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GETTING TO GRIPS
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH THE BUSINESS
V FG PLC is the largest UK-owned broadcast and film equipment rental company. Since it became a public company almost two years ago, the VFG has raised substantial amounts of capital to enable it to purchase the latest camera equipment, to develop its UK business by both organic growth and acqui- sition and, most recently, to further its vision of
international expansion for the future.
In the past three years VFG has invested in
excess of £11 million in “state of the art” 16mm and 35mm film cameras, digital video cameras and grip equipment. As a result, the company can now claim the youngest camera fleet in Europe - and possibly the world.
It’s anticipated that the company’s interna- tional expansion will initially materialise in both Europe and the Southern Hemisphere with the ultimate intention of creating a global business
“It’s important to constantly reappraise your customers’ needs,” explains Nick Houston, VFG’s marketing manager who recently moved out from behind the camera to help build the company profile during its time of expansion. And although market- ing tricks like printing the company’s name on the back of camera crew’s jackets might attract interest, it’s mostly VFG’s range of equipment, backup service and established connections and networking within the industry which attract the business.
“We have a huge contact book,” says Houston, “and we are consistently able to attract new clients who recognise the quality of service we are offering.” It’s a service built upon the vast industry experience of VFG’s senior management, as evi- denced by latest “signing”, award-winning camera engineer Karl Kelly, who recently joined the com- pany as its Technical Director.
“Our traditional business has centred on tele- vision,” Houston continues, “with a wide range of dramas, commercials and documentary work. We also supply a large proportion of the pop promo- tional videos made in the UK. But although televi- sion continues to be our bread-and-butter, we are now working hard to develop our features busi- ness. Our features team, headed by Mick Mason, himself a well-respected cameraman with contacts throughout the industry, has been formed specifi- cally to provide a turnkey service to producers of large projects from start to finish.”
Among its recent and current feature pro- jects are Animal Farm, which combines a live- action Pete Postlethwaite and Henson Creature Shop animatronics, the musical Oklahoma! and a new version of David Copperfield, with double Oscar-winner Sally Field and Seinfeld’s Michael Richards. For TV, VFG has supplied equipment to Hornblower, The Vice, Harbour Lights, Plastic Man,EveryWomanKnowsaSecretandthethird series of Cadfael.
In addition to its new European headquarters at Wembley, VFG also offers regional bases through- out the UK. This allows all types of production to be fully serviced locally, significantly reducing trans- portation time delays and production costs.
The company’s commitment to regional sup- port has been evidenced by its recent expansion into Ireland, with new bases opened in Dublin and Belfast last year. Dublin, in particular, has been a busy features market. With the introduction of Section 35, the law to encourage international film- makers to shoot films on Irish turf, many Americans now use Ireland as a cost effective loca- tion. A similar situation applies in the Isle Of Man where, since 1996, VFG has had a subsidiary base supporting the local Film Commission.
“VFG in Ireland is a subsidiary of the PLC employing local people but with all of the benefits
Photos: main: DP Elmer Ragalyi; above: Focus-puller Ivan Meagher with Max Dolbey who plays the young David Copperfield in David Copperfield; facing page top left: VFG’s marketing manager Nick Houston
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