‘Its My Shout 2008’

Location filming at Brynmawr Comprehensive Monday 4th. August 2008

Last week, Brynmawr Comprehensive was a home for a day for an important film shoot, part of the ‘It’s My Shout’ media skills scheme.

Produced by Rebecca Davies, co-ordinated by Harriet Hopkins, and sensitively directed by Anthony James, the film being made was ‘Running Pains’ written by Tyler Keevil. The Director of Photography was Hadyn Denman and the Sound Recordist was Brian Murrell.

This ten minute film sets out to tell the story of young Rhys, played by William Turrell, illustrating the problems and the struggle with competition involved in becoming a successful young sports person. The fast moving action is complete with two real nasties all in black - the sports coaches played by Magnus Hinde and Peter Richards.

Over 80 people were involved in the shoot, including a 19 strong cast, and filming started straight after breakfast at 9.00 am. Everyone had a really great time with much humor and friendliness all around.

Actors had come from all over Wales, the furthest coming from Kidwelly.
Marlene Griffiths, who played the Medal Bearer, had taken three hours to get to Brynmawr, and it would take her the same to return home. She was not in the least bit daunted by this having been associated with many Welsh TV productions before and really enjoying the work. She said that she did it ‘for love, not money!’. She had been attending a writers workshop where she had heard about the shoot and decided it was a good thing to do.

Richard H. Pritchard, who played the prize-giving Mayor, travelled up from Glynneath with his friend Port Talbot based scriptwriter  Kevin Johnson (awarded best writer/director Act Swansea, during the Film Festival this June).

Kevin was involved in the production as an extra and said ‘ It is great to see everyone, especially the young people, having an opportunity to gain a fascinating insight into the professional operation of the film industry’.

Actor Christopher Dickson who played the starting official agreed. ‘I think it’s great for local talent, actors and directors to have an opportunity to show their abilities in a prestigious and nationally supported situation’.
Barry photographer Vernetta O’Connor said “It is really nice seeing a large team of young people working together patiently and with attention to produce a professional product”.

Valerie Brown, one of  the production team originally came from Argentina. After some years at college here, she has just about completed her MA at Newport Art College. In a few weeks she is going back to Argentina where she will direct and film her course final film in Spanish. ‘I am quite confident I will do it well’ she said, ‘but it is valuable to spend this practical day involved in a professional level production’.

The ‘It’s my Shout’ scheme originated in Bridgend in 2003, and was intended to offer practical experience in film, television and media, providing hands-on training working alongside film professionals.

From this simple beginning, it has now developed into a National Short Film Scheme. It is supported by strong partnerships with ITV Wales, Sony, BBFC, the Film Agency for Wales, Barcud Derwen Studios, the Skillset Screen Academy Wales, TAPS Cymru, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, CYFLE, five Local Authorities, Barclays, Arts and Business Cymru, CIRIC and Hugh James Solicitors.

Over the last five years, thousands drawn from across South and West Wales have taken an active part. Many of them have gone on to find employment in the media industry, as a spin off from their participation.

Last year 6 short films of 10 minutes duration were successfully produced across different areas of South and West Wales.  Shown on air by ITV Wales and supported by an accompanying documentary, the films created were presented to a selected audience last October in a prestigious ‘red-carpet’ awards ceremony. It is intended to host a similar presentation featuring this year’s 7 shorts, offering media exposure to celebrate the hard work of all those taking part.

“‘It’s My Shout’ spreads opportunities far and wide and demands the highest standards of everybody which is why it’s such a great scheme’”
Peter Edwards, Head of Drama ITV Wales.