Film Student thanks Canolfan S4C Yr Egin for the opportunity to develop

A recently graduated Film student with a first class degree from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is thankful to Canolfan S4C Yr Egin for the opportunity to develop within the field during his time as a student at the University.

Gethin Elwyn from Aberystwyth decided to come and study Film on UWTSD’s Carmarthen campus in the hope that he would be able to collaborate with Yr Egin to gain work experience within the creative industry.

He was lucky enough to have the opportunity to undertake an internship with Canolfan S4C Yr Egin after his lecturers from the Film course encouraged him to apply for the role. He said:

“The internship appealed because it gave me the opportunity to learn skills in media and gain practical and creative experience.”

As an intern, Gethin had the opportunity to gain work experience on the ‘Jonathan’ television series on several occasions, helping with a number of shows and concerts held in Yr Egin by helping with the installation of sound and lighting, camera work and editing videos for Yr Egin. He added:

“It obviously gave something extra to the academic work – something that really made me achieve my full potential at a busy time. There were many moments that make me feel proud. With both things going hand in hand, it made my experience as a student much more valuable. Friendly staff were available to help me, people like Llinos who encouraged me to be able to make the most of the opportunity.”

Gethin also dealt with customers of Yr Egin and worked with young people such as Clwb Canfas to create a short film. He had the opportunity to be a director on this project, assisting with learning about film techniques including camera work, and supervising them throughout the process.

Canolfan S4C Yr Egin Director Carys Ifan said:

“We are extremely proud of Gethin’s success and sincerely congratulate him on graduating with honours. As a student he took every extracurricular opportunity available to him, whether that was work experience with a television company such as Afanti and Boom, as well as an extended period on internship here at Yr Egin working on a host of live and online events. Bridging between education and industry is an important part of Yr Egin’s mission and we look forward to seeing Gethin’s career go from strength to strength.”

As a student, Gethin felt he received good guidance from his lecturers and tutors while studying his Film course. An aspect of the course that Gethin enjoyed was the freedom associated with the course’s projects. He added:

“I did two projects for the two final modules at the end of the University period. I made a short documentary film on the history of apples in Wales. I filmed Sam Robinson Person, a very interesting individual who has moved from England to the Dyfi Valley, has learned Welsh and works as a shepherd, and is now setting up a small cider making business. The film documented Welsh apples. I also interviewed Morgan Owen who works in the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth, and he talked about old names for apples and the history of the names.

“My second project was the short film ‘Croesi Traeth’. I created something with a lot of inspiration from other producers and directors. It is a story about a lonely young man who goes on a journey of emotional awakening from being in a dark time to having hope and inspiring others. I used lines in the film from the poem “Croesi Traeth” by Gwyn Thomas.”

Lecturer Dr Brett Aggersberg added:

“Gethin has been a wonderful student to work with as he has embraced the learning journey. He brought his inquisitive nature and creative mind to our BA Filmmaking degree and applied the theory and processes of this discipline to his work.

“As a proud Welshman and Welsh speaker, Gethin has made the most of the opportunities provided to him while at the University. These included the Internship he began at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin and producing a documentary in Welsh celebrating the language and its connection with the traditional farming of cider apples.

“Gethin hopes to move forward with his career in creative film production through the medium of Welsh in Wales.”

Gethin has now graduated and is currently developing creative projects, and is determined to gain work in media.

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476