Spotlight On: Rob Bygott

With extensive experience working with local filmmakers for the ABC, mentoring young people has always been important to Mr. Rob Bygott. Commencing at Wesley College in 2013, Rob tells us why the Arts are the best at Wesley.

What are some of your highlights prior to teaching at Wesley?

Before Wesley, I worked in the film and television industry. I used to do a lot of video editing, cinematography as well as directing for a film production company that produced and worked on films and documentaries. One of the highlights was filming a scientific documentary in Papua New Guinea for 10 weeks. Our team visited some really remote places, where the people had a very different perspective on life to us. Another important part of my job was to mentor emerging, local filmmakers with films for the ABC. I really enjoyed the mentoring component, and working with people to be the best they could be. Wesley was my first high school teaching job, however I had previous teaching experience at Murdoch University.

As a media teacher, when was one time where ‘capturing the perfect shot’ didn’t go as planned?

It goes without saying that you always have to plan for the unexpected. The Media team purchased a drone, and within the first year of usage, a Year 11 student managed to lose it in the Swan River. I still remember the look on the student’s face as he watched it slowly sink beyond his reach. However, the most spectacular incident would definitely have to be the time that a stray discuss hit the drone on Ward Oval. I’m not sure what was more impressive, the discus throw, the footage, or John McGuckin’s ability to salvage the drone! We also managed to lose a GoPro in the river whilst filming the annual rowing video.

What do you like to do outside your time as a teacher?

I like to spend time with my family. We have a quarter-acre block with chooks, fruit and macadamia trees. I love to cook – and I recently built a pizza oven, so it’s always good to light that on the weekends and cook wood fired pizzas, followed by slow cooked roasts the next day. I put a lot of time into my garden and renovating, which seems to be a never ending job!

If you could travel anywhere in the world safely, where would you travel?

This is tough and I’m really struggling to pick a favourite, as they all mean something special. Remote areas, like the Pilbara and Hamersley Range region, are often the places I enjoy the most. I am pretty comfortable to just roll out a swag and sleep under the stars, without the distractions of modern technology.