Join the safe + sound school from October 2026 – January 2026!
Are you an early career audio producer? Someone working in audio looking to do something more creatively challenging? Someone with basic editing knowledge from a different craft – a drag artist / musician / filmmaker / writer – looking to learn how to tell creative stories in sound?
Then this course is for you!
the safe + sound school is a 12 week online course in producing creative short form audio, run by safe + sound’s Jesse Lawson. Over 12 weeks, through online workshops, 1-1 mentoring sessions, special guest Q&As and peer support spaces, you’ll learn all aspects of producing creative short form audio. By the end of the course, you will have made a 3-7 minute audio piece on the theme of MEMORY which will be published by safe + sound!
By the end of the course, you will:
– Know how to turn the grain of an idea into a full piece
– Learn how to communicate meaning through short form work
– Experiment with new storytelling structures and formats
– Develop innovative interviewing techniques
– Reflect on ethics, power and responsibility in audio making
– Learn effective and thoughtful editing techniques
– Explore playful approaches to sound design
– Have 1-1 mentoring and feedback from Jesse
– Have met, listened to the work of, and had a dedicated Q&A with 3 industry-leading creative audio artists
– Have many opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and support from your coursemates
– Make a 3-7 minute audio piece on the theme of MEMORY which will be published by safe + sound
– Be inspired and motivated to continue your creative audio practice
– Have an online showcase and in person London safe + sound graduation event to celebrate your work!
– Have so, so much FUN
WHEN
Course runs:
Monday 12th October – Monday 21st December 2026
Monday 11th January 2027 – Online showcase
Monday 14th January 2027 – London UK graduation event & fundraiser @ New River Studios
6.30pm – 8.30pm London Time
Full course breakdown below
This course is suitable for:
- Audio producers who are earlier on in their careers
- More experienced audio producers looking for space to experiment with more abstract, creative work
- People from other creative mediums (drag artists / musicians / filmmakers / sound artists / writers etc) with some knowledge of audio editing, looking to try a different audio storytelling avenue
A minimum basic working knowledge of audio editing is required for the course. Here are some Reaper tutorials for beginners interested in joining, though any DAW is suitable.
As this is a practical course that includes making a short feature in 12 weeks, you will be doing some making outside of class time! It will be a rough average of 2 hours a week.
Secure your space now! Email safesoundshow [at] gmail [dot] com
£500 full price // £360 concession // PWYCA slots available
WHO
Jesse Lawson is a multi award winning audio artist, sound designer and community facilitator. His work explores the relationship between storytelling and truth.
Jesse has a socially engaged audio practice. His performance style blends audio storytelling, drag and audience interaction to provide tools for audiences to critically engage with the world. His audio collective – safe + sound – creates site specific immersive sound installations. Jesse is also a youth worker, and has developed new frameworks for co-production with adults and young people. He runs trainings for journalists and audio artists.
Jesse has worked as a radio documentary producer and sound designer for platforms like BBC World Service, Serpentine Galleries, Somerset House, BBC Radio 4, VICE UK and The Empathy Museum. He is passionate about building meaning, emotion and a sense of connectedness through sound.
Selected Projects:
No Kids – a 45 minute interactive live performance about the queer art of world building
The Strange Magical Mythical Tour of Kilfinane – a co-produced alternative audio history tour of Kilfinane with Scoil Fionan‘s sixth class
creative short form audio – a selection of pieces under 15 minutes
Jesse has over 10 years experience of creative facilitation. Previous course participants have said:
‘Jesse is a fantastic course leader. Sharp as a pin, thoughtful and excellent at communicating his skill set.’
‘It was REALLY fun!’
‘Jesse is a fantastic facilitator and the engagement from him is just so fabulous. The 1-1 was also super useful – it felt really generous.’
safe + sound is an audio collective formed by Jesse Lawson and Kit Callin. They run sonic open mic nights, lead workshops on audio making, and install immersive sound experiences at festivals.
Secure your space now! Email safesoundshow [at] gmail [dot] com
£500 full price // £360 concession // PWYCA slots available
Full Course Breakdown:
Monday 12th October
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- How do you tell stories in sound?
Monday 19th October
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Idea Development and playing with structure
- Matching a format with a story
- 20th – 23rd – Ideas development week (30 minute 1-1 w/ Jesse)
Monday 26th October
- Online Session 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- 1 hr Guest listening session & Q+A with Arlie Adlington
- 1 hr peer to peer support session
Monday 2nd November
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Creative approaches to interviewing
Monday 9th November
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Interviewing with Integrity
- This week or next week, participants record their interviews
Monday 16th November
- Online Session 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- 1 hr Guest listening session & Q+A with Tej Adeleye
- 1 hr peer to peer support session
- This week or the week before, participants record their interviews
Monday 23rd November
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Cutting Tape: Hands on workshop
- Editing week 1
Monday 30th November
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Creative approaches to editing
- Editing week 2
Monday 7th December
- Online Session 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- 1 hr Guest listening session & Q+A with Nicole Kelly
- 1 hr peer to peer support session
- Editing week 3
- Option for 30 mins 1-1 feedback on edit from Jesse
Monday 14th December
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Making People Feel Things: Sound Design
- Group feedback session
- Sound Design Week 1
- Option for 30 mins 1-1 feedback on edit from Jesse
Monday 21st December
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Sound design 2: Manipulating Sound
- Sound Design Week 2
- Option for 30 mins 1-1 feedback on edit from Jesse
— 3 weeks break to finish piece & ring in the new year —
Monday 11th January
- Online Showcase! 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Final session and showcase listening party!
Thursday 14th January
- London UK Showcase! safe + sound @ New River Studios – Graduation event & fundraiser ❤
JESSE LAWSON 