The Atlas Story
Atlas Television was founded in 2003 by four guys working in the television industry in London who wanted to set up a premiere crew and kit hire company in an exotic location. We considered Bangkok, Hong Kong – even thought about Paris – but ultimately settled on Dubai. Why? Just a feeling that Dubai was the place to go.
Dubai Media City was part of the attraction – a free trade zone to accommodate media companies from all over the world. And Dubai was intriguing. Here was a place that wasn’t much more than a settlement by the sea only a few decades ago working to establish itself as an international destination for tourists and businesses. Looked like an interesting opportunity - so we took it.
Several years on, we’ve seen a lot of changes and we’ve decided Atlas Television is here to stay. We’ve grown from a straight crew and kit hire company to an operation that offers the full range of services you see to your left.
The guiding principles of the company are the same as when we started. We’re here to supply world class standards, offer an unrivalled service and make our clients happy. All four of us honed our skills in London – one of the most vibrant media centres in the world – and we have brought that experience to Dubai.
We’ve built up a team with the same commitment to quality and service. That team has helped us achieve a track record of delivering world class crews and kits, aerials, broadcast and corporate productions and production and post production services.
Don’t just take our word for it, please check our testimonials.
Who are the four guys?
Mike Charlton. Mike is a director and DOP with years of experience. He moved to Dubai from London in August 2003 to get things going. He came with his wife and two young kids. For a few years he was wearing many hats – managing director, DOP, director, trouble-shooter. Long hours, lots of stress, the usual mix of pressures when you start a new business. He did a great job and was the main driving force behind getting Atlas Television where it is today. Thankfully, he no longer has to wear so many hats. These days he focuses on directing broadcast, corporate and commercial shoots – and he’s much more relaxed. Mike is originally from Australia but was based in London and worked all over the world from 1989 until 2003.
Cal Barton. Cal started out as a television reporter in 1982 and then moved to London in 1988. He spent ten years working in the international television news business from bases in London and Hong Kong. In 1999 he concentrated on developing one of the leading crew and kit hire companies in the UK. Cal commuted between London and Dubai from 2003 until moving to Dubai full time in August 2008. He is now managing director of Atlas Television.
Steve Lidgerwood. Steve is a highly regarded DOP based in London who heads up the Atlas Television operation there. Originally from Australia, Steve moved to London in the early 90s. He too has worked all over the world and these days primarily shoots for high profile programmes broadcast on UK terrestrial channels.
John Brennan. John has television in his blood. His father was a cameraman and so is his brother. John has years of experience managing crew and kit hire operations in the UK. He currently helps Steve run the Atlas operation in London and is also managing director of a leading UK crew and kit hire company.
Atlas Television was founded in 2003 by four guys working in the television industry in London who wanted to set up a premiere crew and kit hire company in an exotic location. We considered Bangkok, Hong Kong – even thought about Paris – but ultimately settled on Dubai. Why? Just a feeling that Dubai was the place to go.
Dubai Media City was part of the attraction – a free trade zone to accommodate media companies from all over the world. And Dubai was intriguing. Here was a place that wasn’t much more than a settlement by the sea only a few decades ago working to establish itself as an international destination for tourists and businesses. Looked like an interesting opportunity - so we took it.
Several years on, we’ve seen a lot of changes and we’ve decided Atlas Television is here to stay. We’ve grown from a straight crew and kit hire company to an operation that offers the full range of services you see to your left.
The guiding principles of the company are the same as when we started. We’re here to supply world class standards, offer an unrivalled service and make our clients happy. All four of us honed our skills in London – one of the most vibrant media centres in the world – and we have brought that experience to Dubai.
We’ve built up a team with the same commitment to quality and service. That team has helped us achieve a track record of delivering world class crews and kits, aerials, broadcast and corporate productions and production and post production services.
Don’t just take our word for it, please check our testimonials.
Who are the four guys?
Mike Charlton. Mike is a director and DOP with years of experience. He moved to Dubai from London in August 2003 to get things going. He came with his wife and two young kids. For a few years he was wearing many hats – managing director, DOP, director, trouble-shooter. Long hours, lots of stress, the usual mix of pressures when you start a new business. He did a great job and was the main driving force behind getting Atlas Television where it is today. Thankfully, he no longer has to wear so many hats. These days he focuses on directing broadcast, corporate and commercial shoots – and he’s much more relaxed. Mike is originally from Australia but was based in London and worked all over the world from 1989 until 2003.
Cal Barton. Cal started out as a television reporter in 1982 and then moved to London in 1988. He spent ten years working in the international television news business from bases in London and Hong Kong. In 1999 he concentrated on developing one of the leading crew and kit hire companies in the UK. Cal commuted between London and Dubai from 2003 until moving to Dubai full time in August 2008. He is now managing director of Atlas Television.
Steve Lidgerwood. Steve is a highly regarded DOP based in London who heads up the Atlas Television operation there. Originally from Australia, Steve moved to London in the early 90s. He too has worked all over the world and these days primarily shoots for high profile programmes broadcast on UK terrestrial channels.
John Brennan. John has television in his blood. His father was a cameraman and so is his brother. John has years of experience managing crew and kit hire operations in the UK. He currently helps Steve run the Atlas operation in London and is also managing director of a leading UK crew and kit hire company.
