Students To Benefit From Growth Of Industry Panel At Skillset Media Academy Wales

Media students and graduates stand to benefit from increased expertise as nine new media professionals join the Industry panel at Skillset Media Academy Wales.
The multiple appointments are confirmed just one month after the Academy announced that BBC Wales Head of Production and Business Development, David Mackie would take up the voluntary position as the Chair of its Industry Panel.
As a member of the UK-wide Skillset Media Academy network, the Welsh Academy is one of the few members to boast a dedicated panel of industry practitioners. Chaired by Mackie, the Industry Panel works closely with the Academy and the tutors and students of its partner institutions: the University of Wales, Newport; Aberystwyth University, University of Glamorgan and Swansea Metropolitan University.
Following a merger between the former Screen and Media Academies in Wales, the new Academy has broadened its remit to reflect the changing media landscape and now includes a broader range of vocational courses, including Documentary Film and TV, Film and TV Production, Creative Sound and Music, Advertising Design, Photography for Fashion and Advertising and Radio.
The newly appointed Industry Panel members will reflect the new range of courses accredited by the Academy.
Welcomed to the panel are:

• Iain Smith, Applecross Productions, Producer (Cold Mountain, Children of Men, The Fifth Element)
• Sally Oldham, Global Radio; Managing Director of Red Dragon Radio
• John Rea, Machine Rooms, BAFTA-award winning Composer
• Huw Owen, CC4Web, Interactive Media Producer
• Sian Elin Palfrey, Director of Photography; (The Sarah Jane Adventures)
• Emily Stillman, Production Guild, Film & TV Finance
• Tim Morley, ContentWest, Sales and Distribution
• Jo Taylor, Channel 4, Talent Development

The most recent member to join is the new Chair of the Animation/Games and Visual Effects sub-panel, Aron Evans, Managing Director of Dinamo, the Welsh production company that creates the CGI and VFX for Grandpa in my Pocket.
Academy Project Manager Hannah Raybould added: "We are delighted to welcome the new panel members. They will join our existing members in helping to advise and guide students through hands-on networking sessions, masterclasses and panel sessions, as well as providing guidance on curriculum development. These professionals give up their time to support our students and graduates, and to help promote the Academy to the wider media industry in Wales and beyond.
"Their input enables us to ensure that our education and training maintains a clear industry perspective and meets the demands of today's highly competitive media industry."
Famed UK Producer Iain Smith has expressed his enthusiasm for the worked of the Welsh Academy, commented: "The Media Academy Wales has the energy and vision to put Welsh creativity firmly on the international media map!"
(KMcA)