Susan Thwaites

Susan Thwaites is a Lecturer in Film Production at the Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra. With a career spanning both academia and the film industry, she specializes in cinematography, screenwriting, and adaptation studies.

• Education: PhD (practice-led) in Screen Adaptation (2017), Australian National University
• MA in Writing (Narrative Fiction), University of Technology Sydney
• BA in Film & TV (Cinematography major), Australian Film Television and Radio School
• BA in Communication (Film Production and Screen Studies majors), University of Technology Sydney

Research Focus: Susan’s work bridges creative practice and academic inquiry, emphasizing screenwriting, cinematography, and the translation of novels to screen. Her projects explore collaborative dynamics in filmmaking and low-budget production strategies.

Notable Contributions: She directed the short film Bass Girl (2012), adapted Rodney Hall’s novel into a screenplay, and contributed to peer-reviewed conferences like ASPERA and ACUADS. Her research highlights the role of the cinematographer and interdisciplinary approaches in screen adaptation.

Awards & Memberships: Recognized with AFI and ASC awards/nominations for cinematography, Susan is a member of ASPERA, the Australian Writers’ Guild, and a credited AACTA member.