Ben Horrigan runs Studio 91 Media, the Manchester-based social video production agency driven by purpose and impact.
Studio 91 Media was founded in 2018 and is based on the manifesto of being good for people, good for platforms and good for the planet. This includes donating 1% of turnover to environmental causes, travelling as sustainably as possible, and aiming to make content which is “true, right and excellent”.
Ben himself has experience producing a wide range of digital content over the last decade, working on programmes including BBC News and Blue Peter, and works at Studio 91 alongside the rest of his small team as well as a range of freelance creatives.
We found out how a week in his life looked.
Monday
The week starts with a cup of coffee and a few emails, then I’m off to film with a charity client at the glorious Manchester Cathedral.
Sometimes there’s a full crew, but this one’s just me. One man, operating two cameras, and – here’s the fun bit – I do the whole trip by pedal power. I load all our camera kit onto our e-cargo trike at my house in Cheadle Hulme, and off I go. Tiring shoot, I’m on my feet a lot – so a quick Snickers before cycling home is essential.
Once I’m home, I back up the footage, put the batteries on charge, and put my feet up.
Tuesday
An office day in central Manchester, starting with a belated ‘Monday catch-up’ with my team. I say ‘team’, but that’s a stretch; there’s only two of us full-time at the moment.
Jamie and I spend 10 minutes chatting about the week ahead, and 50 minutes talking about what’s going on in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
More meetings are lined up today – one about an ongoing edit, one with a prospective new client, and one with a bee charity we’re supporting pro bono through 1% for the Planet. All three, sadly, through the medium of Zoom. Days since last accidental mute: Zero.
