Member Article

Sharp Project gives tenants edge to reach Peake

The Sharp Project, Manchester’s digital content production complex in east Manchester, is reporting another period of successful growth for its tenants.

These include a radio sound designer, a TV and film location supplier, a global video conferencing company and a creative and digital agency.

Sound designer Eloise Whitmore who initially worked out of 80 Hertz’s recording studio based inside The Sharp Project, has set up a post-production facility in her office.

She regularly works for the BBC national radio networks, including a recent Radio 4 drama starring Maxine Peake. Her sound booth can also be used for audio books and sound effects for animation or film.

She said: “The Sharp Project has a really creative vibe. I bring a lot of producers in and they think it’s a kind of media utopia. Technically it’s fantastic with high speed broadband enabling me to upload programmes to the BBC incredibly fast. I also love the support network you get from other tenants.”

Equipment suppliers for film and TV, Location One, were Campus members and have now taken a converted shipping container as well as relocating their storage facilities from Trafford Park to Oldham Road. The company, which can supply everything from make-up mirrors to lighting towers, is the only complete one-call support service for TV and film in the North West. They offer equipment, consumables and services before event, during the shoot and clear-up afterwards including recycling and have a 24 hour on-call service for short notice requests.

One Location’s clients include all major production companies such as BBC, ITV, Warner Bros, Red Productions and Tiger Aspect.

James Alexander, who has previously worked on large scale Hollywood films and TV dramas and heads up the North West office, said: “The Sharp Project is the perfect setting for us and really fitted the bill. We’ve worked with Mount Pleasant, Fresh Meat and many other productions based in the building. What makes us unique is we understand the pressures having had first-hand experience and that’s made us the market leader in the region.”

Global visual communications company, Viju, chose The Sharp Project to expand their operation in Manchester creating a solution Centre where they showcase the most advanced visual collaboration technologies including video conferencing and telepresence. John Kemp, Viju’s regional sales manager said: “The Sharp Project’s location allows businesses in the north of England to experience how visual communications and collaboration solutions can truly deliver enhanced business efficiency. We’ve had really positive feedback from customers about our new location.”

The recently rebranded multi-disciplinary creative agency The Drawing Room, formerly Vibe Republic, has been based at The Sharp Project since 2011 and has more than doubled in size in two years. Boasting high profile clients including San Carlo Group, Club La Santa and the Beetham Tower the company has collaborated with several other tenants at The Sharp Project including Invetid, Digital Next and Project Simply.

The Drawing Room’s founder, Rob Flinn said: “We’ve seen The Sharp Project evolve as we’ve evolved. I feel we’ve grown together. Our business has moved from being purely design focused to now offering a one-stop-shop for our clients.

“We see ourselves as a creative studio rather than an agency as we don’t need to out-source any work. Most projects can be handled completely in-house. We love the friendly vibe and the comfortable fun environment that The Sharp Project offers and are very happy here.”

Sue Woodward OBE, Director of The Sharp Project and Manchester’s Creative Champion said: “The Sharp Project is the perfect place for start-ups to grow and flourish. It’s wonderful to see new companies join us and become part of their journey to success.

“People talk to each other here and business is done informally over a coffee or in a corridor. It’s like an extended family and people help each other out, pass on business leads or offer advice. There is always someone in the building that has the knowhow to solve a problem. This unique environment is what makes us special and allows our tenants’ businesses to grow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .