How the Oppenheim Fund helped Chantal make her mark in film

Image description: Chantal Rayner-Burt (right) working with a cameraman in an outdoor setting.

Married mum of one, Chantal is passionate about the arts, especially music and film. Her love of screenwriting led her to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television and Media Studies in 2003, followed by a BA (Hons) in 2004 at the University of Auckland.

For Chantal, it was about matching her passion and skills with the right industry, and then planning a path forward.

Mapping out a career like Chantal’s can feel daunting when you’re just starting out. Fortunately, our Employment and Youth Pathways team can help.

How the Oppenheim Tertiary Fund supported Chantal’s study goals

A long-time member of Blind Low Vision NZ, Chantal first heard about the Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust Fund from a senior member. She applied because she knew a scholarship towards fees would ease the financial pressure once she graduated.

“The funding meant that for my four years of study, I only had a very small student loan”, says Chantal.
“Finishing my studies without a big student debt hanging over me has been brilliant.”

That lighter financial load made a big difference as she transitioned into the workforce and began raising a family.

Looking ahead: Chantal’s storytelling, from page to screen

Chantal has gone on to write and produce several short films, one of which featured at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Even more impressively, she wrote and produced the feature film, Journey of a Story, which screened in 12 cinemas across New Zealand as well as in Graz, Austria.

Journey of a Story follows the story of a New Zealand serviceman during World War II, from his time on the frontlines in Europe, through his experience as a prisoner of war, and finally his return home.

You can watch the trailer for Journey of a Story on YouTube.

What will your career journey be?

If you’re a Blind Low Vision NZ member pursuing tertiary study, the Oppenheim Fund could be a helping hand to the career of your dreams.