Great opportunity for creative students

CANOLFAN S4C Yr Egin in Carmarthen is collaborating with Coleg Sir Gar to provide opportunities for its students who are studying the creative industries.

Students recently set about pitching creative ideas to Shwmae Sir Gar’s production team, namely Yr Egin and Carlam, and the winners’ ideas will be filmed and broadcast online.

During a visit at the beginning of term Carys Ifan, director of Yr Egin, set a challenge for the students to develop an idea for the Shwmae Sir Gar platform.

Shwmae Sir Gar is a digital channel forming part of the S4C Lleol (S4C Local) pilot.

One of the project’s aims is also to create opportunities to develop new talent, whether in front of or behind the camera.

The aim of the challenge was to offer the students experience of the world of work, with the best candidates having the opportunity to sell their ideas in front of a panel similar to the popular ‘Dragons’ Den’ programme.

The winning students will work with a professional crew to see the idea come to fruition from paper to screen.

A range of workshops and masterclasses were held for the students at Coleg Sir Gar to help them develop their ideas and skills and broaden their understanding.

Claire Mackerras from Coleg Sir Gar said: “The collaboration has been a great opportunity for our students for their induction projects.

“It has enabled students to benefit from the workshops provided by Yr Egin, and to gain confidence and skills in preparing for an opportunity to work with industry workers while presenting their ideas.”

This was an opportunity for the students to be able to present their ideas, answer questions from industry panel members and have real experience of pitching. According to the panel, all of the ideas were good and would work well on the Shwmae Sir Gar platform.

Euros Llyr Morgan of Carlam said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic experience to work with the students - an experience that has enabled us to emphasise what West Wales has to offer in relation to the creative industry.

“I look forward to working with the students over the coming weeks as we continue to develop the skills and ideas of future film producers.”