About us
A potted history of Fettle Digital
Fettle Digital is a Video Production Company based in the great city of Manchester, founded by Matt Gathercole & Ben Schmidt.
Matt and Ben first crossed paths on a shoot back in 2011. After quickly striking up a rapport they started working on each other’s projects in an ad-hoc manner. Fast forward to the tail end of 2022 and, on a long drive back from a shoot, it was decided to make things ‘formal’.
After a few months of sorting out the details (mainly about what name to go with!), Fettle Digital was incorporated in May 2023.
Matt
Matt began his career working at a TV facilities house, prepping kit and booking crews.
After a stint of travelling Matt began freelancing, working as a trainee clapper loader on dramas & as a camera assistant on TV and commercials.
He then began investing in his own camera kit and steadily building his experience as a camera operator, lighting cameraman and now DP (Director of Photography).
Matt has grown to be an accomplished & experienced person behind the camera, shooting Commercials, Documentaries and Corporates for Agencies and blue chip clients – including Hilton Hotels, Microsoft, BBC, ITV, Astra Zeneca and a promo for the Beatles.
Ben
After finishing a 2 year fast track TV course at Ravensbourne University in London, Ben moved back up north and started working as a freelance corporate producer.
An early client was Corona Extra, who Ben spent 7 years organising shoots across Europe for, documenting their major ATL & BTL marketing and events activities.
Other clients followed, including the ChillFactore (now called Beyond), Halewood International, Quilter Cheviot and Dorling Kindersley.
In more recent years Ben has directly supplied brands like Skechers, Under Armour, Zoho and Armour Home.