UWTSD students showcase alumni stories in film project
First-year film students at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) recently completed an assignment that gave them hands-on experience and saw them collaborate with alumni of film programmes of the past.
Students in their first year of BA Digital Media Production and BA Adventure Filmmaking at UWTSD were this academic year assigned a unique project named, Alumni Stories, as part of one their assessed modules.
The assignment brief was to create a short form factual film featuring interviews with UWTSD Film alumni that had volunteered their time to give back to this student experience by sharing not only their stories but their expertise.
Students involved in this live project were pleased to have the practical experience and the opportunity to meet successful alumni.
James Bevan, a first-year student of BA Adventure Filmmaking said:
“The experience of doing this project was both beneficial and interesting. Hearing the stories from each individual alumni was both intriguing and informative and gave a good range of perspectives as to how we as students could use this course and develop a career out of it.”
Gabe Morris, who is in his first year of BA Digital Media Production said:
“I found myself looking up to the alumni, and I hope that after I graduate I can follow in their footsteps and build a successful career and maybe even one day return as a graduate myself to share my story.”
Among the alumni involved was Tom Smith, a 2022 graduate of BA Adventure Filmmaking who enrolled for the one-of-a-kind course after deciding to pursue his passion for outdoor adventure with the aim of forming a career out of it.
In his interview with the students, Tom said:
“The course breeds passion for filmmaking. It gave me the base knowledge and understanding of the many aspects of film, from traditional techniques to practical aspects.
“Through industry experience, I was also able to develop my interpersonal skills which have helped me build professional relationships and networks.”
Tom is now an adventure filmmaker, and owner of Remote Horizon, a business that facilitates adventure filmmaking safety skills. Talking about his achievement, in one of the students’ films, Tom said: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the course, that’s for sure.”
Another alumnus involved was James Owen, who graduated in 2021 from BA Filmmaking. His expertise was particularly useful to the students as he has created his own business in interview style documentary film production, called Stori Cymru.
James said: “I came to UWTSD to hone my craft and I left with a degree and business in hand. The course gave me opportunities and to develop my skills and try different things, and now I want to be able to give back and help others gain experience in this creative field.
“It was honour to be asked to come back to take part in this project and I hope I can inspire current students as well as prospective students of the Film courses here.”
Brett Aggersberg, Senior Lecturer of Film and Digital Media at UWTSD said:
“This project has been a fantastic introduction to filmmaking for our new students. It has helped them develop key skills in camera work, lighting, sound, and editing, that will support their future projects.
“It has also been inspiring for them to see where the degrees we offer at the University can take them in their professional lives. Seeing familiar faces return to the campus to inspire the next generation of filmmakers was also a proud moment for me and a testament to the work we do to support our students and graduates.”
You can view some of the students’ interviews with Tom Smith and James Bowen on the UWTSD Adventure Filmmaking and Digital Media YouTube channel.
Further Information
Mared Anthony
Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: +447482256996