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.
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 TVand Manchester Studios.
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!
AudioFORM is a 12-week training programme focusing on all aspects of audio production including; podcasting, sound design, production, studio engineering, editing and radio drama.
AudioFORM is part of the #FastTrackFund and is supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport & Lancashire Skills Hub.
Eligibility for GM Fast Track AudioFORM is as follows:
Aged 19+
In-work, unemployed for 12 months or less or looking for work e.g. returners, graduates, self-employed etc.
A resident of Greater Manchester or Lancashire.
Not already participated in a Digital Fast Track Funded Course.
In addition to the above eligibility criteria we are looking for 50% female learners on each course and a cohort that reflects the ethnic diversity of the local area.
The training is led by Reform Radio – winners of Gold at Audio Production Awards, who have experience in producing audio content for BBC, Audio Content Fund, Hits Radio and many more. Participants will also each receive a Rode NT-USB microphone for use during the project and for their own use beyond the project.
Have a listen to Masks Off, Breath out (Below), a show created by this AudioFORM’s participants, which showcases a wide range of topics. From music to literature, from comedy to technology, they have the antidote to your isolation, the cure to your boredom.
Scroll down to see some of the amazing industry professionals that were invited to help guide the AudioFORM participants!
Axel Kacoutié
Axel Kacoutié is a multi-award-winning audio artist and poet who’s been working with sound, music and words to challenge the familiar and revive the magic in the mundane. His work has featured on the BBC, Channel 4, NOWNESS and the Barbican. He is also the Sound Designer and theme composer for the Guardian’s daily news podcast, Today in Focus.
Kate Cocker
Kate Cocker is the voice behind one of Amazon’s Top 10 Rated Flash Briefings: “Everyday Positivity”. With 20 years experience in the radio and audio industry, she founded “The Presenter Coach” to help people be confident, comfortable and creative when they speak in public – whether that be on stage, on screen or indeed, on a podcast.
In her previous roles at the BBC and in Commercial Radio Kate became an expert in creating engaging audio delivered authentically through gripping storytelling, intricate sound design, and coaching the presenters to be the best “them” they could be. Kate now coaches broadcasters and business leaders alike to be authentic and impactful communicators and is one of the production brains behind podcasts like The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast, Humans Of Business with Charlotte Pearce and Badass Women’s Hour.
Mel Harris
Mel Harris is Managing Director of Sparklab specialising in drama production for radio and other audio platforms. Sparklab Productions are an audio production company who create audio stories and content for companies, charities, the arts sector and all the BBC audio networks. Mel Harris worked within the BBC as a radio drama producer for 12 years, ran BBC Writersroom (North) for 5 years and set up her own successful audio production company more than 10 years ago. She has produced and directed many hundreds of audio programmes, both drama and documentary and been appointed as executive producer on many other indie productions. She regularly acts as executive producer for a number of companies including Holy Mountain and Savvy Productions.
