The client need

The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute needed a campaign film to inspire female high school students and school leavers to consider studying maths at university. This story needed to show maths as useful beyond science and engineering, connecting it to startups, business advice, investment, finance and risk.

What I created

I created a short 3 minute profile film and a 30-second social version about Solai Valliappan, shaped for young women considering future study and career pathways. The film explored how maths, actuarial thinking and risk analysis can help startups plan, grow, manage uncertainty and make better decisions.

The approach

The process began with interview and story development to understand Solai’s career, her move from actuarial work into startups, and how maths supported her approach to risk and business decision-making. I shaped the script around her own language, tone and expressions, while making the startup and investment world accessible for a young audience.

The production was filmed as a destination shoot in Sydney, combining business locations with a rock-climbing gym. Rock climbing became the central visual metaphor: assessing the wall, planning the next move, managing risk and continuing after setbacks. This gave the film a clear, physical way to explain abstract ideas like uncertainty, risk matrices, business planning and startup investment.

Credits

Client: Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI)

Producer: Kristin Marriner

Camera Assistant: Bryce Padovan

Directed by Filip Laureys