Latest news with #MediaCymru
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Wales Online
Gifted young man dies of drug overdose
Gifted young man dies of drug overdose 'One of our brightest young stars has been extinguished too soon and our night sky glows more dimly for his loss' Pontypridd Coroners' Court (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) A "fiercely intelligent" young man overdosed on prescription medication after what he described as a crystal meth "bender". Olaoluwa Alatise, 27, was found dead at his Cardiff home more than two and a half hours after he had called 999 reporting a suicide attempt, his inquest heard. Pontypridd Coroners' Court heard Mr Alatise — who was known to his friends as Laolu — worked as a researcher for Media Cymru, a consortium aimed at growing the Welsh media sector. Colleagues described him as "a true one-off" and "an exceptional and beautiful human being". Mr Alatise grew up in Nigeria before studying journalism, media and English literature at Cardiff University where he graduated in 2018 at the top of his class with a first-class bachelor's degree. Coroner Andrew Morse said Mr Alatise had in the past experienced issues with suicidal thoughts, self-harm and struggles with his sexuality. At times he felt disclosing his homosexuality to his family "would have shamed him" and he feared it could lead to a prison sentence if he returned to Nigeria, the coroner added. On September 6, 2023, the day before his death, Mr Alatise was detained by police under the Mental Health Act after he had entered a Betfred bookmaker's on Cowbridge Road East, Canton, in a state of panic and asked staff to call police. He was assessed at the Hafan Y Coed mental health unit and told a doctor he had been on "a bit of a bender" involving a Class A drug, crystal methamphetamine, over the three previous days. Article continues below Mr Alatise said he had been "obsessive" in that period, failing to sleep and going down "rabbit holes" by viewing "extreme" pornographic material which made him feel "paranoid". The doctor decided Mr Alatise could be discharged as he had not expressed any suicidal thoughts and his condition appeared to be "resolving". The coroner found the decision to discharge was appropriate as he had been "properly assessed". Mr Alatise returned home after the doctor gave him "appropriate" advice on how to get further assistance if needed, the court heard. At 9am the next day Mr Alatise called police reporting that the previous evening he had attempted suicide by taking an overdose of tablets and drinking bleach. The call was categorised as an 'amber 1' emergency, meaning life-threatening but not immediately so. Mr Morse found this was an "appropriate" categorisation given Mr Alatise was conscious and able to speak on the call. It took two hours and 42 minutes for a Welsh Ambulance Service crew to arrive, which Mr Morse said had to be "put in the context" of immediately life-threatening calls being received at the same time. The coroner added that there had been potential for an alternative ambulance to attend, which could have arrived up to 21 minutes sooner, though he said it was not clear whether this would have "made a difference" in the outcome. After entry was forced to Mr Alatise's home in Canton, his body was found surrounded by empty packets of his prescribed antidepressant pills. A post-mortem found his death was caused by these pills and not by the bleach he drank. Mr Morse took into account the absence of a suicide note as well as Mr Alatise's decision to contact emergency services that morning. He considered the possibility the overdose was a "cry for help" and said there was not enough evidence to rule the death a suicide. The coroner instead recorded a conclusion that Mr Alatise's death was "drug-related from an intentional overdose of prescribed medication". Dr Andy Williams and Professor Justin Lewis, from Cardiff University's journalism school, wrote in a tribute: "He participated in public life in Cardiff, Wales, and the UK as an activist, commentator, and writer, but his relationship with his adopted home was never uncritical or simplistic. He had a keen eye for identifying hypocrisy and an often scathing, sometimes hilarious, turn of phrase when critiquing it." They added: "One of our brightest young stars has been extinguished too soon and our night sky glows more dimly for his loss. All of the communities he was a part of feel his absence painfully. His contribution to making our world a more equal and accepting place will never be reversed." Article continues below A tribute from Media Cymru read: "Laolu's natural warmth and capacity to build strong working relationships flourished through his [role] as an assistant research and development producer. His passion for championing access to the industry was most evident in his work developing the Innovation for Creatives programme. "He believed strongly that Media Cymru should offer a space for individuals who were new to the sector to learn and share big ideas and very much valued being able to mix with the group and hear their stories." For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.
Business News Wales
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Media Cymru Launches Wales' First Virtual Production Fellowships Programme
Media Cymru, a consortium of broadcast, production and academic institutions and businesses in Wales, has commissioned specialist training provider Final Pixel Academy to deliver a nine-month Virtual Production (VP) Fellowship ™ programme in 2025/2026. The programme is the first of its kind in Wales and will be hosted at a new state-of-the-art training facility for Virtual Production at fivefold studios. Funded by Media Cymru, the programme is being delivered by specialist training providers Final Pixel Academy and supported by virtual production studio fivefold Studios and post-production company Gorilla. Virtual production combines real-time game engine technology with LED screen backdrops and motion capture and is increasingly transforming how content is made. The use of virtual production in high-profile titles such as The Mandalorian, The Witcher, and The Lion King has signaled a shift in global production models, and Wales is now positioning itself to train the workforce needed to further enable that transition. The custom-built programme aligns with a shift in industry practice around the globe. It combines innovative technologies and virtual production techniques for professional crew and emerging industry talent across the fields of TV and film, broadcast, games, VFX, live events and post-production. The first Wales based Final Pixel Virtual Production Fellowship ™ will see 16 participants engage in nine months of specialist training including both the foundational and intermediate virtual production skills required, such as production, creating virtual art as well as running and filming in a volume. The new VP training facility at fivefold and the Final Pixel Virtual Production Fellowship ™ programme are part of the acceleration of investment and confidence in the creative industries in Wales. Media Cymru Director Justin Lewis said: 'We're very pleased to have worked with consortium partners to host Wales' first Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™. Not only will the final candidates access a high-quality blend of on-set training, masterclasses with leading industry talent and project-based live briefs, but the Fellowship represents the 'bleeding edge technology' that is fueling a new future for the creative industries in the UK.' Final Pixel Academy is the training arm of Final Pixel, a Creative Innovation Agency and Filmworks. Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor is Head of Final Pixel Academy. She said: 'The launch of the very first Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™ in Wales marks a transformative moment for the creative industries in the region. At Final Pixel Academy, we are proud to lead this pioneering programme in partnership with fivefold Studios, Gorilla (Academy) and the University of South Wales, made possible through the support of Media Cymru. By equipping mid-to-senior level professionals with cutting-edge, real-time technologies and virtual production skills, we are not only nurturing local talent but also attracting inward investment and positioning Wales as a premier destination for innovative film, television, and immersive media productions. Our Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™ is more than just training; it is a catalyst for industry growth, creative excellence, and a thriving future for virtual production in Wales.' David Levy, Managing Director of fivefold Studios, said: 'At fivefold Studios, we've established a dedicated virtual production facility at the heart of a thriving film studio in South Wales. Featuring Europe's largest green screen cove, advanced motion and performance capture systems, and a state-of-the-art LED volume, the space is purpose-built for innovation and production at scale. Hosting the Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™ here allows us to welcome emerging talent into an environment designed for hands-on learning, creative exploration, and real-world production collaboration.' Sally Lisk-Lewis, Skills and Partnerships Training Manager for University of South Wales, added: 'The Final Pixel Virtual Production Fellowship ™ is all about future-proofing the workforce in Wales and bridging the gap between traditional filmmaking and the emerging world of virtual production. It equips Welsh filmmakers with the skills and knowledge they need to stand out and excel in the sector, attracting high-end productions in the process.'
Business News Wales
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Climate Storytellers Win Funding to Explore New Ways to Inspire Audiences
Five Research and Development (R&D) projects are sharing £100,000 of investment from the Media Cymru x Ffilm Cymru Wales Climate Stories Fund. Launched in December 2024, the Climate Stories Fund was devised and delivered by Media Cymru and Ffilm Cymru Wales to support R&D projects for feature films or immersive experiences sharing impactful climate stories that stimulate action in fresh and compelling ways. The competition was highly competitive. Media Cymru and Ffilm Cymru Wales selected five outstanding projects to progress through a four-month R&D sprint taking place from April to August 2025. The process began with an Insight Day hosted by Wales Millennium Centre, at which the teams learned from guest speakers Prof. Paul Behrens from the University of Oxford, filmmaker Elham Ehsas, Dr Catherine Graves, the BFI's Keir Oldfield-Lewis and BAFTA albert's Lisa Howe. The five projects supported through the Climate Stories Fund are: All Rivers Spill – Spill All Rivers – Joanna Wright, Tiny City A new project by filmmaker Jeanie Finlay returning to the Teesside coast where she grew up. Using immersive technology, All Rivers Spill – Spill All Rivers is a wraparound Extended Reality (XR) documentary project. Due to sensitivity around the subject matter, further details available on request. Founded by Joanna Wright, Tiny City is a North Wales-based, artist-led company developing projects that centre interdisciplinary, inclusive design. Working with a diverse network of creative collaborators in Wales and internationally, they produce projects that crossover between documentary, installation, and digital platforms, which have been exhibited at The Institute of Contemporary Art, Channel 4, BFI, BBC, The Space, Sky, True/False, MIT, IDFA, and UNESCO. Ceri (Working Title) – Richard Billingham This R&D project will explore young people's lived experiences, in particular their thoughts, feelings, perceptions and anxieties about climate change and the future. The storytelling will transition through everyday digital screens, including video games, smartphones, surveillance cameras, drones, and doorbell cameras. Swansea-based artist and filmmaker Richard Billingham has worked in photography, film and experimental video and was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Debut Film (2019) for his feature Ray and Liz, supported by Ffilm Cymru Wales. As Professor at the University of Gloucestershire, Richard sees many students express a collective anxiety about climate change and their futures. Earth Speaks – Ashley Leung and Remi Bumstead, Tiny House Creatives There are people who live in deep communion with the earth, who have witnessed, documented and adapted to centuries of earth changes and who continue to do so today. Earth Speaks will explore the importance of these observations in shaping current polices, the roles the indigenous play in safeguarding our ecosystems, and the songs and stories that reflect humanity's shared connection to nature across all cultures. Ashley's journey into film began with a foundation in music, leading to a BSc in Music Technology and studio experience working on ADR, foley, scores, and SFX for film. Guided by his own nature, Ashley loves creating heart felt human and nature centric films that contribute to a more positive, caring, connected, and celebrated world view. Self-shooting Producer-Director Remi has worked across the board from Adidas and Arsenal to The UN in Somalia, filming in extreme environments from the Arctic to the Amazon. Nora's Ark – Lowri Roberts and Maisie Williams, Rapt Pictures The Earth has been squeezed dry of its resources, the end is nigh. But there's a plan to save humanity, a ship to save a select few people. Told through multiple perspectives, this feature film will be crafted based on what underserved audiences want. Based in North Wales and Somerset, Rapt is a film production company led by BAFTA Cymru-winning filmmaker and producer Lowri Roberts and Emmy-nominated actor and producer Maisie Williams. Passionate about the environment, the company has a number of projects on their slate that address climate change, and Maisie is the Global Ambassador for both WWF and Dolphin Project. Who Gives a F**k About Polar Bears? – Gavin Porter How do we tell climate stories from a working-class perspective? Those who are economically challenged will be among the first and most affected by the climate crisis, yet their voices are rarely heard in the debate. Who Gives a F**K About Polar Bears is a transmedia project anchored by a feature documentary that examines the profound intersections between class and climate. Gavin Porter is a storyteller who writes, directs and produces film, theatre and radio. Inspired by his experiences of growing up in Cardiff's Butetown, one of the oldest multicultural communities in the UK, Gavin has created theatre productions that have sold out across Wales and won a BAFTA Cymru award for fiction film. Lee Walters, Chief Executive of Ffilm Cymru Wales, said: 'We're excited to be supporting such creative, innovative and potentially impactful projects through the Climate Stories Fund. These ideas not only reflect the urgency of the climate crisis but also the power of storytelling to inspire change and spark meaningful conversations.' Professor Justin Lewis, Director of Media Cymru, said: 'After a competitive process, we're pleased to see a real breadth of innovative ideas from the final cohort, who will be exploring and developing their ideas throughout the upcoming R&D period. Together with Ffilm Cymru Wales, we wanted to see a range of fresh approaches for inspiring audiences while telling the wider story of the climate crisis. The final projects are great examples of the kinds of storytelling talent we have here in Wales, and I look forward to seeing these ideas grow and evolve.'
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Cymru Wales and Media Cymru invest £100,000 into R&D projects for innovative climate content
BBC Cymru Wales and Media Cymru have awarded five production companies up to £20,000 each to research and develop ideas which tell innovative stories of the climate crisis. The new fund is designed to support TV production companies to research and develop new, innovative ways to inform audiences about the causes, impact and ways of combatting climate change. While the climate crisis is the most existential problem facing humanity in the 21st century, public understanding of the issue is patchy and sometimes confused. The fund brings together a cohort of Welsh indies to research and develop ambitious ideas for climate content to engage and inform audiences. The news follows an Insight Day on 29 January 2025 at BBC Central Square in Cardiff, where successful companies presented their winning research and development (R&D) proposals. The chosen projects cover genres including comedy, entertainment and factual, each with a focus on innovative approaches to climate content. Event attendees also engaged with the BBC's Climate Creatives Strategy, discussed scientific perspectives on climate change and explored insights into how diverse audiences engage with climate content. R&D projects will take place between 3 February and 30 April 2025, with the potential of the BBC commissioning an idea in summer 2025. Nick Andrews, BBC Wales' Head of Commissioning, said: 'This fund will fire the imagination of some of our very best storytellers as they take on the challenge and tell one of the most significant stories of our time. With the funding and the headspace to focus on this territory I'm hopeful that we'll be in a position to commission content that our audience will devour. BBC Cymru Wales backs compelling storytelling and what story could be more timely than this one.' Professor Justin Lewis, Director of Media Cymru, said: 'It's vital that we commit to producing content which speaks to the wider challenges surrounding the climate crisis. Together with BBC Cymru Wales, we've seen some exciting ideas for thought-provoking content to engage and inspire mainstream audiences. I look forward to seeing these proposals develop into tangible and compelling programme ideas.' Awarded companies include: Carlam Ltd - The Climate Inspector: How Green is your basket? Exploring eco-friendly diets with Welsh audiences by investigating people's shopping baskets with intrigue and humour to ask if their choices are as green as they think. Joio Cyf – Boiling Frogs Looking ahead to the climate crisis in Wales 2030. Dwindling resources, crumbling infrastructure, constant flooding, intensifying storms, and a growing migrant population makes life on the estate anything but easy. One family's fight for survival as water rises during a storm. Kailash Films Ltd - Rhod Gilbert Saves the World Offering climate change solutions with comedian Rhod Gilbert to see what's realistic for the average Welsh person and what isn't. Rhod Gilbert is going to save the world. Or at least he's going to give it a damn good try! Little Wander - The One Planet Show A new comedy talk show hosted by comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean featuring Welsh community projects, innovative sustainable practices and light-hearted interviews that bridge entertainment and environmentalism. Teledu Telesgop Cyf – The Invisible Lines A landmark series demonstrating local and global effects of climate change on current familiar 'lines' - coastline, riverbeds, average temperatures, ocean currents, migration routes, Nation boundaries etc. As well as innovative graphic representations of new, future, "invisible lines", we'll leave lasting physical reminders in some key locations. EWL
