Clever Trevor talks chance encounters and client relationships
For
Clever Trevor, attending FOCUS has translated into tangible business opportunities, stronger industry relationships and greater visibility for the South West as a production destination. The company’s decision to exhibit at the last event was made just two weeks before FOCUS, but the impact has continued well beyond the event itself.
“We’ve had four commercials” as a direct result of the connections made at FOCUS, says
Dayane Rodrigues. Among them were a series of Omaze commercials, which began when the production team approached Clever Trevor at the event. Following the first shoot, the relationship developed into repeat business, with the company subsequently being called whenever Omaze had a commercial filming in the region. The work has also opened the door to clients outside Clever Trevor’s traditional film and TV remit.
Perhaps more importantly, the relationships established through FOCUS have developed into an ongoing dialogue. Clever Trevor has maintained a close relationship with production company Retransmission, supporting its projects in the South West not only through equipment and location services, but with local knowledge and logistical advice. For Rodrigues, that ability to contribute beyond the immediate brief demonstrates the value of having genuinely local production expertise.
“A lot of these production companies, they are London-based,” she says. “They’re travelling for the week for a project. They’ve got no insights or knowledge of the local area.” Clever Trevor’s understanding of Cornwall and the wider South West means it can advise productions on practical considerations such as parking, access and location logistics, helping visiting teams navigate challenges they may not otherwise anticipate.
FOCUS also provided opportunities to reconnect with contacts from Rodrigues’ existing London network, while its talks and presentations offered practical takeaways. A sustainability session focused on transport, in particular, prompted Clever Trevor to make changes to reduce its carbon footprint, with Rodrigues noting that the measures have already been working well.
For the year ahead, Clever Trevor is taking its FOCUS presence to another level. The company is planning to collaborate with other local suppliers, with the wider aim of demonstrating that the South West has the infrastructure, expertise and workforce to support major productions.
“We want people to see that we can sustain it, we can do this big productions. We have people here, you just need to know about us and what we can offer.”
For Rodrigues, that increased visibility is central to Clever Trevor’s growth. Since FOCUS, she says, “business got busy” as companies began approaching them directly. The event has helped put Clever Trevor on the radar of producers and returning locals alike, creating a stronger network around production in the region and laying the groundwork for further growth.
Clevor Trevor will be returning for FOCUS 2026 so
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