A European First For 
Screen Academy Wales And Nickelodeon

Students and recent graduates from Skillset Screen Academy Wales will have an exciting opportunity to hear from executives of Nickelodeon US in an exclusive event next week.
Nickelodeon executives, Rich Magallanes - Vice President of Current Series Animation & Creative Fellowships, and Karen Kirkland - Executive Director of the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship, will conduct the intensive one-day workshop at the University of Glamorgan Atrium in Cardiff.The event will take place from the 25th to the 27th May 2010, and will include 75 attendees.
The multi-billion dollar network has delivered 19 years of hit shows, from the now classic Rugrats and The Ren and Stimpy Show, to current worldwide phenomenon's, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and the upcoming Kung Fu Panda.
In a European and UK first, the Nickelodeon executives will travel to South Wales to deliver an interactive workshop outlining the basic steps of how to get a show made and how to tell a story.
Rich Magallanes explained: "Our outreach efforts are constantly taking us to new and exciting territories, seeking out diverse and talented folks. We're extremely excited for the opportunity to see what Skillset Screen Academy Wales has to offer.This is a prime example of our dedication to educate, inspire and motivate people from around the globe to become part of our programme at Nickelodeon."
In addition, Rich Magallanes and Karen Kirkland will run a script review session with selected students. During the 2-on-1 sessions, the writers will receive detailed feedback on their scripts, and will learn about script analysis, how Nickelodeon works and how to refine their scripts to present to the renowned Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship - designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon productions.
Kirkland added: "The Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on interaction with executives writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television."
As the Welsh Screen and Media Academy prepares to extend its reach to a wider group of students, extending its remit from film to those studying television and interactive media, the Nickelodeon workshop also marks the first opportunity for students on courses from across the UK's accredited Skillset Media Academy network.
Screen Academy Wales hopes that this visit will be the first of many opportunities for the students, graduates and local industry, and are hoping that this initial visit will forge new links with those interested in TV drama and an international broadcaster.
(BMcN)