Foot in the Door: Creative Connections

• Hear from local creatives and how they developed their creative careers.  
• Find out more about what creative opportunities are available locally. 
• Build your creative industry network locally. 

Where?

Urban HQ, Swansea, The Old Police Station, Llys Glas, 37 Orchard St, Swansea SA1 5AJ 

When?

Thursday 14th March, 5.30pm- 8.00pm 

Info

This is an event for people 18 years plus who live and work in Swansea and are interested in finding out more about behind the scene roles in the creative industries, to make new connections with Swansea Creatives working in the industry in Swansea and beyond.  

You must be 18 plus and live or work in Swansea to be eligible for this event. 

• Learn how creative industry professionals got into their roles, and how they have navigated their careers - from getting started to working freelance.  
• Find out what transferable skills they have used to progress in their roles and how this has helped their career progression.  
• Network with a range of Wales based creatives.  

This will also be an opportunity to find out more about Foot in the Door: Swansea, and the range of courses and training available in 2024. 

5.30pm - Doors open

6.00pm - Introductions and Welcome, Ffilm Cymru Wales 

6.15pm - In Conversation with Swansea Creatives  

7.00pm - Opportunity to network 

Speakers

Arnold Matsena 

Arnold Matsena is an award-winning Director, Performer, Producer and Art Curator. His work across multiple disciplines has garnered millions in viewership, acquiring some of the most prestigious accolades internationally and in the UK. Arnold’s heart is also set in working to inspire change at grass roots level, advising and contributing with Government organisations to educate on socio-economic issues such as Climate Change, Inclusivity and Diversity. He contributed to the well-received ‘Alternative Centre of Technology Climate Justice Action Plan’. As well as that, he’s been working as a creative practitioner with Arts Council Wales for many years to fight racism and social injustice through creativity. He’s also an art curator, focusing on lifting up creative voices in and around Wales. For all his work he has received the community hero award for work in communities. He’s currently working as a Creative Director with Swansea Council for the Olympics, putting on a weekend of events and activities all through Swansea to celebrate creativity and the introduction of 4 new urban sports to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Further credits as a director/producer include; “Brothers in Dance” A BBC Documentary starring him and his two brothers which won a BAFTA Cymru in 2023. Short film ‘Are You Numb Yet’ which won the 'International Infallible Award' for 'Best Show' of the digital ED Fringe Festival. Other director credits include ‘BOY-ISH’ a dance theatre work set to tour Wales in Autumn 2024. As a performer he’ll next be seen in ‘Grief’ a short film with Music Theatre Wales in which he leads the cast in a powerful story told through text, music and movement. 

Joëlle Rumbelow

Joëlle Rumbelow is the creative owner of Salt White Studio, a practise that brings scripts to life for Film and High-End Television. With a client list that includes Netflix, NBC Universal, Amblin Productions, Disney, Twentieth Century Studios, Sky and BBC Studios. As an Emmy nominated Set Decorator, she creates emotive spaces and artefacts that heighten the drama. 

Zoë Rushton  

Zoë looks after the Cardiff base at Roath Lock Studios. She manages a multi-genre slate including The Documentary Unit, Factual Entertainment and Music & Events. She has also staffed up large scale, high profile projects such as the Queen’s Funeral and The King’s Coronation.    

She has worked in broadcasting since 2000. She started at BBC Wales via a two week work experience placement and never left!  Her career began in the Education department at BBC Wales in Cardiff, mainly working on Children’s TV. She worked her way up, doing a variety of jobs including Broadcast Assistant, Runner, Researcher, Assistant Producer and Producer.  Her big break came when she got a job in Entertainment on BBC Three’s Doctor Who Confidential where she remained as Senior Producer until its final series in 2012.  (“Best job ever”, she claims!) 

Working across three genres means Zoë has an in-depth knowledge of the TV landscape in Wales and the South West. Her slate has included a variety of formats, documentaries and large scale events.  Crimewatch, BBC Young Musician, Bargain Hunt, Cardiff Singer of the World, to name but a few. Zoë is passionate about breaking down class boundaries in the TV industry and works with many external organisations to try and tackle these sensitive issues. She’s also set up a school partnership, educating and inspiring local under-represented young people in the community. For this outreach work she has been granted the School Valued Partner award. She’s been implemental in promoting and championing the Apprenticeship schemes in Wales for nearly ten years and mentors many of the successful alumni.   

Richard Mylan 

Richard Mylan is a Swansea born Theatre, Film and Television actor, whose work ranges from drama to comedy in television shows such as Waterloo Road and Coupling (BBC), The Way, to leading roles in Theatre productions in the West End and Olivier winning plays. 

2021 Richard Co-Founded Grand Ambition (Company in Residence) at Swansea Grand Theatre. In 2023, Grand Ambition produced their first original production ‘Sorter' written & performed by Richard Mylan and performed alongside award winning actress Sophie Melville. In 2023 ‘Sorter' as well as being nominated for a Debut Stage Award was announced as one of The Stage's top 50 best shows in UK & Ireland 2023.

Roger Thomas

It is hard to believe that it is over 25 years since I packed up my car to embark on a journey to North Wales to start a ‘Cyfle’ training scheme which was my foot in the door. I then spent the next 13 years freelancing, working my way up through being a runner, 3rd AD, 2nd AD on various TV dramas, films and whatever else was available before arriving at scheduling. I have worked at BBC Casualty since 2010 breaking down scripts and keeping our 2 units filming! I have also had the opportunity to Production manage and Produce whilst at the BBC.   

*The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion across the UK, of funding for local investment by March 2025. This event is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.