The Making Of Made in Wales

This year's 11th It's My Shout Awards

was the best to date.

It premiered eight short films made by young people all over Wales.

Over 1,500 people including cast and crew, celebrities

and industry professionals attended the event

to honour the up-and-coming film-makers.

Over the last decade,

It's My Shout has proved itself as a training ground for young people

entering into film, television and theatre.

To date, over 900 people have since found work in the industry.

It's My Shout creator Roger Burnell

has watched the scheme grow from strength to strength

and still believes that the focus of the project

should be offering opportunities

to first-time scriptwriters, directors and young people.

It's important that we give people

the confidence to feel they've got a place in the industry

through basically giving them practical experiences.

Off set, the production office, with a mentor,

who can give them that confidence and, I suppose,

the self-esteem and belief that they can do something,

which is creative and exciting.

The scheme makes films all over Wales.

It looks to target areas

people often don't expect film talent to come from.

The importance of going into places like the Valleys

and to Pontypridd, my hometown, is that it isn't always

perceived as being something that people do, you know?

It's something, filming that is, that other people do.

What we try to do is engage with people to get them

to feel that they can find a role in the industry, if it's appropriate.

And that the Valleys is a rich hotbed of talent,

whether it's in front of or behind the camera.

Slate eight, take one.

This was the first year eight short films were made.

Six in English language for BBC Wales and, for the first time,

two Welsh-language films were made for S4C.

Stories ranged from the Senghenydd mining disaster to

a bilingual bank robbery.

This programme follows three people who took part in one of the films.

Now Or Never is based on the Elvis Festival in Porthcawl.

# It's now or never... #

The film is directed by Lawrence Fowler

and was written by Nick Grantham.

It follows a father and daughter who travelled to Porthcawl

to compete in the Elvis Tribute Festival.

Now or never is a coming-of-age story about a 15-year-old girl, who,

every year, along with her father, performs at the Elvis Festival.

This year, she feels she is kind of growing out of it,

she feels, and she's trying to basically build the courage to

tell her father that she no longer wants to perform.

Action.

I'm trying to capture what the script captures.

It's a really nice balance of drama and comedy.

I think whenever you think of Elvis, the Elvis Festival, you picture

vibrant colours and an exciting, hopefully, ten-minute enjoyable film.

The lead actress was from the Rhondda.

After performing in youth theatre,

she jumped at the opportunity to work in film.

My name's Becky Owen,

I'm 16 years old and I'm from Ynyswen in the Rhondda.

Becky had to go through a rigorous audition process which is

held for every It's My Shout film.

The audition, for me, was a bit hard at the start

because I was really ill for the first edition,

so I couldn't make it.

I had my mother to put my name down and see how well I got on from that.

And then I had another call back.

Becky auditioned at BBC Wales alongside hundreds of other

hopefuls and immediately impressed the director.

-He's been looking forward to it all year.

-He'll be OK.

I only had a few tears when I told him

and your situation isn't exactly the same.

When we first auditioned Rebecca,

we knew she was really good for the role.

She had the look, she was very talented as an actress

and, again, she was very co-operative with me.

Anything I threw at her in terms of ideas, she smiled and went, "Yep."

And she pulled it off.

Her mother, Victoria, had never acted before.

She was shocked when asked to try out for a role in the film.

There wasn't a lot of adult auditionees there

and they just asked me, "Would you be interested in auditioning?"

I was like, "I've never done anything like this." Really nervous.

The family didn't hear anything

for a few weeks, until they had a call when they were out shopping.

We were in the middle of Tesco's with some knickers in one hand,

bras in the other hand, mobile phone goes and they said that

I had the part of Grace and I just replied, "You're having a laugh!"

And then they said that Rebecca had the part of Anwyn, so I let out

a big scream and got some funny looks from people in Tesco's.

Then when I told Rebecca the news, she gave a scream, as well,

so we had a second look, as well.

Each film is made exactly like a feature film

and includes all departments.

One of the trainee sound operators was picked from the Rhymni Valley.

My name is Luke Walters, I'm 19 years old

and I live in a small village in the Rhymni Valley called Pontlottyn.

It's a village with a very tiny community, to be honest.

Everyone knows everyone. It's a nice place to be.

It's quiet because the age range is basically 40 plus.

There's not that many youngsters here, which makes it a nice place

to grow up because there's no trouble, really.

As well as being interested in film,

Luke has an unusual hobby. Wrestling.

Boys and girls, if it's a wrestler you like, you've got to cheer!

If it's a wrestler you hate, you've got to boo,

you've got to make some noise.

There's only one thing for me to say.

Let's get ready to rumble!

My main hobby and biggest interest would be wrestling.

When I hit about 11, I had a mad love of wrestling.

My teacher said to me, she said, "You may as well leave it

"because you're never going to be a wrestler, so what's the point?"

And, now look.

Wrestling is all showmanship.

You have to know where your audience is, what things you're going to do

for your audience and how to get yourself over.

You have to know your audience, know what's going to happen

and you have to get that over to the audience.

That's where I think the similarities are, to be honest.

Oh! Oh! Oh!

Although Luke appears on stage as a wrestler,

performance doesn't really run in the family.

One exception is his granddad, who was part of a Valleys band

in the '70s.

The media side does not run in my family at all.

The furthest we got that was loosely connected would be my grandfather

and that would be years ago, when he was going round

the pubs and clubs in the '70s as part of a band and a singer.

He recorded his own record. That's it, basically.

It kind of popped up out of nowhere.

All my family are labourers, painter and decorators

and there's me who's slightly creative.

Film-making was kind of like an accident.

I got bored one day with a camera and all my mates and thought,

let's give film-making a go. I was proper up for it, like.

They all dropped it after we made one short film

when we were about 13 or 14 and I loved it and I kept on.

The art department's role is designing and dressing

the various locations.

Working with a script, the producer and director,

they help create the look.

Our third trainee is also from the Rhondda Valley.

Woo!

I'm Lucy Robertson, I'm 19 and I'm from Gelli in the Rhondda Valleys.

My hobbies are mountain biking, that's my main hobby.

I've been doing it now for two years.

I go everywhere mountain biking. It's a big part of my life.

Lucy lives with her grandma, who has always encouraged her love of art.

I definitely feel, growing up in this house, I've been

surrounded by art all my life, so my grandmother is a brilliant artist

so that's where I get my artistic side, as well.

I've always found art is quite therapeutic, isn't it?

In so many different ways.

Lucy has been lucky because she's loved music,

she's loved every aspect of the arts.

We've tried to introduce her to everything.

She didn't really enjoy school but was interested in art

and prop making.

She contacted Roger Burnell to get involved with It's My Shout.

I got in contact with Roger.

I send this e-mail, I don't know what I was saying in this e-mail,

it's probably so embarrassing to look back now, but I was basically

saying, could you just give me a chance to prove myself, show myself?

He invited me down to the office and then we just got talking.

I think he wanted to see what I was about, really.

I don't think I made it clear in my e-mail.

I'm terrible at that sort of stuff but I think he could see that

I was enthusiastic and I was quite passionate about what I did.

She designed the props for Now Or Never.

One scene called for quirky Elvis garden gnomes.

I've been making these Elvis gnomes for the character's

front garden, just to give that bit of charm in the script,

that bit of comedy.

Day one of filming saw Lucy's gnomes take pride of place on set.

All three trainees came together for filming on location in Aberdare.

And, action.

# It's now or never...#

Today is our day.

Lucy worked to dress the set,

Luke took to working on the sound mixer and boom

and Becky acted alongside her mother as her character, Anwyn,

set off for the Elvis Festival with her father.

-The little hand says?

-It's time to rock'n'roll.

It's been the first day on set today. It's been absolutely amazing.

I've really enjoyed myself.

Everyone's been really friendly and gave me a lot of confidence

and just said, "Just go with the flow," really.

It's been a really good experience for me, as well.

I think everything has gone quite well for me today,

better than I expected to be, because as soon as I come on set

I thought, oh, gosh, I'm really nervous,

and I thought I'd mess up a lot,

but I think everything has gone smoothly today.

It's best to get it over and done with.

-Like ripping off a plaster.

-Come on!

CAR HORN BEEPS

A really stuck-on plaster.

It's been absolutely brilliant.

Everybody has been absolutely amazing, haven't they?

Just made us feel really at home,

because I was really nervous this morning and couldn't eat

and felt sick this morning, but, yes,

it's been really, really amazing.

It's quite surreal waiting all this time

and then it's actually finally here but, yes, it's been a really,

really good experience and obviously working with Becky

has made it even more special.

It's been really good, hasn't it?

I think the next two days are going to be amazing.

Just like this one, I think. I'm going to have a lot of experience

out of the whole weekend, filming.

I'm just going to take a lot back with me

and actually be able to just go out there and just be myself, really,

and just see how far I go with filming

and just doing what I love doing, really.

THEY LAUGH

I don't think I have got a favourite part of the day.

Everything's been really good and it's just made me happy.

Really exciting.

Just can't wait for the rest of the weekend now.

The second day of filming took place on the Porthcawl seafront.

Based loosely on the Elvis Festival that takes place here every year,

it was the perfect location for filming Now Or Ever.

Extras were brought onto the set to create the festival feel.

# I'm all shook up... #

Working outside in a noisy location presented a number of tricky

sound issues for Luke.

All trainees are paired with mentors who guide them.

Luke was mentored by Nigel Tidball,

a drama and documentary sound recordist.

# I'll all shook up. #

Slate 16, take one.

Being on set is actually what I thought it would be like.

It's a very productive environment, to be honest.

Everyone's eager to get the job done

and just progress on with the film, really.

So, yeah, I expect it to be like this.

It's different being behind the camera for a change

but it's all good, really.

It's been great working with Nigel, he's a really great mentor,

very hands-on. Shows you what to do and just gets you straight in there.

He showed me how to work a sound mixer,

how to rig a boom, and just left us to it, really.

It's a great learning experience for me, to be with such a great mentor.

You know, you can leave it.

I reckon the setting will be there

but unless a heavy lorry or a motorbike...

-Yeah.

-That's lovely, that type of level.

Just to check that they've connected.

Yeah.

So far it's going great. I operated the boom first

and yesterday as well. Does hurt the arms a bit

but now I'm on the sound mixer, so it's all good, really.

Working in the sound department doesn't just involve holding a boom.

Sound levels have to be monitored, which can prove tricky

when working outside.

I didn't think they'd have a sound mixer on set.

I just through it would be a straight boom but it's good to learn

different aspects of the sound department, to be honest.

Augie, Augie, Augie!

Lucy had the difficult job of recreating the look

and feel of an Elvis Festival.

She set up the location to look as though acts were arriving,

ready for competition.

Today we've been putting the banner up on the Grand Pavilion

to show the Elvis festival theme going on.

And we've also put posters as well outside the Grand Pavilion

and just put them in a casing, just to get that feel of a competition,

so that's mainly what we've been doing today.

Her mentor was experienced art director Nick Burnell.

He has worked all over the world and was happy to offer Lucy advice.

Nick...I couldn't have done anything without Nick.

He's really, really helped me throughout.

I'm learning daily, like, even hourly with Nick.

He's really pushing me to learn and he's really pushing me

just to get out there, really,

and just get stuck in, which I struggled with at the start.

But he's given me a lot of confidence to get in there

and just start learning.

I love it.

I never thought I'd enjoy it this much.

I'm enjoying every aspect of it.

Even when we're waiting around I'm still learning,

I'm still picking up things off other people so I'm really enjoying it.

And...action!

This part of the film had focused on Becky's character, Anwen,

and her father arriving ready for the competition.

But Lucy had to think ahead about the third day.

Tomorrow... I'm quite nervous for tomorrow, actually.

The registration hall I think is going to be the biggest challenge.

Just because we have to make it look as if it's nice and fresh

and new, and then the next scene is to do with everyone's gone to

the actual festival and they've left this room in a state.

So trying to get that transition is going to be quite tough,

I think, but I'm excited.

# To have the girl that I love so fine... #

On the final day, Lucy's first big challenge was to make sure

the registration room was properly set up for competition.

And with all the Elvises on set she was preparing for a busy time.

You know what, I'm quite looking... I'm proud of this.

I think this is quite convincing.

This is what I imagined and even more, to be honest.

But I'm really looking forward to setting up the stage downstairs,

the main stage, cos I think that

we're going to have a bit of fun with that.

Going to try and make it look intense and get the lighting right and just

make sure everything is set up like you would in a rock'n'roll concert.

So think that's going to be my favourite bit.

I'm waiting for it.

As she built up to the last scene,

Lucy reflected on what she had learned from the experience so far.

From day one to now I have learned more than I ever thought I'd learn.

This is completely different to what I thought it would be.

It's better than what I thought it would be as well.

I know that might sound a bit...but I really, thoroughly enjoyed this.

And through doing this I just know I want to do this in the future

as well, so it's been a really, really good experience.

And I'm so glad I've done it.

Take one, guide track.

The final day also encouraged Luke

to reflect on his experience in the sound department.

The most interesting part of the three days is actually working

with Nigel and learning about the different aspects of sound

and different characters in the sound and learning the sound mixer,

cos I've never been in the sound department.

I was standing with a boom in behind the Steadicam,

so it's all good, really.

Although he learned a lot over the three days,

day two proved to be his biggest challenge.

My favourite scene in the film over the last three days would have

to be the promenade scene with the two characters walking and talking.

Because we couldn't get the boom in right,

I had to jump up on a bench and go right on top and get over

and it was windy and it was starting to rain so I was getting battered

and nearly went with the boom. It's quite funny for me

but it was hard to hold on, but that was my favourite scene, to be honest.

Action!

So what is it about Elvis that makes you come back every year?

Well, it was what he represented.

Now Or Never is a coming-of-age film.

In her final scene, Becky's character had to tell her father

that she no longer wanted them to perform together.

It was the climax of what had been a demanding three days.

I feel really...

emotional, I think

because it's the last day. I think it's really exciting this weekend.

But it's just all coming to an end now.

So it's really sad.

Stand by.

And...action!

Working with everyone has been really good.

Working with the director's been really good.

Given really good directions

and comes across as a really lovely person as well.

I've got to know him a lot.

It's really good.

For the director, Laurence, the whole process culminated

in the father and daughter's final performance on stage.

I think I'm most looking forward to the last scene.

Where she said she wants to go solo instead of doing it with her dad.

So I think that's the most exciting part for me.

# Maybe I didn't hold you

# All those lonely, lonely times

# And I guess I never told you

# I'm so happy that you're mine

So, how did the three trainees find working on the film?

The experience for It's My Shout has been incredible.

I mean, I came in, like, really nervous at the start.

And I've just come out a totally different person.

Taken back a lot of experience from It's My Shout

and meeting a lot of people, welcoming...

It's just been really good.

THEY CHATTER

I think it's built my confidence up a lot.

So I'm really thankful for getting a part.

I think It's My Shout will help me in lots of different ways,

because now I'm going into university,

I'll be going into different aspects of media.

And sound's one I've already dabbled in with Nigel in It's My Shout,

so at least I'll have, like, a foot in the door.

You get put in this natural work environment.

You get to see all different departments doing their thing.

And you never know, maybe one department might

stand out for you, which you want to pursue or...

You just get to see all different sides of it.

And I think it really helps you find what angle

and which way you want to go.

If I had to use one word to sum up this whole experience,

I don't know, I think there's a million words to describe it!

But it's been fantastic. It's been amazing.

Two months after filming, and all eight films were premiered

to a packed audience in the Wales Millennium Centre.

Guests of all ages arrived on the red carpet,

as a wide variety of entertainment welcomed them to the event.

Becky, Lucy and Luke were all nominated for awards

for their work on Now Or Never.

# And when she dances, oh, brother!

# She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather... #

Cast and crew, industry professionals

and VIPs attended the event to view the films

produced by It's My Shout and see the young Welsh talent in action.

After the audience took to their seats,

the director of BBC Cymru Wales, Rhodri Talfan Davies,

opened the night by emphasising the importance

of helping young talent in Wales.

APPLAUSE

It's My Shout matters.

I sometimes hear people say rather glibly that real talent will

always win out. The cream always rises to the top.

Well, I tell you, it doesn't always happen like that. Far from it.

And if we're serious in Wales about unearthing future talent,

we have to provide opportunities for those young stars

of the future to find their feet.

We have to provide opportunities for them to succeed, sometimes to fail.

And to learn from both of those experiences.

And those of us who've been lucky enough to live in this world

have to reach out and share what we know.

And that's why, for me, It's My Shout matters.

The awards were presented to the best trainees

from the different departments.

Including one for the best sound trainee.

And the award goes to Luke Walters!

APPLAUSE

MUSIC PLAYS

Luke was almost speechless upon accepting his award.

All right? Thank you! Good night!

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

Yeah, it caught me a bit off guard, to be honest.

I just sat there, I didn't expect it.

I just sat there and they read my name out and I was like,

"Ah. Oh, that's me!"

So I went up on stage and I just couldn't believe it.

I didn't expect it. Amazing. Shaking a bit, like.

It's great, so happy to win one.

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones,

then presented the night's special award.

Mr Carwyn Jones...

APPLAUSE

So it's my great pleasure this evening to present

the It's My Shout Made In Wales Inspiration Award to Rob Brydon!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

It's also particularly lovely to receive this

and to be here at It's My Shout, because you may not know,

but Roger Burnell is really the first part

of my story as to how I end up here.

Because he was my drama teacher at Porthcawl Comprehensive

when I went there in...

I was at school in Swansea and then we moved to Porthcawl,

going up in the world!

And I went to the comp and I didn't know anybody.

And I remember the headmaster saying, "Well, we have..."

Mr Ebsworth, his name was. He's still with us, I believe.

Not here tonight, but...

LAUGHTER

And he said, "Well, we have a drama department here

"that put on very good productions." This is how he talked.

And they were doing West Side Story.

And I got a part in that as one of the Jets.

And that was where I met Roger and he was the man who encouraged me

and gave me...

I think what he does is he gives people fantastic self-belief.

And as an actor that's something you need

at the beginning of your career when you're starting out.

And, believe me, you need it all the way.

APPLAUSE

The First Minister then closed the ceremony with a speech that

focused on developing the next generation of talent.

So all I'm going to say to you this evening is this. Follow your dreams.

Use your talent. Don't let anybody say to you you can't do it.

And never, ever give up. Rob's an example of that. Never, ever give up.

Because if you've got the talent, you've got the dedication,

you've got the hard work inside you, you will succeed.

And when you succeed, think of all you've done this evening

and think that tonight was the start of a great career for yourselves.

Think of what this opportunity this evening gave you.

And I'm sure that within this hall this evening

we will have talent that will grace the TV screens, the radio,

the stages of Wales and the wider world for many, many years to come.

The best of luck to you all.

Keep on going, and make sure that what you've picked up this evening,

you use that in many, many years to come.

Follow your dreams.

APPLAUSE

This year, the films have been fantastic

and have been very well received.

And I think, in those terms, it's even more important

that the talent does get nurtured and developed.

And we hope to look for projects and identify ways in which

we could progress that talent. Yeah, hugely exciting.

And massively encouraging for us as well, that, you know,

this talent continues to come through.