TWO YOUNG entrepreneurs have boosted their unique aerial filming company with state-of-the-art technology thanks to a generous £4,000 grant from the Oldham Enterprise Fund.
Callam Barnes, 24, and Christi Elkin, 25, were awarded the money after impressing the panel with a Dragon’s Den style pitch about their business ‘Aerial Focus’.
The money enabled them to a buy a brand new camera for their quad-copter drone so they can take high quality videos and photos from just about anywhere.
Callam, from Lydgate, explained: “We’ve been friends since we were about four years old and even as kids we used to dream of setting up our own business together.
“I have just done two years of travelling and Christi has been at university studying film and media. When I got back we started brainstorm things we could do together.
“We decided on the drone as there is not really much else around here like it. But we were getting passed around pillar to post looking for grants or backing.
“Eventually we got the grant from Norman Stoller’s Oldham Enterprise Fund. We want to thank them for their major generosity. They are doing a wonderful thing helping young people and new businesses like us.
“We have both invested a lot of money already to buy the drone but the grant meant we could get the camera upgrade to do really high spec, great quality videos.”
Callam, who is a welder by trade, passed a pilot’s licence to fly the drone while Christi, who lives in Delph, controls the camera.
They have four key areas of bespoke coverage for both individuals and businesses: film and media, wedding and events, business and promotions, commercial and private real estate.
Since launching in March, they are already working with local estate agents, schools and other businesses as well as Manchester United Television (MUTV).
Christi explained: “We can get some really diverse shots so it’s a great for all kinds of videos. We’ve even had builders asking to use it to help with roof checks!
“Flying the drone is a two-man job and took a bit of practice to start with. But we used to play rugby together so we’ve already got a bit of team work there to build on.”
And the ambitious pair already have their sights set on expansion in the near future.
“We’re getting a van soon with our name on the side,” revealed Chirsti. “Then we hope to buy another drone and take on some staff to help out.
“One day, we even hope to produce short films with some of my scripts so there are plenty of possibilities to look forward to.”
For more information about Aerial Focus visit their website: www.aerialfocus.media
The Oldham Enterprise Fund offers grants and loans to help young people launch and grown their businesses. For more information go online: www.oldham.gov.uk
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