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Ocean Academy

3-Day Summer Holiday Activity Camp

What is Ocean Academy?

Ocean Academy is a Summer Holiday Activity Camp that Sound Communities has run in 2022 and 2023. This page will be updated soon with information about the 2024 camp!

It’s is a fantastic opportunity for any young people interested in music making, podcasting and video making.

While taking part in Ocean Academy, young people were given the opportunity to record their own music track and make a video for it, learn to DJ and learn how to create their own podcast.

Ocean Academy enabled young people to work together and build like-minded friendships. They were facilitated to gain confidence with computer, music and interpersonal skills. Our trusted staff members welcomed all young people and gave them all the attention they deserved as budding DJs, podcasters and film-makers.

Watch this space for information about future dates and how you can get involved next year.

THE AGENDA

Day 1: Everything you need to know about DJing, writing and recording your own track

Create beats, learn to pen lyrics, spit raps, stay on beat, put music in a loop and record own tracks.

Learn how to use DJ software and equipment to mix favourite tracks. Source and prepare music using industry-standard software and create playlists learning about harmonic mixing on the way. Once playlists are ready, use the DJ equipment to load music and learn how to beat-match, blend and mix music together ending up with a unique DJ mix on Mixcloud to take away.

Day 2: Create your own music video

Combine creativity, teamwork and technology to create a music video to own tracks or another one of choice.

Based on personal interests, use stop motion animation techniques or pop-video lip-syncing to achieve favourite styles. This fun way to get a young people started with video production allows using different video techniques — and to start the process with a visual storyboard rather than a written screenplay. Build a storyboard, source equipment, create a shot list with basic shot coverage, record and edit music videos to create one coherent piece and upload it to YouTube.

Day 3: Everything you need to know about Podcasting

Explore the nuts and bolts of what it takes to make a podcast – from first ideas and creating memorable audio logos to scripting, recording and editing. Learn heaps of tricks of the trade and create and record golden audio nuggets!

Learn the basic skills and techniques of creating a podcast based on the classic interview/ chat podcast format including: storytelling principles – is it memorable? does it connect emotionally? – researching a subject or guest and approaching them, interview techniques, basic recording and editing principles and releasing and promoting principles (depending on age).

The afternoon is all about the editing – learn to level up technical skills and edit recordings into the polished final product ready to share on Spotify.

"There's a great community around Ocean Youth and I've made so many friends"

Previous Ocean Academy participant

"My son sometimes struggles to speak especially when he doesn't know someone but he chatters away happily on his radio show every week. It's like an outlet for him to express himself. I listen in and am always amazed!"

Ocean Youth parent

All staff hold teaching qualifications, Enhanced DBS and are First Aid trained
Sound Communities is a Torbay Council quality-assured Alternative Provision provider

Watch the video below to have a look around our site!

FAQs

When are you going to release dates for 2024?

We will announce information on Ocean Academy 2024 closer to the time but you can expect it to be held in the summer holidays!

How can I book?

In the past we have made bookings available via Eventbrite but watch this space and our social media to find out more about next year.

Where do we find you?

The course has been based at our Hyde Road Studios in Paignton in the past, this is likely to continue in 2024.

We operate a safe and secure site that is monitored at all times.

Do you provide drinks and snacks?

Yes!

What will we need to bring?

Packed lunch.

Do you offer any subsidised spaces?

It is our policy to enable all young people the opportunity to access all the activities and events that Sound Communities offers. With this in mind, any family who falls into the categories listed below may apply to us for a subsidised space on the activity. Please complete the form here. If you are entitled to a reduction and have provided the necessary evidence, we will contact you individually to confirm next steps. Thank you.