Uplifting stories told by inspirational women.
By Victoria Lloyd, Producer
Audible approached Listen for a fast turnaround project celebrating International Women’s Day. 6 intimate conversations between high profile women, during a pandemic. What could be easier.
Armed with a cleanfeed subscription and a sturdy wifi connection, we were able to capture conversations between six high profile pairs of friends from glamorous LA to deepest rural Wales, about how they were feeling a year into the pandemic.
The original idea was to capture the mood as lockdown was lifted, but as production started, the UK headed into its third national lockdown, with lifting of restrictions tantalisingly close, but not yet in reach. So the tone of the conversations changed too, and rather than celebrities looking forward to getting back to work, we got a deeply relatable insight into the lives of women in lockdown across the generations. From young singletons looking for love, to the horrors of home schooling young children, and the difficulties faced by the older generation who are separated from family and friends – with Sandi Toksvig talking movingly about missing out on the first year of her newest granddaughter’s life.
It was, occasionally, a technically and logistically challenging effort. One part producing, one part courier admin as kit flew around the country. Our guests, whilst fabulous, were of varying levels of technical know-how, so talking people through setting up microphones and local recording sessions was initially daunting. As was persuading an R&B mega star out of using her Apple ear buds for the recording.
But it all came good! And the resulting six conversations – intimate, funny, revealing, playful – can be heard on Audible from 8th March. International Women’s Day. And also, coincidentally, when the kids go back to school, thank god.
