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

_____________

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

____________

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

Actorsworkshop is seeking to recruit a freelance Associate Director for a new Screen (TV / Film) acting workshop series.

The Associate Director will devise and coordinate a programme of workshops and deliver the majority of the series with support from guest professionals where appropriate. The role is freelance and fees will be offered for the design of the programme and any workshop delivery provided. It is anticipated that the workshop programme will operate similarly to Actorsworkshop’s established activities.

To apply please submit a CV with covering letter, including example plans for an initial Screen acting programme and an expectation of the renumeration for the role. For more information, an informal chat or to submit an application email screenacting@actorsworkshop.co.uk or call 02921 250566

Deadline: 5pm 13^th January 2012

After working for Cyfle for 13 years, David Ellis Jones has decided that the time has come to hang up his working boots and retire from his role as Qualifications and Resources Coordinator with the company.

Most recently, many of Cyfle’s clients will know David through his work tutoring and assessing the Health and Safety: Risk Assessment NVQ qualification.

David worked in tv and radio for over 28 years before joining Cyfle, where he became involved in training for Broadcast NVQs, as well as Health and Safety training in particular.  David was also the Centre Co-ordinator for the various Awarding Bodies with which Cyfle deals.

All the staff and board would like to thank David for all his hard work for the company over the years, and we wish him a long, happy, musical and healthy retirement!

Cyfle has been broadening its horizons by working in partnership with Careers Wales on providing an opportunity for pupils from eight high schools in Gwynedd to create their own ‘App’ for the iPhone in special workshops held at Glan-Llyn, Bala and Galeri, Caernarfon in October/November this year.

The courses were part of Llwyddo’n Lleol, a £3.8 million project 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.

By using Cyfle’s portable Macbook suite, David Bough, a certified and experienced Apple tutor taught the pupils the secrets of creating an App, giving them some fantastic skills for the future.

David said “This course proves the potential of new technology in rural areas. Scotland gives a great deal of support to these industries and there are many people creating Apps in order to earn their living on the Western Isles.”

This is what Richard Williams, Ryan Hughes, Sion Roberts, Dafydd Huw and Tomos Jones from Year 9, Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle had to say about the course -

“Recently we had an opportunity to go to Galeri in Caernarfon to be ‘App Developers’ for the day.  We had the chance to create an ‘iPhone App’ ourselves which promoted events and attractions in Dyffryn Nantlle and the rest of Gwynedd.  Cyfle in collaboration with Careers Wales had arranged for us to have this special training from David Bough who works for ‘Apple’.

We also had an opportunity to learn a lot about the creative industries sector which is an important sector here in North Wales.  We learnt a lot through the day and succeeded in creating our own ‘App’ which worked in real life.  We would like to thank David very much for all the fantastic training he gave us, to Shân Jones (Cyfle) and Lowri A Jones (Careers Wales) for organising the whole thing and for the warm welcome.  We will be asking Santa to bring us an Apple Mac each for Christmas!  P.s. The chips were very nice too.”

Shân Gwenfron Jones from Cyfle said “Cyfle is very proud to be able to work together with Careers Wales and the young people from Gwynedd on offering fantastic opportunities to open people’s eyes, and hopefully open doors for the future.”

Early in 2012 Cyfle will be working together with PICS, the Film Festival for Young People on holding workshops which will once again open doors for young people in the north to the creative media world.”

AN EXAMPLE OF AN APP CREATED AT THE GLAN-LLYN WORKSHOP

For further details on Cyfle’s work with Careers Wales, or about our iPhone App courses, please contact Shân Gwenfron Jones at the Caernarfon office on 01286 668003 / shan@cyfle.co.uk

The Cyfle staff and board would like to thank Huw Jones for all his hard work and commitment to Cyfle during his 3 years as Cyfle’s Chairperson.

Huw took up the appointment in July 2008 where he was instrumental in helping to steer Cyfle through a challenging and crucial transitional period.  His wealth of experience and mentoring skills enabled the staff to drive the company forwards with confidence and vision.

Huw resigned from the Cyfle chair in June 2011 to take up the post of S4C Chair. We wish him all the best for the future.