Dependable Productions

Richard Critchlow, Dependable Productions, Borrowby

Background

Dependable Productions in Borrowby, near Thirsk, is a specialist TV and digital media Production Company run by co-founders Lucy and Richard Critchlow. It provides TV and digital media to the corporate, public and broadcast sectors. Both Lucy and Richard have TV production backgrounds, having worked at the BBC on projects such as Concorde’s last flight and the New Years Eve firework display on the London Eye.

About the funding

The funding they received enabled them to achieve their dream of transforming their production facility into a high specification studio that could easily be mistaken for a studio in London's Soho. They benefited from over £30,000 of financial support from Yorkshire Forward through the Rural Enterprise Investment Programme. The grant was used to purchase DVD duplicating equipment amd also to renovate a disused barn into a state-of-the-art digital media production studio incorporating office space, a high definition editing suite and a small 'green screen' studio facility.

“Our new production facility has increased our ability to provide a high quality service to clients both within the region and across the UK,” explains Richard. “The quality of our new facility in North Yorkshire now matches the quality of the product we offer. What's more, we can now invite clients to participate in the post-production process which we couldn’t really do when we were based at home.

"Our new commercial DVD duplicator allows us complete control of both the cost and quality of the entire process whereas previously duplication had been out-sourced. Bringing this process in-house has also increased our profitability."

Results

Business has increased dramatically since receiving the grant: the Crtichlows have produced a promotional DVD for Musical Associates, a project for Leeds-based Arla Foods and Absolute Radio’s Christmas Zoo sessions featuring Paul Weller and Travis. There are also a number of productions currently in the pipeline, including work for Durham County Council and a project that brings together all Yorkshire and Humber Local Authorities.

In their own words

“Thanks to Yorkshire Forward’s assistance and support we are now in a position to attract new clients and we are intent on proving that Yorkshire companies don’t need to go to London to get a high quality product. We are delighted to have recently taken on a freelance producer to help with our current workload and, once turnover increases further, we look forward to employing additional staff,” continued Richard.

The Rural Enterprise Investment Programme (REIP), which is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), aims to grow the region’s rural businesses, is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and is managed by Yorkshire Forward in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Download a PDF of this case study.