Video laid foundation for film company
Aug 21 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal
WHEN social worker Walter Young enlisted the help of Northumbria University students to make an information video for foster parents, it was the start of an exciting journey for five budding filmmakers.
Young, who ran his own successful fostering agency, was so impressed with the film that he joined forces with the undergraduates to create production firm Primate Productions.
Although the social entrepreneur had no previous filmmaking experience, his business sense combined with the talented students have helped the not-for-profit group establish itself as an award-winning film company.
And now the one-year-old Primate has made another major stride by moving into a new premises in North Shield’s Saville Exchange through Northumbria University’s Enterprise Campus.
Young said: “As a company set up by a group of people who love making films, our aim is to grow our business by providing high-quality film-making and excellent value for money, whilst having a positive effect on local communities through community-based projects.”
As well as community projects, the company has also targeted corporate clients and recently produced a Polish-language information film for a large demolition business. It has also completed promotional videos for the Press Association.
Director Ema Lea said: “Roger Candy and Graham Baty at Northumbria University’s Enterprise Campus have been an enormous help. They have provided us with ongoing support in a number of areas such as developing our business plan and marketing as well as providing us with our fantastic offices.”
Alongside Young and Lea, the Primate team is made up of directors Katie Connon and Jack Sands, experienced camera operator Simon Bell and sound engineer Chris Devlin.
The company was awarded the ‘Design and Creative Company’ award at the Business Plan Competition run by Northumbria University’s Enterprise Campus last year.
Lea, Sands and Connon played a major role in the production of the award-winning film Gannin’ Yem will be screened at the Northern lights Film Festival later this year.
