Film production outfit grow following sales lift

North East-based film production outfit YourFilm has recruited three new members to its team, following recent sales growth.

The Gateshead Northern Design Centre company has welcomed Ben Cameron, Lauren Shepherd and Gavin Randall to its team as it looks to build on a raft of new commissions for TV advertising campaigns, promotional films and training videos.

Gavin, aged 31, arrives with a wealth of filming and post production experience, and will work closely with YourFilm’s co-owner and creative director Kevin Owens.

Lauren and Ben, both aged 25, were on the same Northumbria University course in motion graphics and animation before being taken on by YourFilm.

Their skills have already been put to use on a new animated TV ad campaign for Frank’s the Flooring Store, the famed North East flooring company.

YourFilm managing director, Matthew Newman, said: “We’ve set ourselves some ambitious goals as a company over the last 12 months, and recruiting Gavin, Lauren and Ben adds not only strength in depth, but a new set of skills which are becoming increasingly popular with clients looking for film and video production.

“Gavin has assisted us with a number of projects in a freelance capacity historically, so we’re thrilled to now have him on board on a permanent basis.

“Adding the advanced 2D and 3D animation skills of Ben and Lauren is a real boost to our in-house capabilities also. We’re already hugely impressed with their creativity and application.”

Ben actually seized on a work experience opportunity with YourFilm. He explained: “As with a number of graduates, finding roles in your desired fields isn’t a simple task, so when I was offered the chance of work experience with YourFilm I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

“Thankfully I was able to use my time to help with a pitch for a project, which we won, which in turn helped them to offer me a full time position.”

Lauren, originally from York, adds: “I echo Ben’s comments. It’s notoriously difficult to get a foot in the door in the industry, so you need to make the best of any opportunity presented.

“The thrill and buzz of seeing your own work on a TV screen or up in a conference in front of many hundreds of people makes me want to keep achieving great things for YourFilm.”

Matthew Newman and YourFilm creative director Kevin Owens founded YourFilm in 2005. Since then, the multi-award winning production company has produced films for a range of clients, including Dulux, Northumbria University, Ignite100 and the NHS.