BREAKING NEWS!

Are you a camera operator with a minimum of 2 years’ experience, wanting to work more in drama?  Do you want to know more about working with High Sensor cameras, and how they are used in some of the most high profile current productions?

Then you need to sign up to Cyfle’s exciting new Shooting with large sensor cameras for drama course. During this 2 day hands-on practical course, you will be mentored by one of the most experienced DOPs based in Wales, and will work with a director to shoot an interior and exterior drama sequence on a variety of high sensor cameras such as Arri Alexa and Red.  There will also be time every day to discuss how productions deal with the challenges these cameras bring with them, and how the camera department deal with these responsibilities.

Course Date: To be confirmed

Course Location: Enfys Studios, Cardiff

Course Cost: Due to the highly subsidised nature of this course, participants will only have to pay £300 for the cost of this training. However, bursaries are available subject to eligibility.

Please note places are limited.  Therefore places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis dependent of eligibility.

For further information, please contact Nadine Roberts, Training Manager South Wales on 029 20465533 / nadine@cyfle.co.uk

This activity is being carried out as part of Creative Skillset Cymru’s £4.5m Skills for the Digital Economy Programme. The Programme is backed with £2.7m from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, with the rest of the funds provided by Welsh broadcaster S4C, the trade association for independent producers in film and television in Wales, Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru (TAC), BECTU and Creative Skillset Cymru.

For the purposes of this programme, only beneficiaries living or working in the convergence areas of West Wales and the Valleys are eligible.  The Convergence areas contains 15 local Authorities: Isle of Anglesey; Conwy; Denbighshire; Gwynedd; Ceredigion; Pembrokeshire; Carmarthenshire; Swansea; Neath Port Talbot; Bridgend; Rhondda Cynon Taff; Merthyr Tydfil; Blaenau Gwent; Caerphilly and Torfaen.

Archive Mash-Up is a 6 month part-time training scheme, delivered over 5 weeks of intensive classroom based contact, a personal project, online support and individual mentoring.  The 3 main stages of development during the training will be –

1.            Archive essentials (copyright essentials, clearance rights etc)

2.            Repurposing creatively and commercially

3.            Distribution, marketing, business

This is is a new training scheme designed to teach the creative, innovative and essential skills needed to create a new world of experiences out of footage already in existence.

‘Wk 1 @cyfle ‘s Archive Mashup course – fascinating insights into how archive works at BBC Wales, ITV Wales & S4C – & creative use’ Philippa Davies

Thomas Goddard

Thomas graduated from the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham in 2004 with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art: Painting. He is currently working as a Learning Officer (Participation) at Glynn Vivian, Swansea, setting up, organising and delivering the Learning programme at the gallery, working with a wide range of ages, ability & backgrounds. He is also founder & Director of Cerbyd, a national project taking 10 selected artists across Wales to share in activities with community groups from different regions. He has worked on numerous projects over the years, including Just Bling! Project, Artes Mundi 2011, Wales in Venice for Arts Council of Wales 2011, and Reach the Heights for Arts Council Wales.

Gruffydd Marc Jones

Gruffydd graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1988 with a BA Hons in Drama, and then went on to complete a PGCert in Education. He has had a varied career in the media, including working as an actor , a scriptwriter, an editor and for Cwmni 10. He worked on Radio Cymru for many years, creating characters for Daniel Glyn and Dafydd Du’s radio shows-this included scripting, creating sound effects and music, and performing. During his time there, he also had the opportunity to devise several radio programmes including an Ocsiwnia, Pwlffacan, Pryd o Dafod and also worked on a number of other panel shows.

Dylan Jones

Dylan is a critically acclaimed editor, director, and cameraman,  and has worked on numerous productions in the past including ‘Purple Reign’ BBC4 (2011), ‘Back to Blackwood’ BBC Music (2011 ), ‘Only Men Aloud’ Boomerang ( 2010), ‘Bryn Terfel-Closer To Home’ – BBC Wales, (2009) ‘Dr Who, The Concert BBC Proms’ – BBC Music (2008),  , ‘Faenol Opera Gala’ S4C/BBC Wales ( 2005/2006/2007) to name but a few.  Dylan directed, edited and shot the award winning film Seperado! a film that follows SFA’s front-man Gruff Rhys as he goes in search of relatives who emigrated to Patagonia from north Wales in the 19th century. Dylan graduated from Bradford University in 1997 with a BScHons in Electronic Imaging and Media Communications.

Elizabeth Faye McCarthy

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Glamorgan in 1998 with a BA Hons in Theatre and Media Drama. Elizabeth has experience as a music promoter, having ran a successful Music promotion company called ‘LM Promotions’, working as an agent and live promoter for 25 local bands and working for venues such as The Hard Rock Cafe and the Cardiff Barfly. She also has experience as a scriptwriter for the Nuts and Bolts team at ITV, and was responsible for creative input and marketing at the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Heritage Centre for a while. Most recently Elizabeth has been running her own catering business. Last year she attended the ‘Women in film-making’ directing course. She has also attended short courses in film appreciation and history (Greenwich Community College), animation (Valley and Vale) and scriptwriting (Chapter Arts Centre).

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This scheme is being delivered by training provider Cyfle and is funded by the Skillset Cymru Training Framework.

The Skillset Cymru Training Framework is a joint approach by Skillset Cymru, the Welsh language broadcaster S4C and the trade association Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru (TAC) to support the skills and training needs of the Welsh independent TV production sector and the wider Creative Media Industries.  It offers a more collaborative and strategic approach to identifying training needs, gathering data and intelligence from the sector in Wales, and using it to fund training provision and develop skills in the sector in future. www.skillset.org

Secondary school pupils from across Gwynedd got a chance to express their creative side recently through Cyfle and the Llwyddo’n Lleol initiative. The initiative highlights the different career and business opportunities that exist within five growth sectors in Gwynedd, including the Creative Industries.

The Growth Sector Events are part of the £3.8 million Llwyddo’n Lleol project, which is jointly funded by the EU’s Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, Gwynedd Council and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the 14-19 Network. It aims to help 11-19 year olds develop their entrepreneurial skills and to learn about the growth sectors in Gwynedd.

Cyfle was invited to work in partnership with Llwyddo’n Lleol and run practical workshops given by local people who work in the sector. Year 9 pupils from schools including Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Ysgol y Moelwyn and Ysgol y Gader took part in the day at the Galeri in Caernarfon.

Through a series of hands-on activities and presentations the initiative highlighted to the pupils the employment and self-employment opportunities the creative industries will offer them in the future, on their doorstep.

Lowri Jones, Project Co-ordinator for Llwyddo’n Lleol said: “The creative industry is vast. Animation, computer gaming, fashion, and web pages are all part of this dynamic and fast moving sector.

“The pupils were given the opportunity to take part in practical activities looking at the technological side of the creative industries – theatre and lighting, using a camera, editing and sound. Thank you to Skillset, Cyfle and the experts from the industry who took part in the day and shared their knowledge with the pupils.”

Shân Gwenfron Jones, North Wales Training Manger with Cyfle added: “Our work with young people via projects such as this one, has demonstrated our commitment to providing skills and opportunities which give a realistic insight into the future of the creative industries, and the career options it can bring. We look forward to seeing some of these young people working in the creative industries, and possibly attending Cyfle courses in the future.”

For more detail about Cyfle’s work with young people, or to have a chat about our various training services, please contact Shân Gwenfron Jones at the Caernarfon office on 01286 668003 / shan@cyfle.co.uk

On Friday the 2^nd of March Cyfle’s Multiplatform Project Manager, Rhys Miles Thomas will be imparting his knowledge of Cross Platform Marketing at a business-focused event in Cardiff, held completely in aid of charity.

‘Think Digital’ is billed as a “100 local businesses in the intimate and relaxed surroundings of Kuku Club, Cardiff – huddled together to hear 4 digital media professionals share information, tips & ideas as well as insight into their trades. From e-commerce to mobile apps, cross platform marketing to social media and strategy… whatever your business, whether already established, a start-up or budding entrepreneur, our aim is simply to inspire.”

Other speakers at the event will be Steve Flanagan, Creative Director, Big Eye Deers (E-Commerce); Craig Lockwood, Glamorgan Universiy CEMAS (Mobile Apps); and Tom Beardshaw, Strategist, Native HQ (Social Media – Tone and Identity).

To find out more about ‘Think Digital’ and to book a place at the event, please go to their website at www.thinkdigital-cardiff.co.uk

Tickets cost £10 per person, and ALL proceeds from the events will go to the Prince’s Trust Cymru, which helped 50,000 disadvantaged young people this year, giving them the confidence and skills to find a job.

Sue will be working with the team on a part time basis from the 2^nd of April 2012 to assist the company to move forward and help develop new partnerships and increase Cyfle’s client portfolio, particularly in south Wales.

As an enthusiastic and motivated series producer and director, Sue is highly experienced in working with scriptwriters, leading teams and managing budgets.  She has worked with a number of independent production companies, as well as the BBC and ITV, on both live action and animation/mixed media productions. In addition, Sue is a Skillset Careers Advisor, broadcast consultant, and media trainer.

Iona Williams, Cyfle Chief Executive said ‘We are thrilled to welcome Sue to the team. She has a wealth of industry experience and is highly regarded within the creative industries in Wales. Sue has also delivered many training programmes for Cyfle and has demonstrated a commitment to training and skills development over a number of years’.

Cyfle’s latest training scheme for Programmers and Developers has finished on a high, with a presentation to almost 30 industry representatives in Cardiff.

The six individuals completing their training are – Robert Gapper; Edward Millington; Richard Grey; Benn Pearson; Paul Fry and Liam Williams (seen in the picture with Aled Bartholomew, Co-lead Trainer and Rhys Miles Thomas, Multiplatform Project Manager, Cyfle).

Digital Delta 2 has been a six month part time training scheme for six programmers and/or developers which aimed to –

• Enhance the skills of existing amateur and professional computer scientists and encourage them to further their careers within the Creative Media industry.

• Address the substantial skills shortage of web developers and games programmers whom currently take up employment outside of Wales.

For more information about Digital Delta 2 and who was involved, please go to our CASE STUDY section by clicking HERE.

All those who are eligible and who completed the course will receive the Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) Professional Practice in the Creative Industries, awarded by the University of Glamorgan.

The scheme was funded by S4C, TAC, and supported by Skillset Cymru.

Today 3 exciting new events have been announced which will take place in February and March 2012 at Cyfle’s Training Centre, Galeri, Caernarfon.

If you’re eager to learn more about this field, then this is the perfect introduction for you into the wide range of possibilities that digital and social media have to offer creative practitioners in terms of promoting, communicating and creating.

“Cyfle is very pleased to be able to offer this training as we’re very aware of the importance of developing creative digital skills for a successful future in all sorts of sectors, including the creative sector in particular” says Shân Gwenfron Jones, Cyfle’s North Wales Training Manager.

“By working with Gwynedd Council and Gwynedd Arts Forum we are able to offer training of the highest standard at a very reasonable price”.

Participants can attend all 3 courses for a fantastic reduced price of £70, or book an individual place on one of the following courses:

Introduction to Digital and Social Media (Half Day Conference)
21 February, 2012. 10am-1pm. £20
Tutor – Rhys Miles Thomas, Cyfle’s Multiplatform Project Manager

Shooting and Editing a Film and Creating a Simple Website (2-day Course)
15 & 16 March, 2012. 9:30am-5pm. £40
Tutor – David Bough

Developing an App for the iPhone/iPod Touch (1-day Course)
20 March, 2012. 9:30am-5pm. £20
Tutor – David Bough

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For further information, contact Gwynedd Greadigol on 01286 679721 / 07789 032517 / annession@gwynedd.gov.uk  / www.gwyneddgreadigol.com

Or to book a place straight away, an information leaflet/booking form can be downloaded here – Booking Form Gwynedd Greadigol

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For further information about Cyfle’s work on similar projects, or to learn more about Cyfle’s various training services, contact Shân Gwenfron Jones at Cyfle’s Office in Caernarfon on 01286 668003 / shan@cyfle.co.uk .

Back (l-r) Rhys Miles Thomas, Cyfle; Deio Owain; Gwion Llewelyn; Stephen Williams; Lisa Howe, Tutor. Front (l-r) Anne Mary Gallagher; Manon Volk; Nerys Evans; Thomas Graham Hall

Welcome to Anne Mary Gallagher, Deio Owain, Gwion Llewelyn, Manon Volk, Nerys Evans, Thomas Graham Hall and Stephen Williams to the Cyfle family!

Digital Dimension is a 7 month accredited training programme in multi-platform production and management for participants who either live or work in the convergence regions of West Wales and the Valleys including North West Wales.

Today’s TV industry increasingly has to compete for an audience through producing content for mobile, online, print, live events, gaming, social media and so on. This scheme is designed to teach the skills to create and produce interesting and exciting content for all these platforms and more.

Digital Dimension Trainees in their Welcome Session

This project has been made possible through Skillset Cymru, backed with £2.7m from the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Government, with the rest of the funds provided by Welsh broadcaster S4C, the trade association for independent producers in film and television in Wales, Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru (TAC).

The overall aim of the Skills for the Digital Economy Programme is to develop and deliver industry-led, flexible, higher level skills provision which meets the needs of Creative Media employers and freelancers living and working in West Wales and the Valleys including North West Wales, supporting the knowledge economy and safeguarding the performance and productivity of the sector in these regions.

For more information on the Digital Dimension scheme, please contact us on 029 2046 5533 or via email on caerdydd@cyfle.co.uk

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE TRAINEES? HERE’S A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON EACH.

Anne Mary Gallagher
Anne graduated from University of Wales Aberystwyth in 2004 with a BA Joint Honours Geography and Film & TV Studies. She has been working as a freelance cameraman, editor and video trainer in community based film making for the last 5 years. She has worked on numerous projects over the years, including work for Media4Creative Ltd., Undercurrents.org, Plastic Buddha, Welsh National Opera, www.boardseeker.com and Telesgop/S4C. Anne is also a keen surfer and works as a Freelance Surf Coach & Outdoor Pursuits Instructor.

Deio Owain
After completing a national diploma in Film and Television Studies from Coleg Menai in June 2008, Deio went on to complete a degree in Film and Television from the University of Wales Aberystwyth. He currently works as a freelance video producer, and most recently filmed and produced a documentary/advert for Gwynedd Council. Whilst studying at Bangor and Aberystwyth, Deio had the opportunity to create numerous short films, one of which reached the final round of Ffresh under the category for best Welsh film, with his second film reaching the short list the following year.

Gwion Llewelyn
Gwion is a keen musician, and completed a National Diploma in Music Technology from Coleg Menai in 2008. He is a drummer for the successful Welsh band, Race Horses, who have released a number of singles and albums to date, which were very successful in Wales and elsewhere. They have toured Britain and have played in some of England’s biggest festivals, as well as festivals in New York, France and the Netherlands. He has a passion for creating, developing and realising ideas, which is clearly displayed in the latest music video he filmed and produced for their band.

Manon Volk
After graduating from Cardiff University in 2010 with a BSC in Psychology, Manon went on to work as a researcher for Boomerang. She has worked on numerous productions including Y Sioe Fawr, Y Ffair Aeaf, Rugby a Mwy, Cyfnewid, Ar Gamera and Cwis Mwyaf Cymru. In 2010, Manon worked as a runner for Avanti during the Urdd Eisteddfod, and during this time was responsible for the timetables for the cameras every day.

Nerys Evans
Nerys graduated from the University of the West of England in 1999 with a BA (Hons) in Time Based Media. She has been a part of the creative industries since graduating, and with time she gained skills through training and experience, starting as an Archive Librarian, moving on to becoming a Researcher, and eventually becoming a Director/Producer. She has worked on many productions over the years, including work for ITV Wales, Plastic Buddha Productions, Tiresias Media, Tinopolis Interactive, Pixel Foundry and Telesgop / S4C.

Thomas Graham Hall
Graham graduated from the University of Manchester in 1981 with a BSc Hons in Mathematics. For the past six years he has taught Multimedia on an Access to Higher Education at Coleg Harlech. On this course, Thomas taught photo imaging, film, animation, 3d modelling and compositing in addition to some contextual studies. He also developed a franchise with University of Bolton which led to a first year of the Special Effects degree being taught at Harlech.

Stephen Williams
Stephen has been working in the broadcast industry for over fifteen years. He has extensive experience of the industry, having worked on a huge variety of subjects – from people who like to run marathons to very sensitive subjects such as the exposition of children smuggled into Britain from abroad, and experience in a number of areas, from working as a Development AP to working as a Vision Mixer. He has worked for Dai4films, Optomen, Presentable, BBC Cymru and Radio Ceredigion.

CYFLE is very pleased to have worked with this project, which is being run by Galeri Caernarfon Cyf and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, in conjunction with the Pobl Peblig Partnership, CYFLE and Sherman Cymru to compliment a Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Sherman Cymru production of ‘Sgint’, in conjunction with Galeri.

The ‘Sgin ti Syniad?’ project is financed by Reach the Heights through the Arts Council of Wales, The European Social Fund and the Welsh Government.

‘Sgint’, the drama, deals with various people’s relationship with money, a theme which is relevant to everybody, especially the groups of young people who are part of the project.

Group 1 Cyfle/Sgin ti Syniad (age 16-19)

During December, the groups have been attending the new CYFLE digitial studio at Galeri 13, Caernarfon for ‘Digital Media’ training.

“An experienced trainer and brand new equipment was provided by CYFLE to teach the industry relevant skills to the young people.  We are very proud to be able to work with this fantastic project, and we look forward to seeing the finished work.” said Shân Gwenfron Jones, North Wales Training Manager with CYFLE.

Group 2 Cyfle/Sgin Ti Syniad (ages 14-16)

The training will weave naturally with the creative activity and the young people will have a chance to learn skills by doing – remembering that this is a group which doesn’t respond positively to formal teaching environments.

Bethan Marlow, playwright and author of ‘Sgint’ and a former CYFLE trainee will be leading on the activities which are part of ‘Sgin Ti Syniad?’ through a series of associated creative experiences which give young people a chance to express themselves. This is a chance to hear their voices and perspectives.

Group 3 Cyfle/Sgin Ti Syniad (ages 11-14)

“This project is giving young people who are in danger of being without education and out of work a chance to give their opinions and realise that their point of view is important” said Dawn Worsley, Arts Co-ordinator, Galeri “Bethan and her team will be steering the activities but the key to success is that the young people take ownership of the content and the direction of the project from the beginning and so develop their self esteem and communication skills by creating a message which is important to them.”

Groups which have been receiving training from CYFLE will then work with Bethan’s team as one entity to develop, create, film and edit short films, create viral videos by creating an unique and amusing event and film vox pops of interviews with various people from Caernarfon.

For more detail about Cyfle’s work with the ‘Sgin ti Syniad’ project, or to have a chat about our various training services, please contact Shân Gwenfron Jones at the Caernarfon office on 01286 668003 / shan@cyfle.co.uk

Gelert from SginTiSyniad on Vimeo.

Nadolig Siomedig from SginTiSyniad on Vimeo.

Dylan talking about his experiences on the project