A freelance videographer from Swanage has seen his career take off following an £800 grant from the Dorset Community Foundation’s SWEF Enterprise Fund. Richard Koburn, 28, used the funding to purchase a new gimbal, enabling him to produce smoother, more professional-looking footage and expand his business.
The SWEF Enterprise Fund is designed to assist young individuals aged 18 to 30 who face financial challenges or other disadvantages in starting their own businesses. For Koburn, the grant has played a pivotal role in transforming his life, particularly after a challenging start.
Leaving school at the age of 15 without qualifications, Koburn initially worked as a labourer to help support his family in Poole. “I was just one of those people that slipped through the cracks at school,” he said. After four years on construction sites, he transitioned to a job in a pharmacy in London. Inspired by his girlfriend and her friends attending university, he began to contemplate his own future.
A visit to the cinema provided a spark of inspiration. “Watching 2001: A Space Odyssey, I thought I’d love to be a filmmaker one day,” Koburn recalled. However, he was unsure how to pursue that dream. Determined to follow this newfound passion, he enrolled in an Access to University course at Bournemouth and Poole College, later earning a BA (Hons) in Film Production from Bournemouth University. He also completed a camera course at the National Film and Television School.
While studying, Koburn faced financial hardships, often sleeping on friends’ sofas and cutting back on food to save money for camera equipment. “Around one per cent of people studying film production go into the industry, which made me realise there was a world away from this largely middle and upper-class existence of filmmaking,” he explained.
After completing his degree at 27, he began his career in videography by filming weddings and creating small brand adverts. He soon found freelance work with independent production companies, but faced limitations due to a lack of budget for high-quality stabilising equipment.
Discovering an affordable gimbal that would allow him to capture steady shots, he realised he needed financial support to make the purchase. A conversation with another cameraman led him to the SWEF grant application. “I applied and got an email back almost immediately from Dorset Community Foundation. I was absolutely amazed,” he said.
Following a video interview with SWEF funders, Koburn received the £800 grant, allowing him to purchase the gimbal. “I predicted that if I could get smoother and more fluid imagery, I’d be able to scale my business, and it has dramatically,” he said.
Since receiving the grant, Koburn has worked with renowned clients, including filming food promotions for Rick Stein’s restaurants and capturing thrilling moments at MotoGP events. “I’m now working five days a week, filming two days and editing three. I feel much more confident in what I’m doing,” he shared.
Looking ahead, Koburn remains committed to building his business while nurturing his dream of directing advertisements in London. “It shows that if you are determined, there are many routes to achieve your goals, and this SWEF grant has really helped,” he concluded.
To see Richard’s work, visit his website at richardkoburn.com. For more information on SWEF grants, visit dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.