Merigo Films launches in Leeds – Alumni stories, James Cullen and Jordan Malthouse
In October this year 2014 Film and TV graduates James Cullen and Jordan Malthouse launched their Leeds-based video production agency, Merigo Films. We were delighted to welcome them back to York St John and to chat to them about what they’ve been up to since leaving York St John and how their new venture came about.
Jordan (left) and James (right)
James and Jordan first met seven years ago when they both enrolled on to the Film and TV programme. ‘I’m originally from Leeds,’ Jordan explains. ‘And I was keen to study somewhere far enough away to be independent, but close enough so it wouldn’t take too long to get home. I’ve always liked York as a place but York St John had also been recommended to me by a friend.’
James took a different route, coming to York St John through Clearing. ‘I didn’t get the A-levels I needed and I was rejected from my first choice to study America Studies in Nottingham. I’d always been interested in film but only considered it to be something I would do in my spare time, but when I went through Clearing there was an opportunity for me to come to YSJ to study film and television. Looking back I’m delighted that I came to the beautiful city of York and pursued my passion.”
After graduation James and Jordan went their separate ways to gain valuable industry experience. ‘I got work as a runner on BBC shows like Dickinson’s Real Deal, Antiques Roadshow and The Big Questions,’ Jordan said. ‘I then spent around a year working two days a week on the Jeremy Kyle Show while also doing a few days a week of work experience for a marketing agency on video production and social media. This led to a permanent part time role with the agency but unfortunately I was made redundant early in 2018. It was a shame; I really enjoyed my time there and left on great terms.’ James ended up following a similar path. ‘I completed an MA in marketing at Leeds Beckett whilst working as an extra on TV shows, which was great experience for being on a TV set. I also got a role managing the social media for the Emmerdale Studio Experience, and alongside this started doing my own freelance copy writing work. I was also unfortunately made reductant from my Emmerdale Studios role earlier in 2018, which was when I got a call from Jordan.’
James filming with York Gin
Jordan and James met in May this year to develop the idea of starting their own video production business. Their time at York St John provided some real inspiration, notably from other York St John alumni. ‘I remember that when we were still students, a former Film and TV student, Keenan Foley, came in to talk to us about his video production company Orillo, based in York. It was really valuable hearing about the process they’d gone through in getting set up and we really looked up to them in terms of what was possible. After we started to make plans for starting our own company we spent some time with Keenan; his advice and experience has been incredible in helping us make the right steps and getting us to where we are now.’
The pair used the anniversary of a major film event to promote the launch of their new company. ‘We spent a lot of the early days creating a show reel that we could use to attract prospective clients, as well as doing everything we could to prepare the brand and the website,’ Jordan said. ‘As we were getting close to launching we realised that 14 October was the 130th anniversary of Louis Le Prince creating one of the first pieces of moving picture sequences in Leeds in 1888.”
James and Jordan visit the TV studio at YSJ
The company launched in October and James and Jordan have completed their first paid work, and are working closely with a number of prospective clients. Their main focus is brand films for website and social media as well as creating testimonials and producing event videography. ‘We’re currently working out of a pub so it would be great to have our own space in the next 12 months,’ Jordan explains. ‘We’re also keen to work more with local freelancers and give something back to the film and TV community, and in the long term we might look at adding TV production to our offer.’
If you would like to find out more about James and Jordan’s company Merigo Films, why not check out their website!
