Creative Media students' documentary work for "It's My Shout" 2010

Steve Sellers, Domnic Williams, Nathan Williams and ex-student Louise Thomas shot

extensive footage for this year's "It's My Shout" documentary programme broadcast on

BBC Wales.  As well as the pre-production work for the documentary shoots, they

also worked behind the scenes and at the Award Ceremony at Porthcawl's Grand Theatre, where they were assisted by students Ed Price, Christian 'Eddie' James and Chloe Morris.

It’s My Shout produces a minimum of six short films a year which in the past have been broadcast on ITV Wales, S4C and BBC Cymru | Wales. For 2010 the films will be broadcast and supported by BBC Cymru | Wales.

This slate of films (as opposed to our ‘Digital Shorts Wales’ film scheme, run with the UKFC and Film Agency for Wales) is aimed specifically at producing films to be broadcast on television.

This element of the scheme is aimed at engaging with talent that will have a relevance to the exciting new developments that are taking place at BBC Cymru Wales over the next few years.

It’s My Shout nurtures new and established talent across all departments ; pre- production, production, and post-production, both in front of and behind the camera. It acts as a gateway to the industry and provides the opportunity for participants to learn new skills and demonstrate their talent and aptitude to potential employers such as BBC Cymru | Wales.



Cai Thompson enjoying himself



Martyn Kinnear with his Best Composer Award

The might documentary crew
Steve Sellers, Louise Thomas, Nathan Williams and Ed Price

Upstairs Downstairs with Cai Thompson

Congratulations to Cai Thompson, year 2 student on the Creative Media Production

Course, for his recent work on BBC Wales's Upstairs Downstairs.
Cai worked as a trainee camera assistant on the series, working throughout the summer

at the new Dragon studios in Brigend with a world class camera department.

Piers Wenger, Head of Drama BBC Cymru Wales, says: "I am immensely proud of how the team has responded to the challenge of reviving Upstairs Downstairs. Heidi's sparkling scripts and the magnificent cast have brought a fresh new dynamic to the world of Eaton Place. The result is an explosive, hilarious and compelling saga. No-one should miss a moment of it."

The original series of Upstairs Downstairs was a worldwide sensation, and the show is still known and loved in 70 different countries. Its countless awards include seven Emmys, two Baftas and a Golden Globe.

In 2010, a stellar line-up of acting talent joins original series creators Dame Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh, in the highly anticipated revival of this legendary series. The three hour-long episodes have been written by award-winning Heidi Thomas (Cranford, I Capture The Castle, Ballet Shoes).

Keeley Hawes (Ashes To Ashes, Spooks) Ed Stoppard (Brideshead Revisited), Anne Reid (Bleak House, Dinnerladies), Claire Foy (Little Dorrit), Adrian Scarborough (Gavin & Stacey, Cranford), Art Malik (Jewel In The Crown, Holby City), Ellie Kendrick (Diary Of Anne Frank), Nico Mirallegro (Hollyoaks, Moving On) and Neil Jackson (Flash Forward) all star.

Made by BBC Cymru Wales Drama, Upstairs Downstairs was filmed primarily in south Wales. The exterior location for 165 Eaton Place was filmed in Leamington Spa.

Executive Producers are Piers Wenger (Head of Drama, BBC Cymru Wales) Heidi Thomas, Kate Harwood (Controller of BBC Drama Series and Serials) and Rebecca Eaton of US broadcaster WGBH. 

The BBC has showcased its revival of Upstairs Downstairs and despite the 'down' tone of the press it was a ratings hit. It pulled in over 7 million viewers and won its slot on each night it was on - surely that makes it a success? Now we must wait to see if the BBC feel the same way about it and commission a full series.

A chritsmas trailer is available here.