Tom Swindell graduated in 2007 and has shot the opening titles for the BBC2 series of The Restaurant made by Uden Media. Patrick Uden (who runs the company) is one of the most important and influential people in British TV has this to say about Tom...
"I will treasure your work for us Tom. The entire 'look' of The Restaurant series is largely yours. You have a truly powerful eye for aesthetic detail and it has infused the world of Raymond Blanc with a magic and warmth that I had searched for from the outset. Judging by the amount of shooting work you are now getting your skills will soon be lost to us, but I really do hope I can continue to work with you on future projects". Patrick Uden
Tom was mominated for the 'Best Newcomer Award' at BAFTA Cymru 2007.
In 2008 Tom shot a 30 minute BBC Wales documentary, directed a 10 minute drama for HTV, shot the titles for The Restaurant, and started work for INDUS film in Cardiff. About the course Tom said...
"Patrick employed me after watching Earthen (Tom's graduation film) which could of only been made on a course like yours, you hand a big hand in Earthen and allowed me to make a film which came from the core of me. Thanks so much..."
Tom has just shot a feature film in Columbia My kidnapper, about Mark Henderson who was one of eight backpackers taken hostage whilst trekking in the Colombian jungle in 2003. He says:
"Making My Kidnapper was a real trip. Meeting Mark’s parents, returning to his home and then traveling to Colombia gave me a real feeling of how intense this story was for the people involved. Working with a director who was also a contributor was a most unique situation. It was a 24/7 experience – I would be staying with Mark in the hotel and then filming with him the next day. We became friends and his great sense of humour eased me into his and his fellow hostages’ world."
See more at http://www.mykidnapper.com