Case Study – Catapult Films

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When did the business start trading:

Spring 2010

Who started the business:

Mark Currie

Tell us what you do and how you do it:

Catapult Films is an independent video production company based in West Yorkshire. I bring stories to life using the medium of film, to best promote a business, product or service. So I’m in the business of helping other business owners promote whatever they want promoting. This usually takes the form of a short video of some kind (circa 2-5 minutes), although every client is different. So every film I create is unique and every film is as long as it needs to be. I create all kinds of films: promotional films, corporate videos, event films, demonstration videos, training films, vox-pop, films for social media and websites, testimonials and documentaries.

Who buys your product / service:

90% of my business comes via recommendation and from my local area in Yorkshire, although I do have clients outside the area and I’ve done work abroad too. Some clients come back to me on an annual basis and some give me regular work throughout the year, but most commissions are one-off projects. My best clients are those who fully embrace the idea of film and who have a genuinely transformative story to tell.

What makes your business stand out from your competitors:

I create films with impact. So, having good ideas is what defines me.

What are the main strength/s of your business:

The important thing for me is to listen to each and every client first before doing anything. A creative process demands an open mind, so I have no pre-conceived notions to what I do. I also bring a lot of experience, positivity and energy to every project I work on and believe it’s important to retain a hands-on personal service from start to finish.

What are the values that drive your business:

Honesty. Integrity. Creativity. And a burning desire to keep doing what I’m doing.

What’s your favourite business book and why:

I get my inspiration from a variety of different sources, but I don’t have a favourite business book, as such. However, I have learned something from every person I have met and every person I have worked with. And that learning process and thirst for knowledge will never stop.

What is the most useful lesson you’ve learned through experience:

Never assume anything and never take anything for granted.

What is the main mistake to avoid in future:

Always agree contract and payment terms in writing upfront. I once took someone “on trust” and although I delivered the film as briefed and surpassed all his expectations, I was not paid for my work. I subsequently discovered my client had deliberately taken his business into administration (and had a long history in doing so).

Which business success are you most proud of:

That’s a tough one, although I’d probably say, The Navvies Who Built The Bramhope Tunnel – a 30-minutes documentary film I created in 2019, which seemed to capture the imagination of a lot of people (500+ audience over 4 screenings) as well as attracting a good amount of media interest too. I also designed the book on the same subject, for author Angela Leathley, plus all the posters and exhibition material that supported the Heritage Lottery-funded project.

What are your future ambitions:

To keep producing good film work for all my commercial clients. I also have a personal film project on the go and my dream is to see that short film on the big screen one day at my favourite film venue, The National Media Museum in Bradford.

If you are a successful or interesting Yorkshire based business or organisation and you’d be willing to share your experiences by completing a case study then please contact us.

Have you any questions?

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