A Kent-based video production company has been awarded a capital grant to support an investment of £15,000, enabling the agency to deliver cinematic quality films using the latest technology.
Digitom, based in Tunbridge Wells received the 50% match funded capital grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) via KEEP+, which is helping small and medium sized enterprises to innovate and develop new products and services.
The grant has enabled Digitom to invest in the latest high tech equipment to deliver 4K RAW filming and editing. Having taken delivery of the new equipment over the summer, the company has recently delivered its first 4K production, a new visitor centre film for Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame in Faversham.
“With Sony releasing bigger and better cameras each year, I’ve made a concious decision to invest in our own equipment and lenses to deliver the best cinematic quality films,” said Digitom’s Founder and Creative Director Tom Chown. “This means we’re capturing even higher resolution images at source, giving greater flexibility in post-production and also future-proofing productions.”
Digitom has also invested in a top of the range Apple iMac Pro with accompanying LaCie video servers and hardware such as the latest Blackmagic Design 12GSDI router and 4K monitors. The company has also moved its entire production workflow to the DaVinci Resolve Studio editing and grading software as used for finishing Hollywood feature films, TV programmes and commericals.
Tom continued: “During times of political uncertainty the first budget to be reviewed is often marketing. It’s important for us to continue to invest and innovate to attract new clients and this grant has enabled us to do just that.”
As recently reported in national economic studies, there’s been a noticable decrease in economic activity since the EU referendum and the Brexit vote outcome. Working with both Kent County Council and Kent Invicta Chamber, Digitom has participated in ICE 2 Seas, an Interegg funded project with the EU to help connect Kent businesses with European colleagues, enabling them to share best practice and new technologies.
“I established the business in 2010, during the height of the banking crisis and recession. Being able to work flexibly with resources, and call on a pool of talented broadcast professionals, has enabled us to be agile and responsive to clients’ briefs,” added Tom. “We have to invest in our future productions to offer our clients the latest advances in digital broadcasting.”
Digitom was awarded Microbusiness of the Year for South East England in the 2017 FSB Small Buisness Awards. Over the last 12 months the agency has delivered an internal TV pilot for Sainsbury’s, a TV commercial for estate agent Ward & Partners, a series of branded content films for the private social network Nextdoor, children’s food recycling animations for Maidstone Borough Council and a recruitment campaign for the Ministry of Defence.