07 May 2013

S4C has announced the names of two writers who have won a place on a training scheme which is being held in conjunction with It's My Shout.

Ciron Gruffydd of Tremadog and Elgan Rhys of Pwllheli will now receive help to develop their scriptwriting skills and write a short film each. Ciron will work on a film in Senghennydd, near Caerphilly, and Elgan on a film in Bala in Gwynedd. Both films will be broadcast on S4C in the future.

Ciron is 28 years old and comes from Tremadog near Porthmadog in Gwynedd. He has worked as a freelance writer for two years, and Ciron says that this scheme is an excellent opportunity for him to develop his skills, "It's an honour to be given this opportunity to work on a short film in the community of Senghennydd, with it being the 100th anniversary of Britain's worst mining disaster. And working with S4C and BBC through It's My Shout, is an excellent chance to develop as a writer. The film will be a work of fiction but in the next few weeks I'm hoping to spend time in Senghennydd talking to local people to gather inspiration, which is a new approach for me."

Elgan is 21 years old and is about to finish a three year Theatre and Drama course at University of South Wales' Atrium in Cardiff and is glad of the chance to work on an exciting project straight from college, he says, "It's an honour to get this chance to work on a project in a field I want to work in. It's an opportunity for me to get my name out there as a television and theatre writer. I'll be travelling back and fourth to Bala in the next few weeks to research and create my story. I have a few ideas and I want to create a current film for young people that people can relate to. I'm also looking forward to working with director Hefin Rees and to learn from his experience."

S4C Head of Partnerships, Catrin Hughes Roberts, says that the scheme is an important investment in new talent, "We're very proud of the partnership with It's My Shout. They have succeeded to find two individuals who have huge potential for success as television script writers, and I wish them luck as they embark on the scheme. S4C puts great emphasis on developing talents to ensure the strength of our creative industries for the future and produce excellent content for Welsh people."

Roger Burnell, Managing Director of It’s My Shout Productions, says, "This is a really exciting project for everyone involved, including the communities of Senghennydd and Bala, who will get the opportunity to influence the shape of the project alongside our two directors, Hefin Rees and Mared Swain. We are delighted to be working with and supporting the development of new writers and directors, through the medium of Welsh, in partnership with S4C. The two short films which will result from this project are being produced as part of the wider MADE IN WALES series of short films alongside BBC Cymru Wales, as a key broadcaster. We are very excited to be collaborating with both S4C and BBC Cymru Wales on this project, who provide such a great platform and support system for the talent involved”.

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