“I’m ready to do this now” Daughter’s Keeper founder Mark Finbow’s transformational Screen Launchpad experience

Mark Finbow is the founder of the Lowestoft-based theatre and film company Keeper’s Daughter. Having found success with his hit touring show H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, life responsibilities led him to pivot towards something new. Utilizing the hand-crafted time vessel used in his popular stage production, this journey led him to create Time Travelling With Myself, a short form drama series that doubled-up as an early career opportunity for new graduates and early filmmakers in the region.

It didn’t take long for him to realise just how popular this new screen-based venture was among the young people directly involved with it. Soon, Finbow found himself on our Creative Enterprise Screen Launchpad scheme to help keep the momentum going and reach new heights. “I could tell this was a great project and thought ‘Now, it needs to be a business. There’s a real need for this,’” says Finbow. “It was at that point where I saw Screen Launchpad and thought ‘I’m going to apply to see if I can get the help I need.’”

As part of our Creative Enterprise programme, Screen Launchpad aims to give founders of new screen-based businesses the opportunity to level-up their game. From the get-go, it was clear that it could offer Finbow lots of things that would be useful to his evolving skillset. “I was looking to launch a screen business and I didn’t really know how to do that,” he admits, recalling his reasons for applying. “I thought the mentoring would be pretty vital for me. I needed lots of specific industry knowledge that I didn’t currently have.” 

A big part of the programme’s remit is to support founders from under-represented backgrounds. As someone who was more than familiar with various ‘visiting’ schemes, Finbow was pleased to discover that this one offered slightly more long-lasting support. “Over the years, I’ve seen a few outreach programmes come to East Anglia but you often find they come for a few weeks then you drop off the edge and nothing really happens. That hasn’t been the case for me and Screen Launchpad,” he says. “It feels like I’m supported.”

Part of this support comes via an industry mentor assigned to each cohort member. Together, they collaborate to iron out solid future plans. “My mentor has been very generous. He’s very keen on my business and what it can achieve, and feels very passionate about it. It’s important because I have a lack of knowledge in terms of the broader screen industry,” he adds. “A strategic plan to approach it is something I’ve never had before but I’m now able to build - and my mentor can help with that. Screen LaunchPad has really been vital in helping me find a mentor and take steps forward in both knowledge and approach to the industry.”

Elsewhere, the cohort Finbow found himself a part of has offered equally unexpected benefits. “The chance to meet people with other start-ups who are creating their own screen businesses has been really useful,” he tells us. “Through meeting people in the network on the course, I’ve been able to find contacts within the industry. It’s been brilliant.

While pivoting towards a new venture is always a leap of faith, Finbow feels his time on the scheme has given him the validation needed to know his goal is worth tackling. “One of the biggest takeaways is that it’s given me confidence,” he smiles. “I went into this knowing I wanted to pivot my business but not really knowing if I should - or could - do that.” Thankfully, things changed when he attended his first session. “Listening to the cohort and mentors and hearing feedback about my plans made me think there is a good idea here - and I should pursue it.”

As a result, these combined elements have helped add to Finbow’s confidence as a creative founder, preparing him for anything the future may bring “I have the tools now to develop my business, a strategy and branding - and I have contacts who I can reach out to. I feel much more confident in approaching people,” he says. “I’m ready to do this now - and the support from my mentor is continuing to build on that confidence and belief.”