Nykoda Caston wasn’t even in his teens when he set his sights on a career in the movie industry. Now studying film production at the University of Canberra, the 20-year-old Orange local is well on his way to making that dream a reality.

“I was like 12 years old, I guess, when I started shooting movies, just short films – the camera was a $100 smartphone,” Nykoda recalled, adding that he knew in primary school he wanted to pursue a career as a film director upon graduating from high school.

“It started when my dad shared his story of making films when he was a young age... and when I started watching movies, I saw movies differently and from an early age I developed an interest in analysing films, having my own direction or take on them,” he said.

“So it gave me an idea of the possibilities of storytelling using cameras... and that sort of inspired me to take that direction to be a filmmaker.”

From making movies with friends on his old smartphone, Nykoda soon upgraded to a professional film-quality camera – all before sitting his HSC.

Now formally studying film production at university, Nykoda has been given an extra opportunity to develop his skills thanks to a scholarship from the Orange Film Society.

Named in memory of the late Gordon McMillan, a dedicated Orange Film Society member, the scholarship was created to support emerging filmmakers in Orange and it has provided Nykoda the opportunity to undertake a 10-week online Director’s Journey Bootcamp course through the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), valued at $1260.

“I’ve loved it so far! It’s only starting and I’ve already taken 10 pages of notes. It has just given me a whole new idea of how I can approach the industry and given me more confidence in sharing ideas, and being able to communicate my ideas to bring material to life,” Nykoda said.

“Filling the gaps of what I haven’t learnt yet about the professional area of film directing and developing a vision for what I want in my films.”

Nykoda’s film influences are diverse, but he is quick to acknowledge world-renowned filmmaking legends like Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Christian Nolan, and Charlie Chaplin, as well as Australia’s own Baz Luhrmann and George Miller.

While he dreams of his own name being cited alongside those above, Nykoda really just wants to make movies.

“My career goal is to be a film director, internationally... making big films and showcasing my unique creative vision of movie making!” he said.

“Give a unique style for the audience to experience and to put them into that world and narrative.”

Having cut his teeth filming around Orange, Nykoda also dreams of making the Colour City a star of the silver screen in one of his future big-budget productions.

“Most definitely! I believe I’m going to have plans in the future to make a big movie in Orange,” Nykoda said, adding that Orange offers so many possibilities as a location.

“There are places like nature spots and parts of the town that can really be used as a good setting for maybe a drama, or even a mystery or suspense... just about anything! I think Orange could be the next big Hollywood destination!”