Join the safe + sound school from January – March 2027!
Are you someone in the audio world looking to challenge yourself creatively? Are you a drag artist / musician / filmmaker / writer – looking to learn how to tell stories in sound? Have you just started out in audio, and you’re looking for a space to play and grow?
Then this course is for you!
safe + sound school is a 12 week online course on 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 telling short stories in sound. By the end of the course, you will have made a 3-7 minute audio piece on the theme of SURPRISE which will be published by safe + sound!
Listen to last cohort’s pieces – on the theme of MOVEMENT – here ❤
By the end of the course, you will:
– Make a 3-7 minute audio piece on the theme of SURPRISE which will be published by safe + sound
– Know how to turn the grain of an idea into an audio story
– 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 to be effective and thoughtful in editing
– 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 course mates
– Be inspired and motivated to continue your creative audio practice
– Have an online showcase and a London-based in person safe + sound graduation event to celebrate your work!
– Have so, so much FUN
Secure your space now!
Email safesoundshow [at] gmail [dot] com with ‘safe + sound school’ in your subject line ❤
- £525 full price
- £375 concession
- PWYCA slots available (email for more info)
DATES / TIMES / LENGTH:
Monday 11th January – Monday 29th March 2026
6.30pm – 8.30pm GMT – online through Zoom
Monday 29th March 2027 – Online showcase
Tuesday 13th April 2027 – London UK graduation event & fundraiser @ New River Studios
Full course breakdown below
This course is suitable for anyone looking for a space to play and grow creatively using sound. That could be:
- Experienced audio producers looking for space to experiment with more abstract, creative work
- People from other creative mediums (drag artists / writers / musicians / filmmakers / sound artists etc) looking to try a different audio storytelling avenue
- Audio producers who are earlier on in their careers looking for a space to play and grow
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.
Email safesoundshow [at] gmail [dot] com with ‘safe + sound school’ in your subject line if you have questions about eligability!
Secure your space now!
Email safesoundshow [at] gmail [dot] com with ‘safe + sound school’ in your subject line ❤
- £525 full price
- £375 concession
- PWYCA slots available (email for more info)
WHO
Jesse Lawson is a multi award winning audio artist, sound designer and community facilitator. His work explores the relationship between storytelling and truth making.
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. 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:
creative short form audio – a selection of pieces under 15 minutes
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
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
£525 full price // £375 concession // PWYCA slots available
Full Course Breakdown:
Monday 11th Janury
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- How do you tell stories in sound?
Monday 18th January
- 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 25th January
- Online Session 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- 1 hr Guest listening session & Q+A with Arlie Adlington
- 1 hr peer to peer support session
Monday 1st February
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Creative approaches to interviewing
Monday 8th February
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Interviewing with Integrity
- This week or next week, participants record their interviews
Monday 15th February
- 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 22nd February
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Cutting Tape: Hands on workshop
- Editing week 1
Monday 1st March
- Online workshop 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Creative approaches to editing
- Editing week 2
Monday 8th March
- 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 15th March
- 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 22nd March
- 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
Monday 29th March
- Online Showcase! 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Final session and showcase listening party!
— 2 weeks break —
Tuesday 13th April
- London UK Showcase! safe + sound @ New River Studios – Graduation event & fundraiser ❤
