IT’S CAMERA, ACTION FOR LAUREN
AN Award-winning film graduate has kick-started her own business after landing £3,000 from a scheme which supports Staffordshire-based startups.
Lauren Burnham, from Leek, graduated from Staffordshire University with a BA (Hons) Advertising, Film and Video Production degree last summer, and recently won two Royal Television Society (RTS) awards with her graduate film, Night Hopper.
Now Lauren and her business partner Emily Kirkham have set up their Staffordshire-based production company Prickly Peach Films, which specialises in promotional content – with everything from adverts to music videos.
The 22-year-old said: “Prickly Peach is based in North Staffordshire, however we cover pretty much anywhere we can drive to.
“Before lockdown we’d been working on projects based in Greater Manchester, Bakewell, Congleton and Stoke-on-trent.
“Since we started the company, we have loved every minute of it.”
The pair launched their new venture with support and funding from Staffordshire University’s Be Inspired programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The year-long scheme is open to graduates of Staffordshire University and from other universities who live in Staffordshire.
Successful graduate start-ups include Stone-based technology company Assured Systems and video production company Reels in Motion, which is based in Stoke.
Lauren said: “We received a £3,000 grant from the Be Inspired programme, which gave us an amazing boost while establishing the business and upping the production value of our content.
“We’re still going strong during the lockdown with editing and graphics work, so even though we can’t physically go and film, we’re able to do post-production.”
She added: “I think it’s super important once you leave university as a filmmaker of any kind to never stop creating.
“It’s easy to let the months after graduation roll by while you’re trying to figure your life and financial plan out.
“But when you can, try your best to make the time to go back to your roots of film production. Keep trying to push your ability in any way you can.”
Applications for the next Be Inspired intake are currently open and must be submitted by Sunday, June 7.
More information and details on how to apply can be found on the Be Inspired website.