Month: September 2024

Next on our series of Skills Bootcamps, funded by GMCA and GM Work & Skills, was our debut Video Podcast Production course. Our participants were led by Reform Radio and BBC Studios professionals to learn the ropes of planning, recording, producing and promoting a video podcast for a real-life creative client. These clients included Blossom Foundation, GigPig, Ghetto Fabulous and more. To draw the project to a close our group of attendees presented their work to their clients and industry professionals. It was a joy to see the incredible video podcast content they had created. Keep an eye our Instagram to check all of the podcasts out when they launch.

We caught up with a few of those who took part in the project to find out more about what they got up to and how they feel they have grown through the programme; meet Neenagh, Will, Lesley, Tomas and Chloe.

Neenagh (she/her)

What prompted you to get involved in this Skills Bootcamp project?

I originally did Reform’s Podcasting Course, funded by MAES, and I started my own podcast off the back of that. I jumped straight into making it as a video podcast for the social media content element. However, I didn’t really know how to do it so I paid for a production team to help bring it to life. This course came at the perfect time for me to build my technical visual skills. This has meant I can now create the podcast all on my own, giving me autonomy over my content.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform on the Skills Bootcamp versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?

One of the main things I will take away from Reform are the connections I have made. I’ve met such a diverse range of people and have made soul connections. They’ve made me feel understood, valued and appreciated. The staff have always been so motivational to me. I am such a self critic and suffered from really bad imposter syndrome before coming to Reform.

One of the first courses I took part in at Reform was Positive Frequencies and I wrote a piece about neurodiversity and how I’d overcome that into adulthood. Before I joined that course I was in hibernation. I had been through a really bad patch of life and, to be honest, I didn’t really see light at the end of the tunnel at one point. Reform has been a saviour. It got me back out the house. They helped me get back in touch with parts of myself that were in hiding. Reform really helped me ease back into connecting with other people, feeling safe to do so and having a safe space to be creative.

What is one thing you’d tell someone thinking of coming to join the next round of the project?

Absolutely come. There’s nothing to lose, but everything to gain. You’re in really safe hands and you’re going to surprise yourself with what you’re going to achieve.

Will (he/him)

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform on the Skills Bootcamp versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?

I’m more inquisitive. Also, I have found myself appreciating all types of media. It sounds dramatic, but I truly feel like I am getting more out of life and observing things. I do feel like I have changed as a person. Even on an interpersonal level, I’ve never been to a place where you introduce yourself with your name and pronouns and that’s really special.

Chloe (she/her)

What prompted you to get involved in this Skills Bootcamp project?

I wanted to join the Video Podcast course to increase my skillset, develop my CV and get more experience in the radio sphere.

What is one thing you’d tell someone thinking of coming to join the next round of the project?

Definitely join the project, not just for the radio side but it’ll improve your confidence too. You also get to meet some amazing people and work together in a team.

What is one thing you’ve learnt on the course?

One thing I’ve definitely learnt is how to create a video podcast, with attention to scripting and structuring it.

Tomas (he/him)

What prompted you to get involved in this Skills Bootcamp project?

I got involved because I have an interest in producing media. I already had an idea for a podcast that I wanted to create which covers issues the LGBTQIA+ community face, particularly gay men. However, I felt like I lacked some skills and I was getting overwhelmed by the production elements. Also, I would love to get some form of employment and to get my foot into a career in the creative field in Manchester.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform on the Skills Bootcamp versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?

So much has changed this past month. My main role in creating the video podcast was as Director and Creative Producer. I have had to see the project through so many elements. It has helped me build so much confidence. I always knew I was capable, but seeing it actually come to life with an actual pitch and creative brief and working with professional tools has boosted my confidence. I know that my podcast idea is not unachievable. It’s shown me I can do this!

Les (they/them)

What is one thing you’ve learnt on the course?

The key thing I have learnt from the course is how much I love editing. My key take away is being able to produce a podcast from start to finish. Whatever content you manage to gather, if you’re a good editor, you can make it look like gold dust. I never would’ve been able to learn these editing skills anywhere else or on my own because I’ve had invaluable feedback from the staff.

Get involved in our next round of Skills Bootcamps in Video Production or Video Podcast production; find out more information here.

We’ve kickstarted our series of Skills Bootcamps, funded by GMCA and GM Work & Skills. Launching the programme, we welcomed participants to our debut three-week Video Production course. Our attendees worked in teams throughout the project and were assigned real-life creative brief clients. This time round, they had the chance to create video content for Venture Arts, Sharp Futures, Bearded Fellows and Big People Music. To celebrate the closing of the project we held a showcase for our participants to share their work with their clients and a bunch of industry professionals.

Read our full catch up with two of our attendees, Sia and Yolanda, to find out about their time on our project below.

Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you get up to in your free time.

Y: I am Yolanda, and my pronouns are she/her. I’m well known as a radio presenter, and producer, but I’m also a vocalist.

S: Hi, I’m Sia, my pronouns are she/her. I am a gig person. I like trying out new gigs or festivals, especially in Manchester.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Y: Innovative, enthusiastic and creative.

S: I would say creative as well, a music-lover, and adventurous.

What prompted you to get involved with Skills Bootcamp?

Y: I got involved with the course because it was suggested to me by my mentor, Adele, who I met at a previous course at Reform. Mainly, it was because I produce a lot of podcasts and radio shows, and I shoot a lot of content for Amapiano music specifically. I also do event promotion. So, I thought it would be a great skill to have in terms of shooting all these different things I run.

S: Video production was never my favourite thing, to be honest, but I’ve always wanted to learn about it. These days on social media, everyone uses short-form content. I thought it would be really helpful to get to grips with it.

If you could create any piece of video content for yourself/a brand/an artist, what would it be? And who would you want to work with? 

Y: I’ve always loved adverts, especially Pepsi, Red Bull, Nando’s; all the adverts that have either entertainment or sports behind them. It would have to be one of those!

S: I can’t really specify one company. I would say just a general music label or artist. Since I’m more into the live music industry, it would be cool to capture live show moments.

Did you have much experience in video production before? What’s your favourite thing about it and why?

Y: I have had experience with camera equipment and video because of shooting podcasts in my past. Because I went to an arts institution in South Africa, I was exposed to film equipment and filmmakers. My favourite part of video production is the conceptualising. For example, storyboarding, putting it together, thinking of the ideas and where you’re going to shoot it.

S: I don’t have much experience in video. It was almost my first time filming properly. My favourite part is that video is so impactful and can be so powerful when you edit it.

What’s one significant thing you have learnt through your time on Skills Bootcamp?

Y: The formatting, how to save it, how to export it, what to name it, what to label it, and more. I’m one of those who will dump footage anywhere so that was really helpful.

S: It sounds not interesting, but definitely how to edit. It is the basic but essential skill that you need to create the best outcome.

Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform on the Skills Bootcamps course versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed? 

Y: I was a bit anxious about meeting people as I tend to have a bit of anxiety leaving my house. But for this course, because I’ve worked in a crew and a creative team, it gave me the inspiration to want to be here. I want to be on time. I want to be active, and want to be here.

S: It was my first workshop to participate in at Reform, and I was a bit nervous about meeting new people and getting to know a new group. Now, I’m feeling more confident, I would say. I feel more familiar with everyone and this environment.

What would you say to someone thinking about signing up for the next round of the Skills Bootcamps?

Y: Reform Radio courses are very hands-on, in terms of you as a person and technically. The courses do seem as if they run really fast, but, trust me, by the end of the day, you’ll know what you’re doing and what’s expected of you. That’s one thing I really appreciate about the course; you know what the end goal is, and you’re given time to work towards it.

S: It’s totally understandable if you’re intimidated at first, especially if you have no background or experience in video editing. But the team members are all so supportive so don’t be afraid. They will always help you along the way.

What will you take from Skills Bootcamp moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?

Y: For me, if I could, I’d take Nick, one of our facilitators because he is amazing! But jokes aside, I’ll take the process of the whole shoot, from start to finish – conceptualising, storyboarding, shooting, editing, and the whole process of shooting. I’ve got another team of mine who wants to shoot a lot of commercials and a lot of YouTube skits and shorts. I’ve got interviews with international artists coming up, so it’s going to be really helpful in terms of working with my team, whether it’s editing, shooting or writing up storyboards and questions. I’m definitely going to use these skills consistently.

S: I will take the essential editing skills from this course to use for social media content in the future.

Head to our Upcoming Projects page here to find out about what else we’ve got coming up.