TECH
2020 is proving to be Wander Films ’ year
It ’ s a Wander-ful life !
BY JULIE BURNISTON
When back in November last year they accepted the contract to shoot the shortlist videos for the inaugural Tees Tech Awards , the team at Wander Films had no idea they would eventually be in the running for four awards themselves .
The shortlists – created via a uniquely democratic scoring system with five different sponsors scoring each category – were kept firmly under wraps .
Wander discovered the exciting news via social media posts that it had been shortlisted in the Small Business and Best Newcomer categories , with creative director Chloe Clover in the final three for both Business Leader and Rising Star awards .
“ It was such a shock when the shortlists were announced ,” says managing director Lou Tonner .
“ It was great to see we had been shortlisted for one award , but when it got to four , we couldn ’ t believe it ! We are so humbled and fortunate to have so much support .”
Chloe eventually walked away with the well-deserved Rising Star trophy , to the delight of her colleagues .
“ We were all buzzing ,” admits Lou . “ We are very proud of Chloe and the way she leads Wander Films . She motivates us all to be the absolute best we can be . She was blown away and wasn ’ t expecting to win at all .”
Watching their work being streamed as part of the virtual awards was another proud moment for the team .
“ It was so much fun watching the event ,” says Lou . “ We had our team together at Wanderland , enjoyed pizza and drinks and captured some of the night , which we posted a few days later . It was great that we could celebrate together .”
Lou couldn ’ t be happier with the way the evening came together and how everyone collaborated .
“ We hadn ’ t seen anything like it before . It felt very exciting and fresh . It made sense , with it being the Tees Tech Awards , that it was fully digital .
“ Many of our friends and clients were watching online who wouldn ’ t have been at the event because they ’ re not from the area , so that was incredible . We just feel so excited for the next awards .”
The demand for the Wander team ’ s skills has certainly skyrocketed in recent months and they are proving to be a beacon of light in a dark Covid tunnel . Their eye-catching and unique videos , as well as their dynamic presence on social media , has set them apart and their stable of talent continues to grow .
“ Things have been very busy at Wander ,” says Lou . “ We have employed three new guys – Dean , a fast-talking and creative social media manager , Heather , who is a very talented and experienced filmmaker , and Jay , a content producer who is a crazy-good illustrator too .
“ Simon Petett and Charlotte Mitchell have super stepped up , too , and it ’ s so amazing to see .
“ We ’ ve been introducing them to the Wander ways , but they already fit right in and it feels like they ’ ve been part of the team for months .”
After an admittedly weird spring / summer due to the pandemic , things are certainly picking up in the region and especially for Wander Films .
“ Things are exciting again ,” agrees Lou . “ If we keep going the way we are then we will definitely be recruiting again by the end of the year .
“ And we have some exciting plans we ’ re working on behind the scenes , including mega enquiries from companies overseas , which ties into our conversations with the Department for International Trade .
“ 2020 is proving to be our year .”
48 | Tees Business