Brisbane Heat are local heroes but it’s been a rocky road and now a documentary on the team’s journey has been put together by another team, a group of QUT alumni.
REIGNITE opened in late November in Event Cinemas for a two-week run throughout Queensland before airing on Channel 7 from tomorrow. It tells the gripping story of a cricket team that had everything going for it except the silverware in the trophy cabinet.
Its making also highlights the far-reaching and career-boosting connections a degree from QUT can provide.
Professor Damian Candusso, head of the QUT School of Creative Arts, said the journey of the Brisbane Heat’s return to glory makes REIGNITE compelling viewing. Following them over two seasons, it puts a human face on the ‘team in teal’.
While the Brisbane Heat men had won Australia's domestic Twenty20 cricket competition, the Big Bash League (BBL) in its second year in 2012-2013 and have attracted a massive fan base, it was another decade before they were able to win again.
By 2021-22, they finished second last on the league table and missed the finals for the fourth time in five years. They also lost one of their star players and captain Chris Lynn, the highest run-scorer in BBL history who now plays with the Adelaide Strikers.
“Brisbane Heat and cricket fans know that their comeback was sweet. Captained by Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja, they defeated the Sydney Sixers in to win their second BBL title in January this year,” Professor Candusso said.
“What many people don’t know though, is how the culture of the club has been transformed and what struggles the players and coaches have had to overcome. This is where REIGNITE comes into its own and I am thrilled that it’s a story QUT can celebrate too.
“Almost the entire production team that have brought the documentary together are QUT alumni, including the co-directors and writers Richard Lawton and Nic Laube, both of whom completed a Bachelor of Film, Television and New Media at QUT in 2015.
‘The connection between QUT, Brisbane Heat and Queensland Cricket is very strong. Jack Hyland, Rachel Serisier, Dimitri Cassimatis, and Cooper Corless all now work for Brisbane Heat and all worked on REIGNITE, with each having graduated from QUT in recent years from either Creative Industries or Business faculties.”
The REIGNITE first assistant director and producer Taylor Williams, meanwhile, obtained her Bachelor of Drama and Bachelor of Film, Television and New Media from QUT and now serves as event experience director with Big Bash Leagues.
“Two of the editors on the project – Luis Campbell and Jack Dowley – are also QUT alumni,” Professor Candusso said.
“Really, I think what we can take away from this is just how well QUT creative arts and other students are prepared for life beyond university.
“It’s testament to the quality of teaching they receive which makes them industry ready, plus it also helps that QUT works hard to foster collaborations with organisations including Queensland Cricket to provide opportunities for students during their studies and beyond.”
REIGNITE, which also features the track Cherub by QUT music alumni Ball Park Music, is showing in selected Event Cinemas. It will also be screened on the 7 Network - free-to-air on December 22 and 7Plus from December 13 until the end of the year.
View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKX8nbUNdLc
Find out more about the QUT Bachelor of Creative Arts course: QUT - Undergraduate creative arts.
Main image: Pete Lock, General Manager of Brisbane Heat, with QUT alumni Nic Laube, Richard Lawton, Jack Hyland, and Rachel Serisier at the premiere of REIGNITE, a documentary about the Brisbane Heat
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver
QUT Media
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
