On Our Second Birthday.
“Happy second birthday Lamplight, and thank you to all who have taken a punt on this group of 20-something filmmakers with big dreams and the work ethic to match.”
On the 5th April 2021, 20 & 19-year-old school friends Tim Marsh and Callum Swan sat across from Ben Scammell in his kitchen to produce a guerrilla marketing campaign for Ben’s tech start-up Just Bin It. Tim had been freelancing part time as a photographer & videographer for the previous five years, and created a feature film with college friend Jonny Green. Callum had created a number of drama shorts for YouTube company DDK Productions, and had recently embarked on the creation of a feature-length police sci-fi thriller, In Plain Sight. That day, both were excited to work on a progressive & dynamic film marketing campaign with new people. They produced the films and went back to their university degrees in Cardiff & London respectively, happy with the output, but not expecting to hear anything more from Ben. Both continued freelancing part time, and in the summer of 2021, the pair worked again with Jonny Green on In Plain Sight, quickly moving on to WWII feature film The Final 45.
26 months ago, Tim Marsh and Ben Scammell met to discuss the creation of a multimedia production company together. The plan was simple: Ben’s experience, connections and prowess in business would support the creatively experienced yet impulsive Tim. Hands were shook, a deal was agreed. Tim called upon long-time collaborators Callum & Jonny to workshop a name for this new business: Totemic Pictures, Iliad Imaging, Lighthouse Media … too pompous, too dramatic. But, all felt there was something in Lighthouse … How about lamps? Something that emits professionalism, refinement; an assisting light. Two months later, the name was chosen, accountants contracted, and letters of incorporation filed. Tim graduated with a first class in Journalism, Communications & Politics from Cardiff and started running the company full time. Callum, still completing a Masters in Astrophysics at KCL and creating short films with Radiobright Pictures, worked part time until he was able to join as Creative Director in the February of 2024. As we celebrate the close of our second year of trading; we are a team of 2 full time, 1 part time, 3 regular freelancers, with two board directors. We have worked in TV development, produced music videos, and covered events. Our work regularly takes us to motorsport race tracks, music festivals, and swanky central London offices. Our client list features Surrey County Council, Cosworth, Travelodge; even BBC One.
As we look forward to our third year of trading, our goals are simple: find a physical home for the business, and break the six-figure mark. Both are within reach. Happy second birthday Lamplight, and thank you to all who have taken a punt on this group of 20-something filmmakers with big dreams and the work ethic to match. We wouldn’t be here without you, and we are just getting started.
Tim Marsh, Managing Director.
