Wrexham Filmmaker To Host Free Seminar

A local filmmaker is to host a seminar on the creation of films on a ‘shoestring’ budget.

Wrexham filmmaker Thomas Llywarch is to share his experiences of filming on a low budget at the Beer Mat to Big Screen event on Friday 27 February.

At the event, Thomas, from Garden Village, will be talking about the process of producing and directing his black comedy film, Split Second over a matter of weeks, supported by a group of local volunteers. The film, which is set around the world of bake off competitions, will be premiered at the event, happening at the Nick Whitehead Theatre at Glyndwr University from 6pm to 7pm.

Thomas, who lectures in broadcasting and media communications at Glyndwr University, will also be using the event to raise money for Comic Relief, with the current Great Comic Relief Bake Off on TV at the moment tying in nicely with the bake off theme of the film.

Also in keeping with the bake off theme, guests at the event will be treated to cake in return for a donation to the charity.

At the event Thomas Llywarch and the team behind Split Second will also hold a Q & A session where they will be happy to share tips and tricks for anyone thinking of making their own short film.

Thomas Llywarch said: “The project has been a really positive experience, it has been a pleasure to work with so many creative local people. We now want to share our experiences with anyone who is interested in producing a film on a low budget.”

Split Second was produced as part of The Tales We Tell project, a Wrexham arts festival based on storytelling. Split Second is a modern adaptation of the tragic Welsh tale of Gelert the dog.

The production team behind Split Second include assistant director Andy Martell, acting coach, former drama lecturer and Grove Park Theatre member Keith Evans, director of photography and Wrexham TV owner Leighton Cox, camera production assistant and media production student Ben Davies, soundtrack production Mark Follows and marketing and PR by fellow Glyndwr journalism and media communications lecturer Angela Ferguson.

The film was shot at various locations across Wrexham and focuses on baking enthusiast Mary and her two daughters Diana and Nancy and their battle with arch rival Delia to be crowned bake off champion of Garden Village.

The film was co-written by Thomas Llywarch, along with North West-based writer Paul Clark and Shrewsbury College media production lecturer Paula Whitlow. It also features the talents of local amateur actors, including several Glyndwr students.

Anyone interested in going to the premiere should log on to https://www.facebook.com/splitsecondfilm