Banter Media is a British New Media House based in Manchester. They deal with music recording, web design, Filmmaking, graphic design and photography with leading UK companies such as Umbro, Converse, Takedown MMA and Motovudu The company is divided into three sectors – Banter Media, Banter Records and AG Studios.
History
The company was formed by Liam Andrew Wright after leaving Petela Wright Films in 2009. Wright spent most of 2008–2009 working with Producer Aleksis Williams before moving on to starting a new venture officially as Banter Media. After Petela Wright Films, Wright retained the rights to films such as Ex Cathedra – a British drama film written and directed by Liam Andrew Wright. It was Wright's directorial debut. The film's narrative centres on an original story combining religion, drugs, love and hope. It was an independently financed film, funded entirely by the films young producers and followed the model set by 2004 film Primer. Banter started work with 4Q Magazine on Converse Fresh Meat events and Converse Music promo videos before moving on to work with Umbro Industries on Streets Above and artists such as F.O.A.K. In January 2010 Banter Media took on AG Studios to take over the graphic design within the company until 2012 when AG Studios evolved into Huntingtown Design House. In August 2010 Banter Media opened Banter Music in Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester. A recording studio and indie record label along with Hidden Stars Records, a sub-label, for release of local acts such as The Haglems – Green & Gold. In June 2012 Banter Media began Banter Zine – an alternative music magazine interviewing bands from all over the world. Artists such as Four year strong, Tom Delonge, Lights and Simple Plan have all been featured in the magazine since its inception. In January 2012 they moved to a new fully equipped studio in Manchester named Hop Pole Studios, a converted Public House with on-site Recording Studio, Photography Studio and editing facilities. Banter Media work closely with major companies in the UK. From working with Converse Music to their latest project, Takedown MMA, for which they are currently the co-promoter. Takedown MMA is the largest UK Amateur MMA promotion. Their connection with Umbro Industries and the Streets Above project seems to their most popular production at present. Banter are working in conjunction with Apex Parkour to create a new UK drama series. Streets Above is billed as the UK's first true Multimedia Adventure; released as both a HD-drama series, motion comic, blog-series, docu-drama, gig nights and a mobile website; the series follows a group of free-runners who choose not to follow the path well travelled. Instead, they take to the rooftops of the North West to get away from the woes of teenage life. The series follows the group as they fight through the daily trails of being young but whilst being blessed with the freedom to escape above it all to the streets they create above the town they are confined to. Supported by Umbro Industries, partly due to the popularity it received on their site in early 2010, the series is to be released early 2011.
Banter began working with Motovudu and Simon Crafar in 2011 on Dark Art of Performance providing film, graphics, music, sound and illustration for the project. Since, they have worked in conjunction with Suzuki on the 'Limit Is Yours' viral campaign for the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 which has caused some controversy but has had a lot of success online.
A new addition to the Banter Music, Banter Music is a pop-punk label based in Manchester. It has a fully equipped recording studio based in Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester. It is also independent record label. The Sub-label, Hidden Stars Records, released Green & Gold by the Haglems in 2010 in association with Manchester United Supporters Trust. Their latest music video for UK Hip-hop act F.O.A.K has also been supported by the Manchester United Supporters Trust with money from the single's UK released being donated to the organisation. Banter Media produced the video for the act and it was directed by Liam Andrew Wright.
