Welcome to Screen Alliance Wales November Newsletter:

After another busy month here at SAW, we are pleased to bring you another round up of all our news and updates.

Firstly, if you haven’t done so already, we would like to encourage you to create a profile on our website (here). This is an incredible place to showcase any credits, skills, and links to previous work. It also keeps you up to date with all vacancies that we advertise and automatically signs you up to our newsletter. If you already have an account on our directory, do make sure to keep all your details updated with you most up to date information.

Vacancies:

As always, we would like to start off by highlighting all the opportunities that are currently available over on our vacancies page. This is regularly updated, so make sure to keep checking the page on our website here. With more roles available before, now is such a great time to explore the varied roles that are on offer to join the booming Film and TV industry in Wales.

The following vacancies are available on our website:

A Binocular Production for Sky are seeking:

-x2 Cast Assistants

-Production Runner

National Youth Arts Wales are seeking a Trainee Producer

Boom Plant is seeking Ymchwilydd STWNSH / STWNSH Researcher

Sponsors and Supporters:

The work we carry out is only made possible by the fantastic contributions from our wonderful Sponsors and Supporters. Here’s what they have been up to this month...

Bad Wolf:

Brilliant news for Bad Wolf and Wolf Studios Wales, as they were awarded the Greening the Screen Funding by Ffilm Cymru, alongside 6 other Welsh TV & Film companies. This funding will allow Wolf Studios Wales to analyse their water usage, working with experts to audit & trial different tech to reduce and recycle water.

Alongside Wolf Studios continued work to create a greener studio, they were awarded a ‘Very Good’ score for Albert 2024 Studio Standard, this score recognises the studios efforts in waste management, carbon reduction, biodiversity, & community outreach.

Congratulations to Bad Wolf who took home an award at this years ‘Cardiff Business Awards’. The team were proudly awarded the ‘Creative Business of the Year’.

The epic creatives behind ‘Doctor Who’ have been nominated at this year’s RTS Media and Crafts Awards. Our friends at Real SFX have been nominated for ‘Effects-SFX’, and Phil Sims, Production Designer has been nominated for ‘Production Designer- Scripted’.

Congratulations all!

Doctor Who fans, the wait is over. Strap in your belts, as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan take on a new adventure this Christmas.

The Christmas special will be on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.

Wales Screen Academy:

The team at Wales Screen Academy have been busy showing students the endless possibilities the Creative Industries in Wales has to offer.

In the South, Bethan has been busy with the 'Write, Pitch, Present' workshops, supporting those looking to pitch their TV or Film ideas, as well as careers fairs, educational visits and masterclasses with industry legends, such as Colin Wilson.

Carol in the North has been busy with educational visits and set tours of Aria Studios, as well as masterclass with Osian Williams, Bangor University alumni, who is now working within the creative industries!

As they approach the end of 2024, they have many exciting things planned, and we can't wait to see it!

Gorilla:

Gorilla Academy – Stepping Stones training project supported by the Welsh Assembly Creative Skills Fund

Gorilla Academy is excited to launch Stepping Stone. Designed to address skill gaps in Wales’ TV and film industry, the program offers practical, hands-on training for both new entrants and industry professionals.

For newcomers, Stepping Stone delivers entry-level skills essential for employment. These sessions are complemented by real-world mentoring and shadowing opportunities, with flexible course delivery, including evening and weekend sessions.

Current industry professionals can benefit from advanced CPD courses, helping them step up in their careers while receiving ongoing mentoring and networking opportunities.

With a focus on local talent, Stepping Stone is tailored to meet industry demands in Wales, offering accessible, cutting-edge training delivered across Wales. Courses cover key pathways like editing, machine room operations, and colour grading.

In addition to this fantastic offering, we will continue delivering role-specific training for post-production professionals across the UK, with new courses launching soon in Bristol and London. From introductions to Media Composer to HETV Colour Pipelines, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re interested in finding out more then feel free to visit our website gorillagroup.tv/gorilla-academy or contact Paul Hawke-Williams at [email protected]

Exciting news from Gorilla (and SAW), as we are pleased to announce the Gorilla Academy and Gorilla Post production will be support the Screen Alliance Wales ‘Vocal Histories’ project by supporting the team as they shoot and edit 8 new programmes around the Community. We look forward to seeing what the documentary makers come up with.

RTS Cymru:

Come test you Television knowledge and mingle with others from the industry at our annual Christmas Quiz on 9 December in Cardiff. The entry fee offers you a mince pie and drink on arrival and there will be a bar. We recommend coming as a team. You’ll need a ticket in advance and it takes place at Da in Central Square https://rts.org.uk/event/cwis-nadolig-rts-cymru-wales-christmas-quiz

RTS Cymru Wales are now accepting submissions for their annual programme awards which will take place at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama next April. For a full list of categories and criteria, a link to submit entries, head over to https://rts.org.uk/award/gwobrwyon-rts-cymru-wales-awards-2025

Cardiff Commitment:

UK Muslim Film have been supported into Cardiff schools with The Cardiff Curriculum Team and Into Film. The young Imaginators programme is intended to smash stereotypes in the media, in front of and behind the camera. With young learners at primary schools experiencing hands on filmmaking with practitioners from a diverse range of backgrounds. 10 cohorts have already taken part, with another 4 planned for the spring term. The UKMF would love to continue this work and are currently looking for further funding avenues.

The Cardiff Curriculum Team, Central South Consortia, Into Film, Screen Alliance Wales, BBC Studios, BBC Wales and Arts Active all came together to support professional learning for over 60 educators from the region, across both BBC sites (Central Sq/Porth Teigr). Teachers were given the opportunity to experience the spaces for themselves and hear about career opportunities but also had practical workshops full of ideas to take film and drama back to the classroom. These included shoe box set design, Adobe Animation, Film Literacy, Filmmaking and camera skills.

Support from the Wellbeing Fund for the TV and film sector in Wales:

Mae cefnogaeth gan y Gronfa Lles ar gyfer y sector teledu a ffilm yng Nghymru ar gael tan fis Mawrth 2025.

Mae'r fenter hon yn cynnig cyfle i gwmnïau cynhyrchu a sefydliadau adnoddau, fel tai ôl-gynhyrchu, wneud cais am grant i wella lles tîm neu fynd i'r afael ag anghenion lles penodol mewn cynhyrchiad.

Gall cwmnïau ddewis gwneud cais i Hwylusydd Lles gael ei osod yn uniongyrchol ar gynyrchiadau teledu a ffilm i gefnogi iechyd meddwl, lles a lles cast, criw a chyfranwyr, neu ar gyfer Ymgynghoriaeth Lles, lle bydd Hwylusydd Lles yn cynorthwyo i weithredu strategaethau i feithrin amgylchedd gwaith sy'n iach yn feddyliol a diwylliant tîm cadarnhaol.

I wneud cais, cysylltwch â: [email protected]

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Support from the Wellbeing Fund for the TV and film sector in Wales is available until March 2025.

This initiative offers production companies and resource organisations, such as post-production houses, the opportunity to apply for funding to enhance team wellbeing or address specific welfare needs within a production.

Companies may choose to apply for a Wellbeing Facilitator to be placed directly on TV and film productions to support the mental health, welfare and wellbeing of cast, crew and contributors, or for Wellbeing Consultancy, through which a Wellbeing Facilitator will assist in implementing strategies to foster a mentally healthy work environment and positive team culture.

To apply, please contact us at: [email protected]

Screen Alliance Wales:

Sponsors Evening and Screening

A spectacular evening this month with old friends and new, as we hosted the final screening of the documentaries for our ‘My Community My Story’ project, as well as the cinematographer of both documentaries, Charlie Grayson’s own documentary ‘The People of Pont-y-Pŵl’.

The evening was held in the SAW classroom, where we welcomed industry professionals from a range of different departments to meet the documentary teams, as well as our upcoming documentary cohort for ‘Vocal Histories of Wales’.

Painting Practice USW Chat

A big thank you to Al Kang and Jordan Reynolds from Painting Practice who visited USW this month for a special talk about all things Previs & Concept Art. The University of South Wales VFX, Gaming, Animation and Set Design for Film and TV students all joined for the session.

Andrew Creak Screening

Andrew Creak, one of our previous trainees, held a screening this month for his 3rd year university film ‘A Postcard from Bill’ a beautiful story based on the real-life events of his family. It was a pleasure to see Andrew’s creative growth, from where we met him back on HDM2, to seeing his beautiful piece on the big screen. Congratulations Andrew!

Waste Management Course

An epic start to the Waste Management Course in TV industry, our first cohort attended the session in the SAW Classroom. It was incredible to work with people who were passionate about creating and learning about creating a sustainable industry. A big thank you to all those that attended, and to all the speakers for coming down to speak on such an important topic.

We look forward to welcoming out 2nd cohort next month.

An Evening with Colin Wilson

A fantastic evening with world renowned Producer, Colin Wilson. Colin spoke about his career journey, and how he came to work on epic blockbusters like Avatar, Jurassic Park, The Mandalorian and much more.

The evening was hosted by the brilliant Line Producer, Edward Rastelli-Lewis at the University of South Wales Atrium campus.

Culture Connect Wales Careers Fair at BBC

Rhys was joined by Wales Screen Academy Manager, Bethan at BBC, Central Square for a brilliant Careers Fair, organised by Culture Connect.

The careers fair highlighted the incredible opportunities, companies and organisations that Wales has to offer.

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