Hit HBO / BBC drama Industry brings skills boost to Welsh screen sector
Rhaglen Industry HBO / BBC yn rhoi hwb i sgiliau yn sector sgrin Cymru
The latest series of huge global hit TV show, Industry, currently being filmed in Cardiff, is bringing more employment, career progression and upskilling opportunities to Wales’ TV sector.
Season 4 of Industry, which airs on the BBC in the UK, is again being produced by Welsh-based production company Bad Wolf, this time with support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales as part of a four-year deal between the two parties.
As part of the terms of the deal, Bad Wolf, via Screen Alliance Wales, provides on-set training and work shadowing experiences for people entering the industry as well as up-skilling opportunities for people looking to progress their careers.
Industry follows the high-pressured lives of a group of young bankers at Pierpoint & Co, London. Starring Marisa Abela (who won the BAFTA TV Awards’ Best Actress Award for her series 3 performance earlier this week), Myha'la, and Kit Harington, Season 4 also features confirmed new cast members including Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton and Max Minghella, of The Social Network and The Handmaid’s Tale.
The series sees Cardiff once again stand in as London, showcasing both its versatility as a filming location as well as its ready supply of talented Wales-based production crew. The Welsh capital has also been transformed in recent years into an unnamed US city for Netflix feature film, Havoc, and Oxford for HBO / BBC / Bad Wolf’s His Dark Materials.
The four-year deal between Bad Wolf and Creative Wales is helping to drive further growth in Wales’ thriving TV industry and committing Bad Wolf to a minimum Welsh spend over the four-year period. It will also provide a minimum of 42 meaningful paid entry-level trainee and upskilling placements for Wales based crew on high-end productions.
Skills and Culture Minister, Jack Sargeant, visited the set this week and met cast, crew and four trainees working on the show. He said:
"As Learning in Work Week comes to a close, it's been a pleasure to hear what valuable training opportunities Charlie, Jacob, Rosie and Robyn have experienced working on Industry 4.
“We are immensely proud of our Welsh film and TV sector and opportunities like these further develop our homegrown talent and cements Wales' reputation as a first-class filming location with skilled crew able to service high-end productions.”
Jacob Cook is a Graphics Trainee on the set of Industry 4, he said:
"I studied graphic design in university, but I had no idea how to break into the Film and TV industry. In fact, I was working in a supermarket at the time. I went to a careers fair one day where I met someone from Screen Alliance Wales, and two weeks later this opportunity came up and I was lucky enough to get the job!
"The role covers absolutely anything and everything that’s related to graphics or design, like lots of set-dressing and doing things behind the scenes. It’s such a fast-paced environment that’s allowed me to really develop my skill set.
"The screen industry in Wales is putting Wales on the map. You don’t have to go to Hollywood to have a successful career when you can just come to Splott!"
Rosie Berry, is a Crowd Costume Trainee on the set of Industry 4, she said:
"Ten years ago, I did my degree in costume and construction and I have a masters in costume design. Now that my children are older, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Film and TV.
"Working on Industry is incredible. I’m based in the studio and assist the fitters who dress the supporting actors, and we can work with anywhere up to 40 fittings each day – sometimes they need one look, other days it could be three or four.
"It’s so important that these trainee placements are available – I was able to get my foot in the door via this scheme.
"Now I feel ready to step up and apply for a junior position, as I know that – to make it to the top – it’s important to start from the beginning and learn as much as possible."
Notes to editors
Image caption: L-R Charlie Grayson, Robyn Selby, Minister Jack Sargeant, Rosie Berry, Jacob Cook
Four-year deal delivers growth and stability for Bad Wolf in Wales | GOV.WALES
Full case studies:
Jacob Cook, Graphics Trainee on the set of Industry 4:
‘I studied graphic design in university, but I had no idea how to progress in that field or how to break into the Film and TV industry. In fact, I was working in a supermarket at the time. I went to a careers fair one day where I met someone from Screen Alliance Wales, and two weeks later this opportunity came up and I was lucky enough to get the job!
‘It’s been quite a journey of discovery for me while working on the set, and a real learning curve. The role covers absolutely anything and everything that’s related to graphics or design, like lots of set-dressing and doing things behind the scenes. It’s such a fast-paced environment that’s allowed me to really develop my skill set.
‘Screen Alliance Wales has created an easier pathway for young people to enter the industry through its trainee placements. These trainees are the future of Film and TV in Wales, so it’s great that there are opportunities available for them to flourish.
‘The screen industry in Wales is putting Wales on the map. You don’t have to go to Hollywood to have a successful career when you can just come to Splott!’
Rosie Berry, Crowd Costume Trainee on the set of Industry 4:
‘Ten years ago, I did my degree in costume and construction and I have a master’s in costume design, and over those ten years I’ve mostly been in the work room sewing. Now that my children are older, I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Film and TV.
‘In this role I’m based in the studio and assist the fitters who dress the supporting actors, and we can work with anywhere up to 40 fittings each day – sometimes they need one look, other days it could be three or four.
‘Working on Industry is incredible, working with the costume designer Laura Smith and seeing the way she works and interacts with her team.
‘When I first started, I really didn’t know what to expect but everyone has been so patient and really explained everything. We’re working together to get it all done, and on a big production too – there’s a great team energy!
‘Even though I have 10 years’ experience I didn’t have the confidence to apply initially, which is why it’s so important that these trainee placements are available – I was able to get my foot in the door via this scheme.
‘Now I feel ready to step up and apply for a junior position, as I know that – to make it to the top – it’s important to start from the beginning and learn as much as possible.’
About Creative Wales
Creative Wales is a Welsh Government economic development agency established to promote and grow the creative industries in Wales.
Our focus is to offer funding, support, and guidance across a range of sectors from TV and Film, Animation – including Immersive Tech, AR/VR – through to Games, Music, and Publishing - positioning Wales as one of the best places in the world for creative businesses to thrive.
We are passionate about creating opportunities for people in the industry. Whether that’s entry-level training or developing and upskilling people already working in our creative sectors. We are committed to investing in people from a diverse range of backgrounds, whether they’re young people, newcomers to the industry or our talented and experienced workforce.
From studio development to grassroots music venues, indie games developers and major international productions, we provide funding, specialist advice and help people within the industry to make connections that will nurture the development of creative projects of all sizes. We also actively promote sustainability, fair work, and equal opportunities for everyone working across our creative sectors.
Whether we are supporting home-grown talent or working to attract international creative projects to Wales, our aim is always to strengthen the industry for the long term and create exciting and rewarding opportunities for future generations.
For more information visit creative.wales and follow us on socials:
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