In 2016 Osian Davies, 20 from Glan Conwy, completed his Level 3 Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media through Sgil Cymru. Osian worked as a Factual Production Apprentice at BBC Cymru Wales in Llandaff. Since finishing his apprenticeship Osian has continued to work within the factual department in BBC Cymru Wales. Here’s his story.
Prior to his media apprenticeship Osian was working in a hotel restaurant whilst studying towards his A Levels in North Wales.
Osian said:
When I started studying my A Levels I thought I wanted to be a performer. Soon enough I realised that it wasn’t for me and that I wanted to work behind the scenes of a production. I also came to the realisation that I didn’t want to go to University either. I don’t see myself as an academic person and found that vocational learning suited me best. Following this, I started looking for media apprenticeships in theatre and media and stumbled upon the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.
Following his appointment as Factual Production Apprentice Osian started working on programmes including The One Show, BBC Young Musician, X-Ray, Bargain Hunt and Coast.
Osian had the opportunity to take on many different tasks throughout his apprenticeship including research work on The One Show. His duties included sourcing stories, contributors, locations and archive for the shoots. This gave Osian the opportunity to work closely with the Directors, Production Management Assistants and Series Producers and to help take the story from beginning to broadcast. Osian’s job changed on a daily basis and allowed Osian to work on a variety of different programmes and gain invaluable experience.
Osian said:
I had the chance to look after contestants and the judges on BBC Young Musician, maintain the camera kit and help set it up on location with X-Ray alongside shadowing the Runners on Bargain Hunt whilst helping them set up casting calls and filming on location.
Following his apprenticeship, Osian started working as a Runner on Bargain Hunt and has continued to work for BBC Cymru Wales since. As well as this Osian has returned to work on The One Show and is now working as a Casting Researcher on Bargain Hunt.
Osian said:
The apprenticeship allowed me to show my true potential. It gave me more confidence and the hands-on training and experience I needed.
UPDATE SPRING 2022
Osian is currently a Technical Assistant and Drone Operator and is working for the BBC.
1. Where was your first placement with Sgil Cymru?
My first placement was for the factual department with The One Show VT Team in Cardiff. At the time, it was BBC Cymru but it’s now known as BBC Studios. I helped research potential stories and helped with getting the kit ready for those stories.
2. When was the moment that things began to fall into place? That you knew you were in the right place?
On my first placement with The One Show, we were filming a story I’d set up in Bath on the Box Tunnel. I learnt how the kit worked and met people who were eager to share their stories. And that was the moment I realised I wanted to do camera work. I was asked to collect GV’s for another film. Back in the editing suite, the director was happy with my work – that’s when I knew that camera work was what I wanted to do in the future.
3. What’s the biggest obstacle you think you’ve overcome either during or following on from your apprenticeship?
I think the biggest thing I’ve overcome is finding my self-confidence within the work and to start believing in myself. In this industry, it’s easy to lose your confidence and to second guess what you’re doing, especially when you compare it to other people’s work as well as their expectations for that work.
4. What’s the best piece of advice you were given as an apprentice?
‘Just do it’. If you want to work with the camera, take pictures or film stuff in your spare time.
5. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an apprentice?
Listen to the people who are around you on your placement. They all want to help, and they want you to succeed. If you have a question or don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask, everyone understands you’re there to learn.