First Cut Media & Performing Arts Group is a training and production charity which has a long history of working with disadvantaged people in order to develop their expressive, creative and technical skills in television, video and drama production. Over the years, its focus has been on the communities within Moss Side, Hulme and inner city Manchester, providing media opportunities through education and film production projects.
From 1992 – 2008, First Cut worked in partnership with Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) based in the Hulme Adult Learning Centre and from 1996 – 2008, First Cut was successful in becoming one of 6 members of the Granada Media Education Partnership. First Cut established a range of training courses, primarily funded through Adult Education funding and ITV Granada:
- Video Production and Editing (OCN L3)
- Video Production and Editing (NCFE L3)
- City & Guilds Diploma in Media Techniques (L2 & L3)
- Television Studio Production
- Scriptwriting, journalism, film studies, community drama (OCN L3)
Through these courses and related projects, approximately 1,000 people have directly benefited from training at First Cut. During the period of First Cut’s membership with the Granada Media Education Partnership 500 students enrolled in video production courses alone. Many of these people have gone on to further training at local and national HE institutions, or have entered the industry directly. Others have continued to upgrade their skills through provision at the St Wilfrid’s Enterprise Centre or by working on community based media projects with First Cut.
First Cut has had a long involvement in community based drama and film. Over the last 12 years, First Cut has successfully managed over 14 productions, two of which were commissioned by Granada Television and a large number have been shown at national, regional and local film festivals.
First Cut works to raise awareness about black history and culture, for example through media work for the “Education of the Black Child” national conferences in Manchester and through issue based TV and stage productions such as: “Wen Wi Com Afa De Boat”, “Dealers Users and the Innocent”, “Tribulation”, “Sacred Ground”, “Cinders from the Dark Side”, “In a Name” and “Black Widow on the Web”.
First Cut is coordinated by Tony Reeves. We actively encourage new ideas for media and drama productions. Please contact us!
Trustees Coordinator
Mr. Ian Johns(Chair) Mr. Tony Reeves
Mr. Richard Mason (Treasurer)
Mr. Dennis Hanse (Secretary)
Mr. Terriel Clarke
Miss. Loretta Harris
Mr. Merville Walters
Mr. David Morgan
Miss. Jeanette Stanley
Mr. Dan Aris