THE Mission
As audio creators, journalists, writers, and documentarians, we find ourselves in a time marred by layoffs, and skepticism toward the people who work in media. Many of us are caught in the mill of the news cycle, competing for project funding, following up on pitches and missed payments, and holding on to jobs for dear life that we enjoy but that are targeted towards making a profit.
There's not a lot of space or time to realize the random ideas that cross our minds. No time to follow through on the thought of "What if we did it THIS way?" No time or money for finding creativity in boredom and flexing and stretching those skills to see where else the craft of telling stories can take us.
That's where THE ECCO comes in. We believe that creativity and true innovation in any form of "storytelling" requires space —both literally and figuratively. But it also requires sparring buddies. People who are willing to bounce around ideas with you and challenge them. But not just any people – people you respect for their work.
Making and Taking up Space
Our ECCO retreats, workshops and events offer this space and these people, facilitating a hands-on exploration of narrative audio alongside peers, mentors and people more junior than yourself. This unique setup not only fosters creativity, but it also promotes mutual support and learning among participants, culminating in the production of (mostly) audio pieces that challenge, inspire, and captivate.
Empowering Marginalized Voices:
A cornerstone of "THE ECCO" is our dedication to uplifting and amplifying marginalized and sometimes overlooked talent. We care about representation, be it in terms of age, social class, ethnicity, gender, education, neurodivergence, and other facets of our lives. The goal is to find funding to be able to offer THE ECCO retreats to creators in the Global South and developing countries, to offer reduced fees to those who are financially struggling, and maybe even offer a residency in the future. The goal is to foster connections among like-minded people and open up a platform to bring their stories front and center. "THE ECCO" aims to enrich the narrative audio landscape with new perspectives that resonate with a global audience.
Showcasing Talent:
Following our retreats, "THE ECCO" hosts listening events that serve as a stage for local communities to experience the fruits of our participants' labor. These events are more than just a showcase; they're a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the incredible potential of audio to connect us all. Participants gain valuable exposure for their work, earning recognition within and beyond the "THE ECCO" community.
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Join Us:
"THE ECCO" is more than an initiative; it's a movement toward a more empathetic, inclusive, and innovative narrative content future. If you're ready to be part of this new wave of narrative audio makers, who want to explore the depths of audio artistry and to share their voices with the world, "THE ECCO" welcomes you.
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Who started it?
Jasmin Bauomy
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A seasoned journalist and narrative audio creator based in Berlin whose career spans continents and cultures. With a rich background in current affairs journalism, Jasmin was looking for a space that allowed for creative exploration beyond the confines of traditional media narratives. It was this wish for creative play, the opportunity to not have to make money with something, and embracing the possibility of failure, coupled with the pressures of daily life and the industry's fast pace that led her to envision "THE ECCO."
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Recognizing the need for a platform, a space, a time away from the hustle, where talents from the audio industry could come together to create, collaborate, and inspire one another, she set out to make this vision a reality.
"THE ECCO" is Jasmin's answer to the industry's call for innovation, as well as the public's frustration with journalists and media people. It serves as a sanctuary for creative minds seeking to break free from the everyday mill and craft stories that resonate on a deep, personal level rather than being bound to the news.
"THE ECCO" is part of Jasmin's commitment to offering both creators and listeners an escape into worlds crafted from sound, empathy, and imagination. It is a place where the power of audio brings us closer to the stories that make us human, stories that make us feel connected.
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Find out more about Jasmin on her website.
