Department for Culture, Media & Sport Archives

Masks Off, Breathe Out (Funded by GM Fast Track)

Escape the four walls you’ve been confined to for months with Masks Off, Breathe Out – a show hosted by a variety of creative Manc-based minds from all (socially distanced) walks of life.

From music to literature, from comedy to technology, this is the antidote to your isolation, the cure to your boredom.

AudioFORM was a 12-week project, kicked off by Annie Mac and delivered by Reform Radio, that provided room to breathe and a gateway into the wonderful world of podcasting and audio production.

Masks Off, Breathe Out showcased six brand-new short productions created by an eclectic bunch of sound geeks. Each team was given just 72 hours to come up with their very own innovative podcast, from concept to execution.

AudioFORM was part of GM Fast Track’s #FastTrackFund, and was supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport & Lancashire Skills Hub.

Project Highlight: ShortaFORM (2020)

ShortaFORM is a program that works with young people 18-30 to develop short form media and creative digital skills. The project is delivered with Shorta TV and Manchester Studios.

Thanks to Greater Manchester Combined Authority & Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Fast Track Digital Fund.

With a mix of expert advice and placement opportunities from partners from the BBC, Bearded Fellows, The Presenter Coach, Crocodile Media, Ashgate Hospice, Sonder Radio, Enterprise UK and more – the talented cohort have been equipped with the skills to excel in the creative industries.

The ShortaFORM participants were given the task of each finding an interviewee from the Manchester community that fits the criteria of being extraordinary but ordinary.

Not only were the young people given the opportunity to interview their chosen interviewee in a studio space, but they were also given guidance from industry level professionals for the whole production process, from planning to distribution. Check out the instagram page the 2020 ShortaFORM group created to get a sneak peak into the amazing pieces they made!