upfront
Feature Celyn Jones: the “chancer from
Holyhead” heading Wales’ film boom Directing duties for Rebel Wilson’s first serious role have fallen to Celyn Jones. What better opportunity to bring the Hollywood star to Wales, he tells John Evans.
Celyn Jones was (and still is) ruled by his imagination and has always had a deep love and connection to storytelling. Not only possessing a wealth of experience as an actor, his credits also include directing, writing and producing. Conveniently playing a south Walian explorer in Shackleton, his first breakout role, Jones only went up from there. From theatre to BBC dramas to co-owning a film production company in North Wales, he has an impressive and strong resumé.
“People used to come here [Wales] for dragons and castles but now it has become this broadening powerhouse that is the Welsh film industry. It’s been amazing to witness and be a small part of the growth,” he says.
Film & TV resources
Creative Wales Production Funding Apply for public money to
support Wales-based productions, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
creative.wales/funding-and- support
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Jones co-owns the independent film production company Mad As Birds Films that has produced the likes of BAFTA-nominated The Vanishing starring Gerard Butler. “My first film Set Fire To The Stars was a real turning point for me personally and professionally. It gave me this identity and ambition for making something how you want to make it the way you want to make it,” says Celyn. “I just love the fact we’ve brought Elijah Wood to Swansea, Judy Dench to Llanelli, Eddie Izzard to Llandudno and Rebel Wilson to Wrexham!”
With Wales one of the busiest hub for film and television production right now, companies like Jones’ and the influx of other productions provide new opportunities. “Young people
Ffilm Cymru Wales Access film exhibitor
Filmd
funding, first-step training and opportunities, and development and production resources.
filmcymruwales.com
Wales Screen Summit The country’s first industry
summit took place last month – stay tuned for next year’s.
walesscreensummit.com
can be looking at it as a viable industry with hundreds of great jobs within it,” Celyn says; “there is now a myriad of creative, exciting, radical and diverse jobs that one can find their way into.”
Celyn co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in his latest film The Almond And The Seahorse; it’s also the first dramatic role for his co-star Rebel Wilson. “The acting is so good, it’s such a performance piece,” he enthuses. “It’s so moving and it has a real message about dealing with trauma beyond trauma – but it’s really accessible. It’s a story that needs to be seen, and it’s got four leading ladies in it. How fantastic is that?”
Brand-new indie platform for connecting production staff, backed by Craig Roberts.
filmd.co.uk
Film Hub Wales Become a member (for free!)
Sgil Cymru
Media professional training and apprenticeship supplier for organisations like BBC Wales, ITV Wales, Real SFX and S4C.
siglcymru.com
to access exhibition, Made In Wales and seasonal funding, plus training bursaries.
filmhubwales.org
Creative Cardiff Online hub for finding creative
creativecardiff.org.uk
jobs, opportunities and briefs in the Welsh capital.
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