South West Attachment Scheme Trainees 2006-07

Introducing the eleven talented newcomers who were successful in securing a coveted place on SWATS 06/07

Aside from completing a minimum of two work placements with production companies across the region, each trainee receives professional short-course training to make sure their skills are exactly what industry needs. Training providers include BBC Training, PACT and Ravensbourne. Trainees also have mentoring sessions with South West based freelancers to help further their understanding of what it takes to succeed.

Amy Thornton
Bristol-based Amy joined SWATS with an MA in Film & TV Production from Bristol University and work experience in short filmmaking, corporate production and reality TV. Aiming for a factual Researcher/Assistant Producer role in the future, Amy's first SWATS placement is with BBC Bristol's Inside Out team where she's been a valuable and reliable hands-on Production Assistant and Junior Researcher.

"The SWAT scheme has been a fantastic experience so far and has given me confidence to go on and succeed in the industry."

Dan Andrews
An aspiring Production Coordinator, Dan was placed with INC Ltd. as a general assistant, before moving on to work as Production Assistant with Parthenon Entertainment. In this time he's been busy with everything from running on location shoots to getting to grips with Final Cut Pro. Before getting his place on SWATS, Dan gained a degree in Photo Media from Bournemouth University. He lives in Weston-super-Mare.

"I feel lucky and extremely privileged to be on the SWAT scheme, it gives me the chance to prove and enhance my abilities to various media companies. I'm hoping to gain valuable experience from working in different media environments and provide myself with all the knowledge, contacts and skills needed to become a successful freelancer. I feel the South West is a vibrant up and coming media community and a very good place to start a media career."

Dave Packham
Dave's long term goal is to become a Production Manager. He joined SWATS with a degree in TV & Radio Production from Salford University during which time he initiated many of his own projects. Dave is from Taunton and his first SWATS placement is with GRACE Productions where he's had broad experience on the company's forthcoming production 'Léif Lëtzebuerger' - including an extra's role in the film!

"Getting a place on the South West Attachment Scheme (SWATS) gave me the break I needed, having graduated in 2005 in TV Production. I can't sing SWATS praises enough - the opportunity to work within two regional production companies and a training bursary, means that I will be able to hone my skills and build a career in an industry I am passionate about."

Elaine Findon
Working as an after-school drama teacher for 4-11 year olds was Elaine's first stop after completing her degree in Theatre & Media Drama. She is happiest working in corporate, commercial or drama environment. Elaine moved from Cirencester to Bristol to take up her first SWATS placement with Aspect Film and Video where she's proved to be an equally valuable asset on location and in the production office.

"I was over the moon to even be shortlisted for the talent day let alone selected to make the final 11! I was overcome by my insecurities of confidence and felt that I wasn't good enough to make the grade as a production assistant. However, I am finding that these feelings are gradually subsiding as I am forced out of my comfort zone and encouraged to learn and experience new horizons. I feel very privileged to have been given this opportunity and appreciate South West Screens devotion to nurturing and investing in our talent especially by the number of courses we are to be sent on in the coming year and the fact that help is never far away. I really hope that this traineeship will lead to exciting things so that I no longer have to agonize over where my life is going! I have encountered lots of pre-production work in the space of 3 months, although I feel that I would like to work within location work, perhaps in drama or feature film as I have had the must fun in these areas, but who knows we will have to see where fate leads me."

Gemma Boswell
With a degree in English and no previous production experience, Gemma won her place on SWATS through showing her keen interest, enthusiasm and self-researched knowledge. One of Gemma's ultimate aims is to develop her skills as a Producer and Writer and she hopes SWATS will give her a firm foundation in learning the production process. Gemma is from Torquay and her first placement is with Twofour Productions.

"I felt incredibly lucky to get onto the SWATS scheme. I couldn't believe that such a comprehensive training scheme was being offered to new entrants in the South West. The South West has a thriving media industry and it's great that South West Screen are fully supporting and encouraging this. I hope to gain a wide experience of working within broadcast and to finish the placement with a sound understanding of the skills it takes to succeed in the industry."

Laura George
Laura's first placement was with Flashback Bristol, before joining Testimony Films for her second. The aim of both placements was to help Laura develop her highly capable skills as a Production Coordinator and put her on the path to becoming a Production Manager. She attended University of Gloucestershire, near her home in Cheltenham, where she gained a degree in Video Production Professional Media.

"The opportunity to be a SWAT was huge and the competition fierce and full of talented individuals so I felt really pleased to get a place. What SWS offers along with the placement is incredible and second to none. The support network outside of the workplace is really beneficial as well and I've never felt left to my own devices in terms of career progression.

One major factor that drew me to the scheme was being able to stay in the South West as I liked the idea of not being in such a hectic environment as London and it also meant I didn't need to relocate too far unless I wanted to move the short distance to Bristol.

The placement so far has been interesting and nothing like I expected in a good way, I am gaining valuable on the job experience that I otherwise would have found extremely hard to get as I would probably have ended up having to do lots of "work experience" jobs. I am also really looking forward to further new experiences and challenges that I'm going to be facing in further placements."

Louise Johnson
Aside from coming to the scheme with a variety of production work experience, Louise brought excellent people skills which proved to be a key strength when working on set assisting the Unit Manager in her first placement with Silicon 19 Media. An aspiring Producer, Louise has also provided valuable assistance in the production office. She moved from Minehead to join SWATS and has a degree in Media & Communications from the Birmingham Institute of Art & Design.

"Being a SWAT has provided me with an opportunity which is so difficult to gain as a graduate, it has allowed me to work as a valued member of a production company, working along side professionals who have many years of experience and knowledge. Outside of work SW Screen provide a great support network, giving guidance on career possibilities, as well as providing us with training and mentors which has already proven to be beneficial.

Coming from Minehead I didn't really have any choice but to relocate and I was willing to do so, SW screen provided support during this time. I live in Bristol now and I love it. It is such an amazing place to be, as the media network is continually thriving and growing. It's only been 3 months and I have already learnt so much..."

Matt Wicks
Bristol-based Matt has been working with the development team at Flashback Bristol to hone his skills in researching and pitching. He is an aspiring self-shooting PD within factual programme making, who is equally at home shooting on location or in the production office. Matt graduated from Bournemouth Media School with a degree in TV Production and initiated freelance corporate production work for himself before joining the scheme.

"I knew when I finished Uni that I wanted to live and work in Bristol and the SWATS scheme is really the only project of its kind that allows me as a new entrant to get that first step in the door. The Bristol media scene is a really tight knit industry and being on SWATS has given me that opportunity to be able to show off my own skills and hopefully make an impression which will lead to a job in 12 months time. Being able to have formal training tailored to my own needs means that when I come out of SWATS my employability will be massively increased."

Oly Coysh
Skillfully combining camera, lighting and PA skills, Oly is hoping that SWATS will give him the opportunity to broaden his general production experience, before pursuing a Camera/Director career path. He is from Torquay and has a degree in Media Arts from University of Plymouth. Oly joined SWATS with work experience on Antique's Roadshow, Homes Under the Hammer and My Hero. His first placement on the scheme is with Denham Productions.

"The scheme truly bridges the gap between university and industry."

Philiy Page
With a degree in Photography and time as a successful Photojournalist under her belt, Philiy is now transferring her skills into factual TV programme making. This background has given her an excellent eye for a story and confident research abilities. Philiy's first placement is as Researcher with Touch Productions where she has become a valued member of the development team. Philiy is based in Dorset and is also a qualified teacher.

"I felt really privileged to be part of the scheme. As I am over 30 I had found it hard to get a company to take me on even for work experience. I had changed careers to teaching after being a photojournalist in London. I hated teaching and realised that I missed journalism. This scheme has allowed me to start on the rung of the ladder again and has given me back my ambition. I moved from London over 2 years ago and it has been hard to find 'any' job in the South West, which is why this scheme is so amazing! It shows you that there is a vibrant media community here and it is possible to make a career in it outside of London. I am so grateful to South West Screen and all of the support that they have given me. I am excited about the future and feel able to continue to keep my career in the South West in media."

Simon Hawtin
Simon joined SWATS with an MA in TV Production from Falmouth University, plus a variety of work experience in factual TV production and film festival management. He mixes good research ability with camera and edit skills, all of which he hopes to combine in the future as a self-shooting PD. Simon's first SWATS placement is working as a Researcher with Touch Productions. He lives in Bristol.

"After 3 months, SWATS is proving to be everything I hoped it might be. The work placement is a huge opportunity to work with great industry professionals who expect me to work hard, but don't assume I know everything already. I've learnt a huge amount from being fully involved in a working company and it does feel like a 'real' job, not a 'work placement'. The training aspect of the scheme is amazing - risk assessments and Z1s last month, research training and Final Cut Pro coming up next - my practical skills are improving all the time and my CV is going to look fantastic. The support from SWS is personal, helpful and exceptional. I can't quite believe my luck. And that's the truth."

Case Study