At Ray White Newcastle Lake Macquarie, I’m pumping out multiple social media videos a week as well property walk throughs, agent’s introductions and aerial videos using drones to showcase some amazing properties,” Mr O’Connor said. 

Principal Ray White Newcastle Lake Macquarie, Darren Penn said video allows his business to capture the lifestyle and homes people are searching for in a format which buyers relate to and enjoy watching. 

“Real estate is a very visual business and there is a lot of emotion involved when considering either buying or selling a home,” he said   

“As well as the stunning visuals, our videos show the human side of our agents and this is very important to us. 

“Employing Laughlin with creative skills in filming, interviewing and production has been a major advantage for us and given us the ability to do some incredibly professional work. It also meant we could adapt quickly to COVID-19 restrictions as we filmed 80 properties in two-weeks to ensure property marketing continued.” 

Mr O’Connor said his training at TAFE NSW gave him the practical skills and experience that he needed to transfer from documentary film making to real estate videos. 

“At TAFE NSW each class would be on a job. Having the opportunity to be hands-on and film a real event was important. That’s where I learnt job-ready skills,” he said. 

“Seeing my work published is very satisfying and seeing the positive reaction from people is a good feeling.” 

Media contact: Andrew Woodcock, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, mobile 0409 324 379

[1] https://marketingvoice.ami.org.au/