Cardiff-based animation studio mentors young Welsh filmmakers

Cardiff-based animation firm Bait Studio is to nurture young Welsh filmmaking talent through a new VFX course that’s being held in Swansea this month.

The ‘NextGen Young Filmmakers Wales’ course, which is being pioneered by NextGen Skills Academy and funded by the BFI Film Academy, is aimed at equipping Welsh filmmakers with the knowledge and skills to work in the film industry.

Four employees from Bait will work with mentors from other firms to provide the course’s 20 participants – who are aged 16-19 – with tips on VFX. Advice will focus on production techniques and equipment, storyboarding, motion design, filming  and editing, and completing films.

Bait’s VFX Supervisor Christian Lett, VFX Lead Artist Llyr Williams, Creative Producer Peter Rogers and Creative Director Paul Nicholas will be representing the firm on the course.

Next Gen Skills Academy has launched the scheme with the aim of supporting the creative sector in Wales, and it’ll be the first time the the BFI Academy has supported a VFX course for Welsh youngsters.

It’ll span three weekends at University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Swansea campus, and on completion, participants will be awarded with a ‘Preparing to Work in Film’ Level 2 qualification. This will act as a starting point for those interested in a VFX career.

Jon Rennie, MD of Bait Studio, said: “The creative industries is one of Wales’ fastest growing business sectors and the key to continuing that growth is inspiring and equipping talented young creatives here with the skills and knowledge required to forge successful careers in the field. Bait is proud to be able to play a part in doing just that”.

Image credit: Ozzy Delaney