Telling LGBTQIA+ Stories W/ The ShortaFORM Project

ShortaFORM is a 10-week industry training programme funded by DCMS(The Department For Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) and the GMCA(Greater Manchester Combined Authority), created to up-skill local creatives and develop diverse digital content. Over the 10 weeks, our participants learnt how to create short form video content, working with Manchester Studiosand ShortaTV. During which, they learnt fundamental production and editing techniques, as well as gaining knowledge of social media and digital marketing.

Local creatives and storytellers alike came together and shared their stories of love, life and legacy. Dispersing beautiful and heartfelt tales about the city, the interviews below allude to the LGBTQIA+ community of the North West. Whether you are looking for your new favourite cafe or thinking of taking up charity work, these interviews have the answers for you.

THE SUNDAY BOYS – CREATED BY ALEX PASCALIDIS

Meet Alex Pascalidis, a multi-disciplinary artist, practising within music, poetry, video & photography. Alex is interested in the cross-section of all of these mediums, how they exist within each other as well as on their own, along with how they can be used best for the purpose of storytelling.

For the ShortaFORM 2021, Alex interviewed Michael Betteridge, a composer and conductor based in Manchester. Michael works as a Musical & Artistic Director for a low-voice LGBTQIA+ choir called the Sunday Boys.

To find out more about Michael & the Sunday Boys, watch the video down below.

THE PROUD TRUST – CREATED BY ALEX TAYLOR

Introducing Alex Taylor, a fellow aspiring creative in Manchester that joined the ShortaFORM project to improve their digital storytelling skills and develop a career in the creative space.

In 2021, Alex interviewed Gordon Smith. A proud Mancunian at heart and youth worker for The Proud Trust, an LGBTQ+ organisation helping to support and empower their young community by providing them with the resources to do so.

After growing up in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain as a black man in the 1980s, Gordon sheds some light on the Section 28 law permitting homosexuality, his experiences with the police and his favourite anecdote for why he chose to stay in Manchester.

It’s evident that the world around us has changed since the 1980s, but the same issues within the media, government, police force and community still exist.

Watch the full video below to hear more about Gordon Smith’s story.

INVISIBLE MANCHESTER – CREATED BY ALICE REID

Alice Reid is a DJ, radio presenter, film-maker and aspiring documentary videographer based in Manchester. As one of the first cohort’s participants, Alice found that working creatively (despite it being on zoom) helped them stay motivated and creative during the pandemic.

Alice chose to focus on Laura Ashcroft, a tour guide from the social enterprise that is Invisible Manchester, which is part of the wider organisation Invisible Cities. This charity helps those that have been previously homeless by training them to be tour guides around the city. As a transgender woman, Laura discloses how the history of inspirational Mancunian women tour influenced her journey of transition, as well as sharing her secrets for happiness and what Manchester means to her.

Watch the full interview down below.

FEEL GOOD CLUB – CREATED BY CAL FREEMAN

Meet Cal Freeman, a photographer, videographer & all round creative. After graduating from Film Practise in Newcastle, Cal moved to Manchester in hope of finding more film & TV opportunities. He now works as a full-time Content Creator after years of film orientated freelancing, securing his career goal as a full-time creative.

Cal chose to explore Feel Good Club, a well-being cafe in the Northern Quarter that is run by wifey-duo Kiera & Aimee. In this space they provide workshops and events, as well as the obvious food and coffee you would expect to find at a coffee shop. All staff are fully trained if you just need a chat or a safe space to feel good.

A great spot for a quick coffee catch-up, a bowl of ramen, or simply to sit and have an afternoon read, be sure to check it out when you’re next having a wonder about NQ.

Watch the full video down below to hear all about Kiera & Aimee’s journey with Feel Good Club.

Taïga AKA DJ SOYBOI – CREATED BY RACHEL STRUTHERS

Rachael Struthers is a longstanding music enthusiast, radio DJ and host for Panic FM which is an online radio collective set up up in response to the pandemic. For this story, Rachael interviewed Taïga, a DJ and producer from Manchester. As a DJ, they go by the name DJ Soyboi, well known in the Manchester clubbing scene if you’re a fan of Footwork, Jungle or Drum & Bass.

Since this project, Taïga has been doing some amazing work. Alongside artist Hardcore Harry they curated a database resource for trans and non-binary DJs and artists alike for Non-Binary Awareness Week. Available on Google Docs, this database includes producers, bands, singers, artists, dancers and lighting technicians.

Be sure to check out their new club night called Tough Act, a night of music you don’t expect to hear at queer nights such as Jungle, Hardcore, Gabber, Breakcore, Break Beats & Dubstep.

Watch the full interview down below to hear about the music scene in Manchester, STEAM Radio, the Headroom project & more.

SIREN ASYLUM– CREATED BY SHANNON WOOTTON

Shannon Wootton is a DJ, Graphic Design graduate and multidisciplinary creator, with skills in Illustration other visual realms of content. She is also the Creative Director for The Beatriarchy, a platform for underrepresented artists, and a resident at Steam Radio.

Shannon’s ShortaFORM journey took her to Alice Ashurt, an Ariel Arts Instructor and Pole performer for Polefire at Siren Asylum.

What is Siren Asylum you ask? Let us introduce you. It is an alternative Rock and Metal gym, body positive and fitness studio based in Manchester. Siren Asylum is a space for anybody who identifies as a woman, creating a a community hub and family of people who embrace one another’s individuality.

Alice talks about Burlesque, the stigma behind Pole dancing and what Manchester means to her.

Find out more down below.