AN OXFORDSHIRE video agency bringing high-quality storytelling to the world of corporate productions is celebrating its fifth year in business by moving to a bigger office.
RAW Pictures says it is on a quest to ‘break the conventions that have previously made commercial film boring and repetitive’.
The company, run by 26-year-olds Will Dawson and Will Littlewood, has worked with clients across the world including Deloitte, Xero, Matchroom Boxing and Live Nation.
The founders say their mission is to bring a fresh perspective to corporate video, using cutting-edge technology and high-quality filmmaking.
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“The unique style of our video techniques, our energy and our team full of creatives is what allows us to produce content that stands above what traditional corporate video has looked like in the past,” said Mr Dawson.
“When we started we wanted to change the way corporate video was done and break the conventions that have previously made commercial film boring and repetitive.
“We’ve invested heavily in the best equipment and talent so that we can offer high-budget film quality for competitive pricing.
“We describe ourselves as film makers first, corporate video makers second.”
Originally based in Thame before a move to Oxford, RAW switched to Monument Park in Chalgrove at the end of 2018 but completed a move to a bigger space on the same site last month.
“We’ve got a growing team of talented creatives and we wanted our new office to reflect that,” said Mr Dawson.
“We’ve aimed to build a creative space for clients and employees using a 1920s theme and lamp lighting to give it a speakeasy feel.
“It’s not just an office – we wanted to create a space that reflects the energy of the team. We are creative, expressive and comfortable, and we want people to experience that and feel part of it as they walk in.”
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RAW Pictures produces a variety of corporate content, from small-scale promotional films for businesses to full-scale television adverts.
Mr Dawson said: “The corporate team focuses on telling stories for businesses, through testimonials, case studies or whatever they desire.
"We also offer a diverse range of event-filming services, including livestreaming.”
Co-founder Mr Littlewood added: “When we started there was clearly an appetite for video from businesses, but now more of them are aware of just how much it can help, and it’s become a far more important aspect of their marketing.
“Search engines rank video very well and social media is full of videos, so people don’t want to be the ones left out.”
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The pair initially made music videos but got their big break when they landed their first corporate client and Mr Dawson was asked to speak on an IABM (International Trade Association for Broadcast and Media Technology) panel discussing the rise of young independent video makers.
RAW now has clients across the Thames Valley, Europe and America, covering a range of briefs. Mr Littlewood said: “There are so many ways you can use video and it doesn’t always have to be about selling.”
RAW has worked with Jamiroquai, leading British YouTuber KSI and the Royal Television Society, which has invited Mr Dawson to judge its student awards.
The expansion into a bigger space is designed to help the company continue to grow.
“This office move has been done with the future in mind,” said Mr Littlewood, who heads up the sales side of the business while Mr Dawson leads the creative team.
“Mr Littlewood added: “I know this year will be our best year ever. We are in a new networking group; we are doing SEO (search-engine optimisation) and word of mouth has become a lot more prevalent and we’ve built up a really good reputation.
“It’s been fantastic that we’ve been able to do that with all the uncertainty over Brexit around the corner.”
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Reviews website Three Best Rated already ranks RAW Pictures as the best video agency in Oxford, and Mr Littlewood is keen to cement that position.
He said: “We’ve got some great five-star reviews and a lot of our clients say they enjoy working with us because we’re younger and we bring with us fresh new ideas and technologies.
“We want to change the way corporate video is done.”
Visit rawpictures.co.uk.
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