Graduate gets sound approval with BAFTA award

A University of Wolverhampton graduate has scooped a BAFTA as part of a TV production company team – sound approval for his work.

Dan Jones, aged 29 and from Cardiff, studied for a Music Technology degree in the University’s School of Performing Arts based at its Walsall Campus and graduated in 2013.

After graduating, Dan worked as a television researcher, using the skills he had learned whilst studying for his degree.  He went on to work as a location sound recordist on S4C and BBC Wales productions and produced radio programmes for the BBC.  He now works in post-production as sound mixer, having joined the Chwarel TV team behind The Great House Giveaway (Tŷ am Ddim).

Produced by Chwarel TV for S4C and Channel 4, The Great House Giveaway sees two people who have not previously met or owned a home being given a lump sum to buy a property at auction. They then have six months to turn it into a desirable home, keeping any profit after it is sold. As the show reached the end of its first series, it was shortlisted for the 2021 Virgin Media BAFTAs. The ceremony took place in June and The Great House Giveaway was awarded the BAFTA for best Daytime (television programme).

Dan said: “The Music Technology course that the University runs gives you everything you need to work in a range of sectors across the creative industries field, but I understand how fortunate I am to be able to leave University and to find a job in the industry that I wanted to work in.

“After graduating I had lots of other jobs for about two years just to get an income, but I continued to go on work experience and sent my CVs to loads of different TV companies, until Chwarel TV based in North Wales gave me a chance, and I took it.

“It’s amazing to be part of an award-winning team and I hope that this inspires students and applicants to go on to greater things once they have achieved their qualification. I still can’t believe that we’ve won a BAFTA. There’s been a lot of hard work along the way, and I’ve been lucky to work with such a great team.”

Mat Dalgleish, Subject Leader for MSc Audio and Creative Technology at the University, said: “As a student on our BA (Hons) Music Technology course, Dan thrived in his final year on modules such as Music for Image, Digital Music Sales, Employability and Enterprise, and the Professional Project.

Matt Bellingham, Subject Leader for BSc Audio Technology and Production, said: “We were delighted to hear of Dan's BAFTA success. Our courses are designed to help students develop industry-relevant and future-facing skills, and Dan’s work in the world of pro audio shows how he exemplifies these qualities. Our BSc (Hons) Audio Technology and Production course has industry links into music production, broadcast audio, game sound, and theatre and live sound, and current students can benefit from the real-world advice and guidance from graduates such as Dan.”

Watch the award-winning moment on YouTube.

Anyone looking to study at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.

Picture caption: Dan is second from the right with the rest of the winning team.

ENDS