Welcome to Shoot Your Mouth Off - Putting Disabled People In The Picture
Shoot Your Mouth Off (SYMO) is a production company specialising in high-quality work with disabled people. SYMO produces a vast range of work including dramas, documentaries, comedies, music videos, resource materials and much more. We have won numerous awards for our work and our films have been screened at festivals around the world. SYMO is a social enterprise and exists to provide an enjoyable, rewarding and meaningful use of time to those often excluded from traditional training and employment opportunities. We aim to raise the visibility of disabled people in the media, portraying them as they are, bona fide members of society, with hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares, choices and rights.
Services
Group Work
SYMO currently has two groups running on Mondays and Fridays. At our custom-built studios, Kindling film and Theatre in Hartlepool, adults with learning difficulties meet every week to take part in a wide range of activities which contribute to the astonishing body of work which has been produced every year since Kindling opened in 2007. Members use their Individual Budgets to purchase our service, which includes transport to and from the venue.
Video Production
SYMO has a long track record of producing high-quality resource DVDs for an extensive range of clients, including the Department of Health, the University of Teesside, Sunderland City Council, Cleveland Fire Service and many more. We have a wealth of experience in producing accessible information, training resources, documentaries and dramas with organisations and groups across the North East.
The Team
Karen Sheader
Karen was the founder of Shoot Your Mouth Off back in 2001. A disabled writer, performer, activist and actor, Karen is the first point of contact for people wishing to join one of SYMO’s groups. She helps group members compose poetry and songs and it’s her job to make sure the taxis turn up on time!
Derek Mathews
Derek is SYMO’s principal camera operator, but his talents don’t end there. A skilled and imaginative musician, Del composes sound tracks to all our films, including music and sound effects. He is also responsible for producing the work of our rap band, The Hip-hoppers, as well as devising the funky videos that accompany them. His skills are in great demand by our group members, one of whom has christened him ‘The Rap Master’.
Steve Carolan
Steve is our chief scriptwriter, working with the groups to devise such ground-breaking ideas as Hope Springs, our internet-based soap set in a fictional drama group. Steve is a whizz at turning ideas into interesting, terrifying or hilarious stories, ace at problem-solving on set and off, and responsible for a number of highly original films including Stranger Hero, featuring the world’s first action hero with Down’s Syndrome.
Our Friends & Partners
