CVP has revealed how it is supporting Bristol Film School Boomsatsuma with “technical expertise and flexible finance”.
Boomsatsuma is an independent education provider based in Bristol and the South West, providing college diplomas and degrees that deliver creative industry training in television and filmmaking, photography, game design, digital media and sports media.
Boomsatsuma operates a “rapidly growing, highly creative faculty across several locations”, a press release said.
Its Filmmaking: Production and Filmmaking: Post Production undergraduate programmes offer “outstanding” industry-connected courses through the Bristol Film School.
As part of its commitment to outstanding teaching standards, it wanted to invest in camera and lighting equipment which would be fully aligned with technologies used across UK studios, production companies and rental houses.
Students also need to build experience with modern, industry-standard tools to remain competitive in the job market. “We aim to give students a learning experience that fully reflects the industry they will be entering,” commented Freya Billington, head of Bristol Film School, Boomsatsuma.
“When we set up the Bristol Film School in 2020 we wanted to make sure our camera and lighting kit would support the standard of teaching we require. Budget schedules mean we can’t always purchase what we need outright and also reflect the ongoing technical advancements within the industry to make sure our student skillset is as relevant as possible when they move into the employment market.”
To address these issues, they needed a structured finance option to access the equipment they needed without relying on significant upfront capital releases and ideally, with the facility to upgrade more predictably and sustainably over time.
Solution
Following a thorough evaluation process, Boomsatsuma entered into a technology and finance partnership with leading film solutions provider CVP and its sister company Creative Vision Finance.
To address its technology renewal needs, CVP worked closely with Boomsatsuma leadership to define its technical requirements and ensure its new equipment was integrated effectively.
As specialists in the media and entertainment sector, this included guidance on a package including modern cine camera systems and LED lighting from leading manufacturers such as Blackmagic, Sony, Canon, Manfrotto, DJI, Aputure, Amaran etc., tailored to its unique needs.
The product evaluation process was further supported by access to CVP showrooms, equipment demonstrations and specialist workshops, giving them useful insight into the options available.
Once the choices were finalised, CVP then supplied the equipment from in-stock inventory and provided training and onboarding for its staff. This was supported by ongoing after-sales technical assistance, servicing and repair via its in-house engineering team.
“CVP helped us identify the right combination of cameras and lighting for our courses, and the support they provided made the transition to the new kit straightforward for staff and students alike,” said Nirmala Valinciute, lecturer at Boomsatsuma.
To support longer-term planning and alignment with sustainability goals, CVP also provides access to its used-kit marketplace, consignment sales and auction channels.
To finance the purchases, CVF (CVP’s sister finance arm) designed a structured asset-finance model tailored to Boomsatsuma’s budget requirements. Payments are spread over a multi-year term to align with departmental budgeting cycles, eliminating the need for a large upfront capital release by shifting the acquisition to a financing model.
The impact
Implementing industry-standard camera and lighting equipment, Boomsatsuma believes, strengthens the impact of its practical teaching ethos by giving students access to the latest high-quality equipment.
Students work with products widely used across the industry, helping them build relevant skills and experience that meet the needs and expectations of potential future employees and CVP’s enhanced technical support has helped minimise downtime.
Delivering improved facilities has also enhanced the impact of its open days by boosting applicant engagement and supporting course recruitment. “Students train on the kind of equipment they’ll use in real production environments, which is integral to our teaching and the experience we offer applicants,” revealed Dave Neal, head of production at the Film School.
Crucially, access to bespoke, flexible finance opened a route to achieving its equipment modernisation objectives, alongside a more straightforward forward-planning strategy that removes pressure on annual capital budgets. Built-in refresh options mean it can stay aligned with industry expectations rather than holding onto outdated products.
Modern LED lighting and access to lifecycle services also support its sustainability objectives by reducing energy use in practical classes and by embedding circular-economy practices through their longer lifespans, reuse and take-back/maintenance options.
“Partnering with CVP and CVF has given us a very effective route to keep our technology suite current while staying firmly within our financial boundaries,” concluded Dr Lee Scott, head of higher education at Boomsatsuma.
