Gateshead start-up fund helps young TV entrepreneur

A 23 year-old Oxfordshire entrepreneur has launched one of the UK’s first TV businesses aimed specifically at smartphone and tablet screens.

Charlie Price has secured funding of nearly £10k from Transmit Start-Ups, the Gateshead-based organisation, which will be used to produce “teaser content” and a trial app to help the business attract investment.

‘Mini Screen Pictures’ will offer a range of shows under three strands; drama, children’s and lifestyle which will be sold through a dedicated app where people can buy content per series or as a whole package.

Charlie said: “It’s more than evident that there has been a constant level of growth in video-on-demand services and the way they’re used for some time, but I see a definite gap in the market for creating great content which is tailored for when people are on-the-go.

“Although of course it’s possible to watch a great many programmes via mobile devices, the majority are most likely to be both technically and narratively undermined by that platform and this is where our unique proposition looks set for great success.

“I am really grateful to Transmit for this loan as having now been able to produce promotional content, Mini Screen Pictures is a far more attractive proposition to investors.”

Charlie has won a National Student Television Award and previously worked in the BBC Worldwide offices. Before setting up the business he worked for Kudos Film and TV (who produce Spooks and Hustle) as a freelance script reader, looking out for new writing talent.

Richard Myers, director, Transmit Start-Ups said: “Mini Screen Pictures is at a really exciting stage of its development. We are delighted to be able to support Charlie as he builds up his business.

“The potential for his app and the type of creative content he has planned is huge. With his existing track record the time seems perfect for him to grasp this chance of success.”

Helping with Mini Screen Pictures’ progress is Christian Harris who runs Gorillabox, a company specialising in distributing mobile media content and film critic and writer Owen Nicholls. If Charlie’s entrepreneurial flair isn’t enough, his father, David Price, a winner of the Prince of Wales Innovation Awards, is also on-hand.