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BAFTA in Wales Committee

Cymraeg

09 April 13

Everything we do in Wales relies on the expertise, knowledge and hard work of key industry experts across the country.

BAFTA in Wales Management Committee

Co-opted Members

Elis Owen, BBC Cymru Wales Representative

Huw Rossiter, ITV Wales Representative

Aled Wyn Philips, S4C Representative

After a brief experience in PR and marketing, Aled’s career in broadcasting began in the mid-80’s, firstly as a TV and radio presenter with HTV and BBC Radio Cymru, before moving to S4C, where he is currently Head of On-air Promotions.

During his time at S4C he has influenced the channel’s on-air brand and is particularly proud of introducing the distinctive family of dragons in the 90’s. Over the years the promo team have received numerous international accolades including Promax UK, Promax International, RTS Craft Awards, Sportel, New York Film Festivals, EBU Presentation and the Celtic Media Festival.

A former member of the EBU Presentation Steering Committee, RTS Cymru and board member of Promax UK including Conference Chair in 2005, he now represents S4C on the BAFTA Cymru committee.

His outside interests have included chairing a Cylch Meithrin Committee; Deputy Chair of Ysgol Pwll Coch’s governing body, chairing a local fund raising committee for the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff and since 2008 has chaired the Clwb y Diwc committee which organises monthly Welsh language events in the Canton area. When time allows, he still enjoys DJing and providing sound and lighting support for gigs and events.

Aled is married with one son.

Ian Thomas

Ian is a games developer and writer who has wrestled computers for a living for nearly two decades. He's worked in interactive television, education, puppet-making, film, publishing and the video games industry, where he's been involved in developing a number of award-winning LEGO games for Traveller's Tales. His twisted children's book, "Where's My Shoggoth?", is now available in all good comic shops in the USA and UK -- a board game should follow shortly. He currently leads a world-building team for the interactive event company Profound Decisions, and works for Double Eleven as a gameplay programmer and narrative designer, having just completed and launched the critically acclaimed LittleBigPlanet for the Playstation Vita.

Elected Members

Dewi Vaughan Owen, Chair

Currently Senior Consultant at Advisors in Media (AIM Group UK Ltd) serving a broad UK client base having previously worked for the BBC in Wales for more than thirty two years. Last BBC role was as head of department and Senior Legal and Business Affairs Manager leading a team of lawyers and executives responsible for servicing the English and Welsh language business needs of BBC Wales for both in-house production and external commissioning. Early career included a period as a television studio and outside broadcast director for BBC News & Current Affairs.

Richard Staniforth

Having worked for the BBC in Wales for more than thirty years I am currently the Senior Legal and Business Affairs Manager for BBC Wales leading a team of lawyers and executives responsible for servicing the business needs of the BBC in English and in Welsh for all in-house production and external commissioning. Prior to my present role I was a television studio and outside broadcast director for BBC News & Current Affairs. As a full member of the Academy and Chair of BAFTA in Wales for the past two years it is my intention to seek re-election to the BAFTA in Wales Committee in order that I may assist in delivering a complete cycle of operation under our new Branch Governance and Operating Rules and a successful 2012 British Academy Cymru Awards.

Bruce Steele

Ewen “Bruce” Steele has been involved in Computer Graphics for over 30 years.
Arriving in Cardiff in 1981 as a professional musician, working at Top Rank, Bruce Steele was simultaneously perusing an interest in computers, which were just beginning to become available. It soon became an occupation as he developed the very first interactive TV shows using computers for HTV and S4C. He was a technical consultant for HTV and he was responsible for Stylus in Cardiff setting up the first 3D system outside of London.

Head hunted to London to set up Snapper Bytes (at MGMM) he went on to work as Head of 3D for Complete Video then Click 3x in New York. Returning to London he was co-founder of Glassworks where he was Head of Special Projects and Director of Visual Effects for over 10 years.
In 2006 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Technology from Bournemouth University for his achievements in the computer graphics industry and in education.

He moved back to Wales in 2006 and set up Hyperspace, a concept, technology and CGI consultancy. Since returning to Wales he has created visual FX for films such as Rembrandt and Solomon Kane, worked as a technical consultant on several projects developing ideas and software for entertainment and education. He recently sat on Leighton Andrews Task and Finish Group advising on the future of Digital Technology in Education.

Recently, Bruce has also expanded into App development; his first game for iOS was a 3D flight simulator released in May 2012 which reached the position of best selling Simulation in the UK. The game is called The Dambusters and is the first to be licensed by the MOD/RAF. He is currently working on further App Development and also on VFX for TV shows.

Gary Howe

Having been a casting director for more than twelve years, I am constantly on the look-out for new Welsh talent, whether they are based in Wales or elsewhere. As a proud citizen of Wales I believe I can bring this experience to the BAFTA in Wales committee once more. I already have experience of sitting on the committee for a number of years and found that my day to day work of looking for new talent helped with the task of looking for new young members for BAFTA in Wales. I look forward once more to make a valuable contribution, if elected, to the current BAFTA in Wales committee.

Jill James

Jill was born in Cowbridge, and after initially training in accountancy followed her passion and went to Drama College. Her career spans over 30 years within the Theatre, Film and Television industries as an Actress, radio and TV presenter as well as a Producer. Jill gained National prominence in 1988 as the face of British Gas, which spanned several years. Jill presented and Produced her own daily radio chat show in London, she has numerous Film and TV credits including that as John Irvins assistant on “Hamburger Hill”, her current claim to fame is she is now on “You Tube”!! Co-founder of TAPS, the National scheme to find and train new writing talent for film and television. Jill ran the scheme as Executive Director and Producer for 18 years, also creating TAPS CYMRU. Jill is also a Director of the Literary Agency ‘Culverhouse and James Ltd’, Jill served on the BAFTA COUNCIL in London for 10 years, she created and Chaired the Events and Education section of BAFTA. She was on the SKILLSET TRAINING FORUM, and spent 5 years on the industry panel of Skillset Screen Academy Wales. Jill has returned to Wales and set up “The Barn at West Farm” in Southerndown.

David Ball

David joined the film industry in 1969 as an assistant production accountant and worked at EMI Elstree Studios under the guidance of Brian Forbes. His credits during that time included “The Boyfriend”, “The Railway Children” and “The Go Between.” In 1972, he became a freelance Film Accountant and by 1978 had worked on over twenty films and T.V. series. He took the opportunity to become a Production Manager and, combining his financial and production experiences, quickly became a Line Producer, Producer and Representative for Completion Guarantors. This experience now stretches to more than forty films and TV productions in four continents.

In 1997, David was invited to Cardiff to be the “bondable” Producer on “Up n Under.” This was followed by “Mabinogion”, “House!”, “Last Seduction II” and “The Testimony of Taliesin Jones” which received 5 BAFTA Cymru nominations. Further productions in Wales include “Alone”, ”Anazapta”, “The I Inside” and the BAFTA award winning “Plots with a view”. He has now filmed fifteen times in Wales. An active member of the Production Guild of UK (board member for its inaugural 3 years) David has sat on the “Skillset Cymru” Film Training Panel. He is also an active writer, completing six screenplays, six teleplays, a number of short stories and his first novel.

Sion Clwyd Roberts

Sion joined Cardiff law firm Capital Law in February 2010 is a Media and IP Specialist at having previously spent over 20 years in programme Finance, Legal and Business Affairs Departments at S4C and ITV gaining extensive knowledge of the film and television production and broadcasting businesses.

He currently advises a range of companies in broadcasting, film, television and commercials production and compliance; music publishing and production; and book and online publishing.

He represents the TAC production companies in negotiations with the industry talent unions and has also presented a number of seminars and training sessions to the television production sector.

Sion has previously represented ITV Wales on the BAFTA in Wales management committee, been a council member of TAC and Vice Chairman of the inaugural board of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.

Teresa Hennessy

I attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from 1980 to 1983 studying on the Three Year Performers' Course. After completing the course I returned home to Pembrokeshire, to the Torch Theatre Milford Haven, where I worked for the next year as Assistant Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager and actor, gaining my full Equity card in the process. In the mid eighties I worked for Made in Wales Theatre Company and many years working in repertory theatre followed which took me to most of the theatres in the UK! I have worked in film, television and radio and have a particular passion for new writing. I also have a passion for BAFTA in Wales and I am proud of the development and achievements of our organisation. I am extremely proud of BAFTA in Wales as it strives to support and promote the people and companies in our industry; the progress we have made in the last two years is incredible and I would ask for your vote to help me continue to serve as a committed member of the BAFTA in Wales committee.

Ynyr Williams

Ynyr is Series Producer of Pobol Y Cwm, the BBC’s longest running soap opera. He started his career as an actor. Has worked for all the major broadcasters and was co-founder of SALEM FILMS between 2000 and 2007. [Ynyr Williams] He has also worked for indies like ffilmiau Elidir, Dime Goch and Cwmni Da.

Mark John

An established TV/Radio/Short Film & Feature Film Producer for 28 years:Starting with the BBC (1984-1994); then the independent sector - Prospect Media Group (1994-2000); & Vision Thing Communications (1994-present);Mark is also a graduate of the European media training agency EAVE (2004),whom he now represents in Wales as their National Coordinator.

Mark has worked at a senior level across all media platforms, with extensive award-winning Broadcast TV & Radio output for most of the UK's networks;he has produced numerous short films - including 4 for the BBC & UK FilmCouncil's Digital Visions scheme in 2005/6, with 5 more delivered in 2010-11 for the UK Digital Shorts scheme (financed by the Film Agency for Wales & the UK Film Councilʼs New Cinema Fund).

His recent feature film, ʻA Boy Called Dadʼ (£1.1m budget UK co-production),directed by Brian Percival, starring Ian Hart, with The Works & Kaleidoscope on board for Sales & UK Distribution, premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival in June 2009 and screened at the Soundtrack Festival in Cardiff in November 2009 (Welsh premiere) - it had a UK theatrical release on 30 screens in 2010. Mark represents TAC Council (the Welsh Media Producers Alliance) on Skills & Training policy issues, also representing TAC on the Creative Skillset Cymru National Board and on the Training Framework. Mark also now chairs the Skillset Media Academy for Wales Film & Media Sub-Group - as well as sitting on the SMAW's Management Board.

He is also a Creative Skillset Evaluator & National Assessor and was recently retained as one of their Lead Industry Evaluators for the re-licensing process for the UK-wide Media Academy network - he is also now one of their Short Course assessors for HE and CPD delivery.

Mark is also retained as a Creative Industries Advisor by Cardiff City Council.

Hannah Raybould

Hannah has been a committee member for the past 3 years and represents a link with Higher Education and Training.
Hannah is the Manager of the Skillset Media Academy Wales, a partnership between 4 Universities in Wales (Newport, Aberystwyth, Swansea Metropolitan and Glamorgan).

The Media Academy offers masterclasses, placements, internships and industry information for students and graduates on Creative Skillset accredited courses in film, TV, games, animation, games and VFX. The Academy also coordinates training through the Skillset Academi+ short course project.

Masterclasses – The Media Academy and BAFTA have co-hosted a number of masterclasses, opening out Academy events to a wider audience, in 2012-13 the Media Academy has proposed it will arrange a series of BAFTA Cymru Award winners masterclasses.
Placements and Live Briefs – The Media Academy has arranged for students to film BAFTA Cymru events and to work as interns in the office as required.

Membership and meetings – Hannah has supported the BAFTA staff in encouraging student and career starter memberships, has supported staff with planning meetings and with approaches to award envelope-openers.
Hannah is a Board Member of Ffresh Student Moving Image Festival of Wales and Zoom Young People’s Film Festival and represents Wales on the Skillset Media Academy UK Network as well as acting as an information point for UK Interactive Entertainment in Wales and the Games Wales Group.

Having graduated from Aberystwyth University with an MA Theatre Film and TV and Bath University with a BA Modern Languages and European Studies, Hannah worked as a Location Scout for feature and short films based around Mid Wales and as Administrator on the Aberystwyth Celtic Film and TV Festival before moving to Sgrin Cymru Wales, where she was Marketing Manager, managing the Welsh presence at Cannes and Edinburgh film festivals, and then Marketing Manager UK and Coordinator of the Celtic Film and TV Festival Cardiff 2005.

Melanie Hawthorne

Melanie is currently the Creative Development Officer for the University of Glamorgan , with a background in finance and a degree in Drama, Melanie has worked across many art and creative disciplines as a practitioner and as one of the Project Managers for the Cardiff 2005 £2.5m Cultural Programme.

Melanie has demonstrable knowledge in advising the private, public, political arena on policies and opportunities for economic, social and cultural development in the creative digital economy, and provides high-level experience in project management, trend forecasting and business planning. Melanie has recently contributed to the development and management of creative economy projects and government consultations that include: EU Interreg IVB North West Europe: Promoting Transnational cooperation on entrepreneurship and innovation transfer in Digital Creative Industries ( TransDC) (2011) EU Interreg IVB North West Europe: Economic Clusters of Cultural Organisations (ECCE) – delivery partner (2008-2011) EU Green Paper: Unlocking the potential of the Cultural and Creative industries in Europe (Key contributor as part of Economic Clusters of Cultural Enterprises and Universities UK Submissions, 2010). Academia for Business (A4B) - High Definition Television Seminars (2010) Academia for Business (2009) Feasibility Study: Wales Centre for Research and Enterprise in Creative Industries (with Professor Peter Robertson) , EU User Led Design Innovation paper (2009) Brainport Development and the City of Eindhoven - Cooperation seminar on the benefits of Design Thinking for Innovation in Business (2009).

Melanie has undertaken strategic placements at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the UKIE Games Trade Association and has been an active board member for the City of Cardiff at the UK Cultural Cities Forum (2008) and as a Board Member, Welsh Screen Commission (2006-2007).

Melanie is also currently a Trustee for the Arts Council of Wales.

Sion Hughes

I was recently appointed Senior Busines Affairs Manager at Rights TV and I am responsible for Wales and the West.

Before joining Rights TV I was Head of Business Affairs and a Producer at Wild Dream Films. During my time at Wild Dream Films I produced reality TV Series Big Tiny for US Network Channel Discovery TLC, I was BAFTA Nominated for an S4C Documentary and I was Supervisory Producer on the World's Tallest Man for Discovery US and The Second Coming of Christ for National Geographic Channel.

In my time I have been Chief Executive of Cyfle, Deputy Chief Executive of TAC, Head of Contracts and Senior Unit Manager, Children and Youth at S4C.

The early and middle part of my career involved working in the business end of television but the last 5 years have been a very rewarding experience gained through working as a Producer where I delivered quality programmes for S4C but also gained major US network credits as a Producer with a truly International outlook.

My time at S4C gave me an understanding of life at a Broadcaster. My time at TAC was about learning about what was important for Independent Producer and was an insight into the politics of the industry. My time at Cyfle was very rewarding and all about helping to identify and nurture our talent here in Wales.

At Rights TV I am now working to help and support Welsh Producers again and I am interested in sharing my knowledge and experience through BAFTA.

Sue Jeffries

Sue Jeffries graduated from University College Wales, Aberystwyth and joined ITV as a trainee PA working her way up through the production grades from Principal Production Assistant, to Script Supervisor, Production Manager, Line Producer, Director and Producer. Sue has been freelance since 1989, has worked as a film and television producer and director for more than sixteen years, mainly in the field of drama, children’s and light entertainment. Her latest credits include Executive Producer on The Bright Lights (digital short), and Co-Producer on The British Guide to Showing Off, a feature length documentary funded by Film London and FAW. She recently worked as a Production Manager at the new BBC Drama Village at Roath Lock Cardiff, working with productions such as Casualty, Dr. Who, Pobol Y Cwm and Upstairs Downstairs as they relocated to Wales. Sue also works as an industry trainer and consultant, and provides workshops for agencies and broadcasters such as Cyfle and the BBC.

Tyrone D Murphy

Tyrone D Murphy is based in Newport, Wales and is a long standing member of BAFTA Cymru and BAFTA UK. He is an award winning filmmaker and has produced and directed many of his own films including awarding winning AIDs Awareness documentary “The Hollywood Graffiti Gown”

He is the founder and CEO of the Universal Film and Festival Organisation which promotes best business practices between film festivals and the filmmaking community. UFFO has 180 international film festivals members and has 75 industry committee members in 60 different countries.

Under Tyrone’s leadership UFFO has formed many strategic alliances with many international organizations and bodies such as the Directors Guild of Great Britain, Cinovat, Directors UK, ProductionBase, The Art Cinema Network (3000 cinemas) and many more film commissions and institutions. The Organisation also has implemented a number of innovating programmes including a cost effective film submission service which incorporates a film festival programming and ticketing System. UFFO is also currently developing the UFFO Film Schools Partnership and learning program to help secure positions for film students who graduate from film schools and never work in the industry. The Most important innovation is the UFFO Cinema Archive which aims to transfer and preserve films for future generations in digital format.

Tyrone also serves as the publisher and editor for the non-profit “Universal Film Magazine”, a free professional magazine resource for the film industry, which debuted in 2011 and is now going out to over 1.6 million in over 100 countries.

He also participates in fundraising events to benefit charities such as ty hafan and the Victoria Park Boxing Club in Cardiff and is an advocate for preserving native Welsh cultural heritage to include film, drama and storytelling.

Tyrone was also nominated in 2011 for the Production Base industry Award for his work with UFFO.