Young love and AI: USW students create short film with It’s My Shout

3 February, 2025

A still from AI Love You, of two people walking

Aspiring filmmakers from the University of South Wales have gained hands-on experience of creating a short film, thanks to a collaborative project between It’s My Shout Productions and USW’s Careers and Employability team.

It’s My Shout is an independent film production company and training scheme, based in Wales, providing training for people of all ages who are interested in gaining experience in Film. Each year they produce short films for BBC Wales and S4C, offering a range of opportunities in the creative industry to nurture, develop and discover new talent.

40 students from USW worked with It’s My Shout to create the film, called A.I. Love You, which was screened at a celebration event at the University’s Cardiff Campus, alongside other short films made by young filmmakers from across Wales.

A.I Love You tells the story of Sam and Carys, who find each other on a dating app, but – unbeknownst to each other – both decide to rely on AI technology to overcome first-date nerves and tackle the awkwardness that comes with it.

Sam's friend Gethin is sceptical at the inauthenticity, whereas Carys' friend Ava is supportive and encourages the idea. With each using a smart earpiece that allows the AI programme to listen in on their conversations and generate immediate responses, their entire date is orchestrated by these bots.

The film is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

William Collins, a second year Performance and Media student at USW, played the role of Gethin in A.I Love You after a successful audition with It’s My Shout.

He said: “I was incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity. Working on this film has been an absolute highlight of my university experience so far; I never expected to be working on a professional production as an actor in my first year of studies!

“I learnt so much about what life was like working in this sector, and it really amplified everything I was being taught in my lectures. I had so much fun networking and getting to know people in the industry, and it has really boosted my confidence of working in film and TV.

“Since then, I’ve been working as an ambassador for It’s My Shout on their community workshops, and have started to build a strong connection with them. I’ve also been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at this year’s It’s My Shout Awards, which has been the icing on the cake!”

Netania Wogan, who is also studying Performance and Media, was a supporting artist on the film. She said: “I loved being part of the It’s My Shout project as it allowed me to see the inner workings of an on-location film set, and it has given me a valuable insight into what my future career might look like. This opportunity has been a great way for me to get an idea of how the industry works.”

Abigail Stephenson is a second-year TV and Film Set Design student, and worked as an art assistant on the film. She said: “My role involved creating graphics for the film during pre-production, dressing locations and monitoring the continuity of props during filming.

“I really enjoyed working on the production – it was a great step up from the student films I'd previously done, as I was able to see more industry roles in action. It also gave me a better understanding of the process of shooting a film; how different departments work together to make everything run smoothly.”

Rhiannon Breeze, Employer Engagement Partner at USW, said: “Our partnership with It’s My Shout Productions provides students with invaluable opportunities to immerse themselves in a professional environment, gaining practical experience, building connections with industry experts, and refining both their personal and professional skills.

“By fostering these relationships and offering additional support through USW Careers & Employability service, we ensure students are not only well prepared but also confident in pursuing and progressing in their chosen career paths. These collaborations showcase our commitment to preparing students for the demands of the evolving professional landscape.”

Anna Shephard, Production Assistant at It’s My Shout, added: “It is hugely beneficial for students to see a film develop across the shooting days, regardless of what department they are in. A film set is an incredibly collaborative environment, so for students to be able to learn from professionals and work as a team for a specific end goal, they are set up for working effectively with others in the future. This is a unique opportunity to see the endeavour and craft that goes into the making of a film, and the wide variety of jobs available in the field.

“It's My Shout is proud to work with USW because we are able to offer young people access to its fantastic industry-standard facilities, which really help them make the most of the experiences we provide. We often find that USW students continue to work with us beyond their initial filming projects, building on the skills and confidence they have gained, so it’s great to see how they benefit from this partnership.”