PRESS RELEASE
Actor Daniel Fischer opens YAS Studio in February 2026 — giving young people a creative home to explore acting, animation, filmmaking and photography.
Melbourne is about to gain its first dedicated multi-disciplinary youth screen studio, with the launch of YAS Studio in Kensington in February 2026. Construction on the new creative space is currently underway, with applications for Term 1 now open.
YAS Studio offers something Melbourne has never had: a single, purpose-built place where young people aged 8–18 can train in acting, animation, filmmaking and photography — choosing one discipline or exploring across all four.
This is the first time these creative pathways have existed together under one roof for young people in Victoria.
Filling a Gap Melbourne’s Creative Community Has Been Missing
While Melbourne is rich in arts culture, there has been no year-round space where young people can access filmmaking, animation or photography training outside school or expensive short courses.
This gap becomes especially clear every year during ATAR season.
“Every year we put enormous pressure on young people to decide what they want to do with their future — but how can they know what they’re passionate about if they’ve never had the chance to explore?” says founder Daniel Fischer. “There is a whole generation of young creatives who haven’t been given access to filmmaking, animation or photography until they’re almost adults. YAS Studio exists to change that.”
Fischer saw this need during his years as Head of Engagement at Collarts, where he worked with thousands of young people by building creative outreach programs and leading industry partnerships with MIFF, ACMI, MIAF, Melbourne Fashion Week, and the Australian Photography Awards.
“Young people shouldn’t have to wait until tertiary study to discover what they’re truly passionate about,” Fischer says.
“Exploration is essential. Creativity shouldn’t be siloed.”
A Studio Designed for Exploration, Not Perfection
YAS Studio is founded on three values:Creativity. Confidence. Courage.
The emphasis is not on performance or output — but on identity, skill-building, imagination and bravery.
Classes are capped at 16 students, supporting individual attention and meaningful creative growth.
An Industry-Connected Teaching Team
YAS Studio’s teaching team includes:
• Adrian Ortega — Award-Winning Filmmaker (credits include Westgate: MIFF 2025, Cerulean blue: Stan in AUS & Amazon Prime in US/UK)• Casey Longfield — Photographer & Creative Educator (10+ years experience)• Oscar Ramos — Emerging Animation Artist (trained under a creator of K-Pop Demon Hunters and working with a creative lead from Spider-Verse)
Each educator brings both professional expertise and a youth-centred approach to mentorship.
A Purpose-Built Creative Space
The Kensington studio features: • A flexible film + acting studio • A photography + animation suite • A collaborative breakout area • A warm, welcoming reception • Professional screen and camera equipment
Renders and construction images are available in the press kit.
“I wanted to build a space where young people feel safe to explore, take risks and express themselves,” Fischer says.
“Not a room that doubles as something else during the day — but a purpose-built home that inspires them from the moment they walk in the door.”
Holiday Intensives (From April 2026)
Featuring guest creatives including award-winning actors, filmmakers, animators and industry leaders with international and Oscar-nominated credits.
“I’ve had so many members of the industry reach out to me to say they want to teach a holiday workshop”, Fischer says.
“It’s been so lovely to hear how much everyone just wants to give back and support the next generation of creatives”.
A Purpose-Built Studio Accessible to Families Across Melbourne
Located in Kensington with easy access to public transport, major roads and inner-city connectors, YAS Studio is positioned to welcome young creatives from every corner of Melbourne.The timetable has been intentionally designed to support families travelling after school or on weekends, ensuring the programs are as accessible as possible.
“We didn’t build this studio just for one postcode,” Fischer says.“Creative young people are everywhere — and we want YAS Studio to be a place they can all reach and feel at home in.”
Applications Now Open for Term 1, 2026
- 🔗 yasstudio.com.au
- Holiday workshops will launch mid-2026.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Daniel Fischer is a Melbourne-based actor and creative educator with more than 15 years’ experience across stage and screen. His recent credits include Love Me (Binge), Summer Love (ABC) and the upcoming Dear Life (Stan).
He previously served as Head of Engagement at Collarts, where he led youth outreach programs and major industry partnerships with the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), ACMI, the Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF), Melbourne Fashion Week, and the Australian Photography Awards — working with thousands of young creatives across Victoria.
Daniel’s combined experience in performance, storytelling and youth arts education directly shaped the vision for YAS Studio: a place where young people can explore acting, animation, filmmaking and photography before being asked to choose a future path.