CASE STUDIES

Here is a video introduction to Chloe:

Here is a video introduction to Bethan:

Here is a video introduction to Helena:

What’s your name and where are you from originally?

Hi, I’m Neve and I am from Cardiff.

Why did you decide to apply for the CRIW apprenticeship?

After completing a Media and Communications degree, I realised that I really wanted to pursue a career in the film and television industry. I wanted to become a part of the production process. However, I was unsure about how to approach this. After doing some research, I found Sgil Cymru CRIW apprenticeship. I applied and was lucky enough to be accepted.

What’s your goal/ideal job when the apprenticeship finishes and what would you like to get out of the apprenticeship?

I don’t have any experience within production, so really I just want to learn all of the ins and outs of the film and television industry. To become a part of the behind-the-scenes experience. I’m not really sure what my ideal job is at the moment due to not having much experience but I have been intrigued by producing, so maybe that could be a possibility in the future.

Here is a video introduction to Pawel:

Here is a video introduction to Evan:

Here is a video introduction to Josh:

Here is a video introduction to Tim:

Here is a video introduction to Kaitlin:

Here is a video introduction to Jordan:

Here is a video introduction to Mia:

Here is a video introduction to Jasper:

Here is a video introduction to Matthew Marais:

Here is a video introduction to Charles Strider:

Tereza is working on the production ‘WOLF’.

1. Where have you been placed and what are you up to?

I have a work placement on a TV production called ‘Wolf’. I’ve been working as a Production Runner.

2. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had so far?

The biggest surprise is probably the amount of women working on the production and also the amount of people from outside the UK – it is nice to know that the production you’re working on is open to diversity and appreciates people from different backgrounds.

3. Are you working with any other current or past apprentices?

Yes, I’ve been working with Megan Sanders, who completed her apprenticeship last year. She was lucky enough to get on this production right after the end of her apprenticeship which makes me feel confident about finding a job once finishing this. She originally started here as a production runner and she recently got promoted to Production Secretary.

4. What’s the best part of the experience so far?

Meeting new people, learning and exploring Wales every single day. We work in a production van that travels to most of the shooting locations, so you’re not stuck in an office for the whole day and you get to see the beauty of Wales. And also food! The catering is amazing, almost feels like a food festival.

5. What’s been the greatest challenge?

The greatest challenge (so far) has been definitely changing a tyre on the company’s car that I’ve been given as a runner. Not quite my cup of tea.

Stephen is working on The Pact II.

1. Where have you been placed and what are you up to?

l have been placed in the locations department of The Pact ll produced by Little Door Productions. I am currently on location in a rather grand house. My job is to come in before the Unit Call and make sure things are ready in the location so that all the other departments can arrive and immediately get to work and prepare to start shooting. l make sure the location is open and the EasyUps are up and the bins are out ready for the breakfast detritus. If the production needs things moving we get a shout on the radio. We organise parking the technical vehicles and make sure everyone has access to the location. We set up and organise the dining area for all the crew, and Marshall traffic when filming on public streets.

2. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had so far?

The biggest surprise so far is how welcoming all the crew have been. The hours are long and the weather has been testing but the fortitude and camaraderie of the crew has been wonderful.

3. Are you working with any other current or past apprentices?

l bumped into Will and Alex who work for Real SFX… They were having to manage a fire in the house and came prepared with cannisters of gas and burners. We compared Sgil Cymru notes…

4. What’s the best part of the experience so far?

Being recognised as part of the team and getting to know people. Becoming more confident because the first day is scary, you feel vulnerable and a bit lost but you find a bit of bravery and get on with it. It also helps that the people around you are supporting you all the way. Everyday you learn a little bit more.

5. What’s been the greatest challenge?

Night shoots and rain together can be draining. You need very good waterproof, warm, clothing. A big bag with clothes for every season a must. But rain and cold can be hard. But a bigger challenge is not overeating. The catering is very good, plus there are snacks and biscuits always on hand. Resisting temptation is a huge challenge.

Dan has been working in post-production with Gorilla.

1.Where have you been placed and what are you up to?

I am currently working for Gorilla, a company that deals with all aspects of post production, for example, editing and grading.

2.What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had so far?

I didn’t realise the steps that needed to happen in every TV program during the post-production process. It’s not just editing, colour grading and dubbing but also sound mixing, quality control and special effects as well as understanding the role of the post production supervisor and so on.

3. Are you working with any other current or past apprentices?

I’m working with Alex Evans who was a CRIW apprentice with Sgil Cymru in 2021-22.

4. What’s the best part of the experience so far?

Meeting the talent working with the company, either in Cardiff or at Gorilla’s new offices in Bristol.

5. What’s been the greatest challenge?

On my second week of being a runner, the other runners were taken ill which meant I had to work the three floors of the building looking after staff and clients before then having to drive to Bristol and Hereford to collect the “rushes ” for the programmes. Despite the long days, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge!

Megan Sanders is currently a Production Secretary on ‘WOLF’.

Where was your first placement with Sgil Cymru?  

My first placement with Sgil Cymru was with Gorilla Post Production. I was their office/floor runner. It was different to how I’d imagined starting my film/tv career, starting at the end of a show rather than the start, but it gave me an amazing insight into how Post Production works, how much time and detail is dedicated to every frame, was a really interesting experience. My main responsibility was making sure the day to day running of the office was smooth: running drives between floors, cleaning editing suites, ensuring the kitchen fully stocked and stationary is ordered, ordering lunches and making tea and coffee.

When was the moment that things began to fall into place? That you knew you were in the right place? 

Probably during my time at Gorilla, I ran into a lot of people my dad used to work with at the BBC, as an editor. It was really cool to be in a similar place to where he was 30 years ago. That really was the foundation for my confidence, which just increased as I continued throughout the year.

What’s the biggest obstacle you think you’ve overcome either during or following on from your apprenticeship?

Probably dealing with real life events alongside working. Life outside of filming doesn’t stop, and sometimes it can feel like taking a sick day, or a mental day is the end of the world, but it most definitely is not. The hours can be really gruelling so having the confidence to say ‘hey I’m struggling a bit’ was a challenging. However Sue and Nadine were so helpful and understanding.

What’s the best piece of advice you were given as an apprentice? 

Learn how to make a good cup of tea. Everyone has tea slightly differently, if you take the time to ask someone how they like their tea, chances are that’ll start a conversation, which is really handy when finding out what department you want to try.

What advice would you give to someone starting out as an apprentice? 

It is hard work, but it’s definitely worth it. My year as an apprentice was really hectic, lots of ups and downs, but now I’m working in the industry I love, and coming to work is a joy not a chore. You get out what you put in to this apprenticeship. If you jump head first and give 100% you’ll have nothing to worry about come the end of your apprenticeship.

UPDATE SUMMER 2023