What’s it like to work with or for an independent production company?

Made in Manchester is one of the leading producers of radio in the UK and makes programmes for a variety of international broadcasters.

Following the success of our previous advice seminars, MIM is offering a bite size version revealing what it’s like to work in the exciting but often overlooked independent sector.

Two seminars will be held in Manchester city centre in the last week of June – and there’s even a chance to book for separate one-to-one sessions at a later date.

Each seminar consists of the following:

* An introduction to the sector – what is an indie?

* A brief overview of how indies work with broadcasters

* A look at the opportunities available to work with an indie like MIM

*An outline of the ideas process and how to get your ideas off the ground

*Programme-making and what’s involved in the indie sector

*How you can stand out in the crowd

Made in Manchester makes programmes and features in all genres and for broadcasters around the world.

Come and get some advice from the experts.

Book now for one of two seminars which will both take place on June 25th 2013 at Mitchell Charlesworth on the 11th Floor, Centurion House, Deansgate, Manchester.

Morning Seminar 9.30-12.30

Afternoon Seminar 1.30-4.30

Fee: 35 plus VAT (TOTAL 42.00)

Additional One to One Sessions (to be arranged for a later date) – 15 plus VAT (TOTAL 18.00)

BOOK NOW

SEMINARS AND ONE TO ONES BOOK NOW

SEMINAR 1 £42.00 GBP SEMINAR 2 £42.00 GBP ONE TO ONE £18.00 GBP

Dreaming of Foxes imagines a meeting between the late poet laureate Ted Hughes (above) and an old school friend

An audio drama about the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes – which was originally made for online only by Made in Manchester – is to be broadcast on Radio 4 Extra next week (Friday, April 26^th 2013)

In Dreaming of Foxes (which is based loosely on a true story) Ted is reunited with a long-lost schoolboy friend after almost fifty years. But what do these men have in common now except memories of old haunts and the landscape which inspired them both?

Written by Aelish Michael, Dreaming of Foxes stars Robert Garrett as Ted Hughes and Ian Blower as his friend Douglas Greenwood.

It was recorded on location at Ted Hughes’ former home at the Arvon Centre in Heptonstall in West Yorkshire. It was directed by Joyce Branagh and produced by Iain Mackness.

Writer Aelish Michael says: ‘Dreaming of Foxes started out as a stage-play for the Ted Hughes Festival in Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of the late Poet Laureate in his home town. I am thrilled to see it take on a new life as a radio drama and reach a much wider audience.’

Aelish Michael wrote MIM’s drama for 5Live Don’t Cry for Me, Maradona about Bobby Robson and she also penned the critically acclaimed stage play The Demolition Man which was premiered at The Bolton Octagon.

Last year MIM won a BBC Audio Drama Award for Rock by Tim Fountain (about the Hollywood actor Rock Hudson) and the company has made critically acclaimed pieces about Oscar Wilde, computer pioneer Alan Turing, death row and the 1984-85 Miners’ strike.

MIM Creative Director and Executive Producer Ashley Byrne adds: ‘Made in Manchester makes programmes in all genres for broadcasters all around the world but we are particularly passionate about history and drama. We are delighted that the Radio 4 Extra audience is to get the chance to hear Dreaming of Foxes. It’s a really engaging piece which I think gets to the heart of the late Poet Laureate’s personality.’

Dreaming of Foxes will be broadcast at 11.15am on Friday, April 26^th on BBC Radio 4 Extra. It will be repeated at 9.15pm that night and at 4.15am on Saturday, April 27^th.

About the Actors

Actor Robert Garrett stars as Ted Hughes

Robert played Ted Hughes in the theatre version of Dreaming of Foxes. This RADA trained actor’s TV credits include Elizabeth R, Family at War, Heartbeat, Money for Nothing, Emmerdale, Brookside and Liverpool One and for radio – Brief Lives for BBC Radio 4.

Actor Ian Blower plays Douglas Greenwood

Ian is a seasoned theatre and TV actor. His television credits include parts in Juliet Bravo; Coronation Street; The Bill; Casualty; Heartbeat; Emmerdale; A and E; Back Up; All Quiet On The Preston Front; Max and Paddy, Island at War; Northern Lights Silent Witness and Doctors.

The children are played by Joe Cotton, Joseph Moorhead and Kieran Bell

About the music

The music was written by Matthew Ganley. Matthew, whose acting credits include Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, The Bradford Riots and Block, has also written music for several theatre pieces.  For further information about Matthew contact www.happystormtheatre.co.uk

For more information about writer Aelish Michael go to www.aelishmichael.com

Presenter - comedian and actor David Mitchell

Made in Manchester has produced a four part series on the history of British comedy for BBC Radio 2.

The first episode in the run, which is presented by comedian and actor David Mitchell (of Peep Show/Mitchell and Webb fame) will be broadcast next Tuesday night at 10pm – 5^th March 2013

Producer Phil Collinge says: “We’re covering a hundred years in four hours, so there’s something for everybody in there – lots of laughs and more than a little social history too. Look out for how much today’s comedy can be traced back to the days of music hall too. It’s almost like a ‘six degrees of separation’ of comedy!”

Part One of ‘Radio 2’s History of British Comedy’ goes back to before the First World War while the second part in the series looks at how comedy evolved between 1939 and the early 60s. The heyday of British TV comedy in the 60s and 70s is celebrated in Part 3 while the final episode brings things up to date by looking at how comedy has changed in more recent times.

Executive Producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says: “From Dick Emery and Tommy Cooper to Hattie Jacques, Benny Hill and the Carry Ons, Made in Manchester has a strong track record producing docs in this area. And we’re delighted to make this special series for Radio 2 having produced so many of the network’s previous comedy icon documentaries.”

At Christmas, MIM produced an hour long documentary for Radio 2 about the life and times of legendary impressionist Mike Yarwood while the company’s most recent doc for the BBC was for Radio 1 earlier this month when Annie Mac hosted Twitfalls about young people and the pitfalls of social media.

Annie Mac presents MIM doc about pitfalls of social media

The pitfalls of social media are examined in a special documentary by Made in Manchester for BBC Radio 1

Broadcast as part of the network’s Radio 1 Stories strand, Twitfalls: When Social Media Gets Nasty is presented by keen tweeter Annie Mac and airs between 9 and 10pm on Monday, 18th February.

The programme looks at a variety of instances where social media has gone wrong for young people – whether it be Paul Chambers who was arrested after jokingly tweeting he wanted to blow up Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster or soap stars who have received racist or even death threats over social networks.

MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says: “Young people from all over the UK talk about their experiences and discuss whether there is now a sort of social etiquette. The programme also looks at cyber bullying and hears staggering statistics about the amount of homophobic remarks to be found on social media every day.”

Co Producer Kevin McGrath who came up with the idea for the programme says: “It’s not all negative but the show highlights some of the ways people can land themselves in trouble.

He adds: “Hopefully the experiences shared in this programme will help people continue to have fun but stay safe of trouble or danger in what is still a new world of communication for all of us really.”

MIM co-producer Kev McGrath came up with the idea for the programme

Among those contributing to the programme is Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger, Hollyoaks actors Jasmine Franks and Ann Shafer, footballer Robbie Savage, Coronation Street’s Shobna Gulati, model Charlie Bell and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

You can hear the programme for a week after broadcast via the BBC iplayer.

Presenter John Sergeant

Made in Manchester will this week help Radio 4 mark the 40^th anniversary of the UK joining the European Economic Community (or EEC as it was more commonly known in 1973) with a special programme entitled 40 Years In Europe: How Was It For You?

MIM has recruited one-time Europe correspondent John Sergeant to host the show which takes a quirky romp through the archives and asks a variety of people to assess how the subsequent four decades has impacted on their lives.

Producer Ashley Byrne says: “It is 40 years this week since Prime Minister Edward Heath took the country into the Common Market, marking a turning point in the relationship between the British people and our continental neighbours. And this programme is about that relationship.

Taking Britain into Europe was a life-long ambition for Prime Minister Edward Heath

Ashley adds: “As well as the politics and economics we look at how our food habits changed over the years, how people upped sticks for a life on the Costa Blanca and how our new found European links impacted on other areas of popular culture.”

The programme covers everything from Eurovision through to Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel, myths around bizarre EU regulations, metrification and immigration.

“We leave the final verdict on the UK’s role in Europe to a Greek, Italian, German and Spaniard over a coffee in Bonn,” adds Ashley.

The programme is the first BBC commission for Made in Manchester in 2013 and comes just a week after the company made a special programme about legendary impressionist Mike Yarwood for BBC Radio 2. That programme was presented by Rory Bremner.

40 Years in Europe: How Was It For You? will air on BBC Radio 4 this Saturday night from 8-9pm. It will be available on the BBC iplayer for 7 days after broadcast.

Mike Yarwood: Britain's first 'top of the bill' impressionist

Made in Manchester has made a special festive tribute to the legendary impressionist Mike Yarwood.

Yarwood’s BBC and ITV shows impersonating politicians, royals and celebrities were among the most popular TV shows of the 70s and early 80s – regularly competing with the likes of Morecambe and Wise for top spot at Christmas.

Mike Yarwood: So This Is Him! will air on BBC Radio 2 from 9pm-10pm on Boxing Day and is presented by Rory Bremnar.

Rory Bremnar in full flow on the Andrew Marr Show

MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says: “It’s a great programme reminding us of the talent of our of our largely forgotten stars. Mike Yarwood’s impressions of Prime Ministers’ Edward Heath and Harold Wilson as well as Ronald Reagan, Prince Charles and Frank Spencer and many others characterised those individuals for a generation.”

Ashley adds: “The programme also includes interviews with other great impressionists including Les Dennis and Jon Culshaw. It’s a brilliant listen with plenty of memories.”

The commission for Radio 2 ends a good year for Made in Manchester which has made programmes for every BBC national network this year.

“We are entering 2013 with a good slate of commissions for the BBC and international broadcasters,” Ashley says.

Mike Yarwood: So This is Him! is produced by MIM’s comedy expert producer Phil Collinge.

It will be available on the BBC iplayer for a week after it is first broadcast.

The legendary Oscar Wilde

New aspects of Oscar Wilde’s life, work and interests are revealed in a documentary produced by Made in Manchester.

Wilde’s West Coast Collection is MIM’s latest programme for BBC Radio 3 and airs on the network this Sunday evening (November 25th 2012)  from 7.45pm-8.30pm.

Produced by MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne, the programme is presented by Wilde expert Thomas Wright and includes an exclusive interview with Wilde’s grandson and closest living relative, Merlin Holland.

Ashley Byrne says: “Wilde’s personal library was auctioned off for next to nothing following his fall from grace at the end of the late 19^th Century – and the books ended up all over the world. In this programme we go in search of those which found themselves on the West Coast of America.”

The books which are full of interesting inscription and annotations by Wilde reveal some less familiar aspects of Wilde’s life, art and character.

Among other things Thomas Wright analyses some of Wilde’s collection of the classics, finds a copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray inscribed to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas and discovers new material about his Irish nationalism and his links to big Liberal Party figures like Gladstone and Asquith. He even finds a book that belonged to Wilde’s wife, Constance.

Ashley continues: “It was fabulous to get to meet and speak to Oscar Wilde’s grandson Merlin Holland. Thomas  reveals one or two things he didn’t know along the way as well. It’s a real voyage of discovery for everyone involved.”

Ashley adds: “This year alone MIM has produced documentaries on, among other things, The Queen, sexuality, gambling, female rappers, the Paralympics, inflation and now Oscar Wilde’s books.  It’s a real eclectic mix and proves the versatility of the Made in Manchester team.”

Wilde’s West Coast Collection will be available on the BBC iplayer for seven days after broadcast. 

Standing Out in the Crowd: Practical advice from the MIM team.

Made in Manchester is holding a series of seminars in the autumn and winter showcasing how an independent production company works.

The sessions are aimed at anyone who is interested in knowing more about independent production, its relationship with broadcasters and how to work with a company like MIM

Attendees will get the chance to hear how a programme is made, how the ideas process works and what you need to do to impress and get noticed by producers at a company like Made in Manchester. There will also be advice on the financial side of freelancing.

MIM Director Ashley Byrne says: “lots of people know about the big companies out there but few know about companies like ours. Independent production is very different and presents different opportunities and challenges. This is the chance for people interested in indie production to get up close, find out how it all works and work out if it’s for them.”

Use the drop down menu above to find out more and to book for the sessions on November 27th 2012 and December 11th 2012.

Book early to claim a discount on the full price.

Marverine Cole to make her Radio 4 debut (photo: Clive Blair Photography)

Former Sky News anchor Marverine Cole will make her debut on Radio 4 next Monday when she presents a programme about female gambling.

Luck Be a Lady Tonight is the latest radio doc from independent production
company Made in Manchester and examines the increase in the number of
women gambling in the UK.

Producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says:  “Marverine hears
from women who see it as a bit of fun, from the more competitive and from
those for whom it’s got out of hand.”

“This is a personal journey for Marv who had problems with gambling
herself a few years ago,” said Ashley

Lucky Be a Lady Tonight will air on BBC Radio 4 on Monday 24th September
at 8pm.

The programme is the latest in a string of docs for Radio 4 from Made in
Manchester this year. In January the company recruited Dan Snow for ‘The
Lost World of the Suffragettes’ while in May they worked with Michael
Portillo on a programme about the Beeching railway cuts 50 years on.

Meanwhile in February this year Marverine Cole produced MIM’s Radio 1Xtra
documentary ‘Ladies With Lyrics’ about female rappers.

Ashley Byrne added: “Made in Manchester continues to demonstrate its total
versatility in programme making with doc across all BBC networks.”

Other MIM programmes this year have included Just Add Cash (about
inflation) for the World Service, The Day I Met the Queen for Radio 5Live,
Against All Odds: The Road to the Paralympics (with Vernon Kay) for Radio
1 and The Secret Life of Danny Kaye for BBC Radio 2.

Vernon Kay presents Against All Odds

Made in Manchester has recruited ITV star and Radio 1 DJ Vernon Kay to present a special Paralympics programme about injured war veterans who have swapped the frontline for the start line.

Against All Odds will air as part of the Radio 1 Stories strand this Monday evening (August 20th) between 9 and 10pm and includes interviews with several soldiers turned athletes who were seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says “Their lives were shattered overnight, but they’ve rebuilt themselves to become elite sportsmen and women who’ll be competing in the greatest show on earth in London this summer.

“Vernon finds out how they’ve adapted physically and emotionally from being non-disabled, active soldiers, to become world class Paralympians,” he says.

Among those Vernon hears from is Jon-Allan Butterworth, who had to have his lower arm amputated after he was hit by a rocket in Basra. He took up cycling and is one of Team GB’s greatest hopes for a gold medal.

Other stories include the soldier turned Paralympian who lost both his legs after stepping on an explosive device in Afghanistan and the volleyball player who nearly bled to death when razor sharp shrapnel sliced into her right leg and back.

Ashley adds: “It was a pleasure to work with Vernon because he’s passionately interested in what these men and women have achieved. What you see is what you get with Vernon and his personality really shines through in this programme.”

Against All Odds is produced by Ashley Byrne and Andy Dickman and was researched by Andrew Edwards and Liam Starkey.

The programme comes weeks after MIM produced another doc about the Paralympics for 5Live. The Path to London: A Paralympic Journey was presented by Russell Fuller and looked at how people who had been previously non-disabled had adapted to the Paralympic sport following accidents or serious illness.