A Coleg Llandrillo student has landed a 'dream job' on the set of a major HBO television series.
Sion Thomas, 25, from Newborough, is just one year into his Level 3 Media Production (TV and Film) course at the college’s Rhos-on-Sea campus and has already spent five weeks working behind the scenes on a large-scale HBO/Warner Bros drama currently being filmed in North Wales.
Mr Thomas said: "I’m learning how to set up the lights, how to work on the cameras, and working with the assistant directors to make sure everything’s on set that needs to be for that shoot.
"It’s long hours and hard work but you’re always with amazing people – people who want to work, people who want to teach you.
"You’ve got to show what you can do, work hard and make as many connections as possible."
Due to a non-disclosure agreement, he is unable to reveal the title of the production, but he describes it as a 'pretty big' project.
This is already Mr Thomas’ second professional experience in TV since starting the course last September.
Earlier this year, he worked as a production runner on Ar Led, an S4C show produced by Osprey Television, which he secured through college connections.
He found out about the HBO opportunity through Skills Cymru and credits Coleg Llandrillo for helping him launch his career.
Mr Thomas said: "I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t come to college.
"It’s a good course to go on because you can get a lot of opportunities, and great fun as well.
"It’s informative and I’ve had great tutors.
"They’ve helped me out quite a bit – they’ve been great giving me flexibility with deadlines and things like that, because of the opportunity they’d given me to work on an actual production."
Before returning to education, Mr Thomas spent a decade working in a builders’ merchant.
He said college gave him the direction and skills he needed to break into the industry.
Mr Thomas said: "It was one of my tutors who told me about the opportunity at Osprey TV, and I also contacted Skills Cymru through college.
"For me, the highlight was probably making the projects.
"I’m more of a hands-on type of person so I enjoyed the practical side the most, but it was also very interesting doing the research side as well, learning about how pre-production influences the production and post-production, and how everything comes together."
He is now applying for an apprenticeship with Warner Bros and has set his sights on a long-term career behind the camera.
Mr Thomas said: "My plan is to work my way up through the ranks of a camera department.
"Director of photography is the dream but you have to work hard to get there, so we’ll see what the future holds."
Hannah Owens, creative media lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo, said: "He came back into learning with drive and commitment and we believe he's a great example of success in further education and making the right steps into a career in media."
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers media courses from Level 2 up to degree level, delivered by industry-experienced staff.
Share