High-flying recruits for TV company
A television production company in Gwynedd has recruited a trio of high-flying trainees including one who has already worked on several Hollywood blockbuster movies.
All three said that the recent decision to turn Cwmni Da, based in Caernarfon, into a staff-owned company had attracted them to the award-winning firm which prides itself on “nurturing talented young people”.
The new starters include trainee editor Tomos Morris Jones, 22, from Tregarth, near, Bangor, and trainee multi-skilled sound technician Dan Jones, 27, who hails originally from Cardiff but now lives in Tudweiliog, on the Llŷn Peninsula.
Also among them is Siwan Cati, 25, from Llanfair PG, on Anglesey, whose credits already include the animated science-fiction adventure film, Isle of Dogs.
It was written, produced and directed by Wes Anderson, and features the voices of Breaking Bad star Brian Cranston, Oscar winner Tilda Swinton and top comedy actor Bill Murray, of Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters fame.
Siwan, who’s now training to become a post-production technician at Cwmni Da, has also worked on the live action remake of the Tom and Jerry cartoons by Warner Bros and Maleficent 2, the Disney film starring Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer, that will be having its European premiere in Rome on October 7.
Siwan said: “I originally wanted to be an editor but after leaving university I was offered a job as a camera trainee in London on the Isle of Dogs which was being made by Wes Anderson. I stayed for two years and learned a lot. It was a fantastic experience and gave me a lot of skills.
“Post-production is what I really want to do and I knew Cwmni Da had an excellent reputation and the change in the company structure was also part of the reason I was so keen to get a job here.”
Dan Jones said: “Cwmni Da makes an incredible range of programmes here, everything from children’s shows, to entertainment programmes and documentaries so there a lots of opportunities here.”
Tomos Morris Jones, who gained a first class degree in journalism and media at Bangor University this summer, said: “I’m very proud that I have been chosen to get a job here straight after graduating because I’ve been watching Cwmni Da productions for years and I came here on work experience when I was at school. I knew they were a good company and I am sure I will enjoy working here.”
Managing director Dylan Huws said: “We’re always on the lookout for fresh talent that can bring new energy and ideas to Cwmni Da.
“We also think it’s the duty of a company like ours to offer training to people who want to work in and contribute to the industry, especially in this part of the world.”