Filmmaking graduate returns to University in Carmarthen to talk to current students

A 2021 BA Filmmaking graduate and successful entrepreneur recently returned to University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus to talk to current Film and Digital Media students and contribute to their film project.

James Owen, who was invited back by his former lecturer Dr Brett Aggersberg, inspired first-year students of BA Digital Media Production and BA Adventure Filmmaking as he recounted the journey of building his video production company, Stori Cymru.

James, a proud Welsh-speaker from Llanelli, spoke about the struggles and triumphs of starting his business in 2019 as a student at the time. He shared how he’s grown the company to the success it is today, building the experience, equipment and team, even hiring and offering work experience to fellow UWTSD students and graduates.

After his guest lecture, it was his turn to step in front of the camera to be interviewed by the students who are producing a film featuring UWTSD alumni stories that will be assessed as part of their first-year studies.

Contributing to this film was important to James as he knows very well the value of real, practical projects to the course and overall student experience.

James said:

“Thanks to the opportunities given to me on my BA Filmmaking degree, I was able to have important hands-on experience within the industry that was key in helping me realise where my strengths and interests lied, and this ultimately led me to where I am today.

I was so pleased to be invited back to speak with the students, to contribute to their film, and help give them the experience that I so valued.

It was also a chance for me to thank my old lecturers who supported and encouraged me immensely throughout my degree.”

As well as involvement in this student project and alumni lecture, James also recently delivered a session to students and fellow alumni as a part of UWTSD’s Enterprise Club, organised by the enterprise team at INSPIRE.

Here he shared the motivational advice that to be a business owner you have to “believe in yourself, work hard to get to where you want to be, and remain resilient during challenging times.”

Providing guest talks and work experience to current students are just some of the ways that UWTSD alumni, like James, are giving back to the UWTSD and are supporting our future graduates in their journeys ahead.

Alumni interested in returning to their subject programmes or being a part of the Enterprise Club, should get in touch on alumni@uwtsd.ac.uk