DER23084443 – SHR6E032F~001 – Project Viability

Introduction and Proposed Project

For my project I will look to create a short documentary about the music retail industry. This is an industry which gave many of us a start up into music got us to where we are now but more recently many retailers are struggling. In the last three years we have lost both Dawson’s and PMT, two of the biggest retailers in the UK and things aren’t getting easier, especially for smaller retailers. Wether it because of the current economic climate of the UK, the rise of online retail or the constant rising costs to run a business I feel like it is important we discuss this issue and try and save our music retailers.

My goal for this project is to spread awareness into how much our music retailers are struggling. I personally have been helped a lot by my local guitar shop, wether it be trying new equipment, needing a set up or just general guitar advice, they have always helped me, so I will be collaborating with Austin Guitars to create a documentary on the struggles music retailers are currently having and the potential impact it could have on the music industry

Methodology and Rationale

I came up with this idea after attending one of Cat’s lectures and being shown an example of a documentary made by a previous student. I already knew about the struggles the music retail industry were having through the guys at Austin and reached out to Paul to see if he would be interested in being interviewed and help work on the project. (Appendix 14) I explained how I was looking to create a project on the importance of music shops and the impact losing them could have on the industry

Currently this project is still in the planning phases and we still need to discuss the topics which we would like to cover within the video. My current idea is to discuss the challenges facing the shop such as rising costs to run the business as well as the struggles of maintaining stock. As well as this I’d like to discuss the impact Austin music have had on me as a musician and talk to other musicians at the conservatoire and get their experiences at music shops and thoughts on the struggling industry

Next Steps:

Research music generally used in documentary style videos
Research Interviews from BBC and ITV
Attend the Merseyside Guitar Show to speak to other retailers and gather more primary research

In terms of music for this project I am planning on recording it with solely using instruments from Austin Guitars.

For filming, the current plan is for me to conduct the filming and editing, I am aiming to get this done in January. I need to discuss with Paul when would be best for them to conduct the interview and arrange a date. For recording equipment I am looking to rent out a Scarlett 18i20 interface from facilities as well as two cameras and a lighting rig which would allow me to get a professional quality audio and video – this is the best equipment available to me for this project. For editing I would also doing this using Final Cut Pro which is a professional standard editing software which I have on my laptop. The video itself will be filmed inside Austin Guitars and I have chose to film in January as this tends to be a quiet period after Christmas. However I am looking at the possibility of collaborating with a videographer and/or editor and have contacted a couple of people to see if they are available as they would have better knowledge and experience in filming these types of videos and could also have better equipment for us to use.

Inspirations and influences

For this project I would take inspiration from YouTube style videos as you can see in Appendix 1. These are factual type videos which aim to inform the viewer on the subject and influence their thoughts on the topic.

Appendix 1

Market Analysis

To research into this project I have researched into the current state of the Music retail industry and looked into some potential reasons it’s struggling so much. As I previously mentioned since 2022 the UK has lost two of its biggest retailers, with Gears4Music (A Primarily online business) acquiring certain assets from PMT in 2025 such as stock, branding and websites. (Gear4music, 2025) Having previously talked to Paul I know that Austin cannot stock new Fender or Gibson equipment as the company cannot guarantee a set amount of sales each month but this is just one challenge facing retailers like Austin. Shops are also facing challenges such as shrinking profit margins, competitive pricing, etc.. which I’ve included in Appendix 2.

Apendix 2

Appendix 2

Apendix 2

I am aiming this project at fellow young musicians and artists. I feel like we all have a story and a connection tied to our local music shop and by sharing this video I feel like I can inspire others to try and help a struggling industry and make them aware of how important they are to the industry

Gannt Chart/Project Plan

The definition of a Gannt chart can be seen below in Apendix 10. It helps me plan out my project and keep on track to ensure everything gets completed on time.

Cost and Budgeting

For this project, funding is available through the BFI Doc Society Shorts Fund. (Appendix 3) This would allow us to buy all necessary equipment for this project. For my theoretical budget I have used £5,000 of funding. (Apendix 4)

Appendix 4

This isn’t including all equipment and hardware I already own such as Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro and all equipment being used to write and record the music for the documentary as It wouldn’t be necessary to buy again. I have left myself £2,072.39 in headroom within the budget incase I find whilst filming this project, I could use the help of a videographer or video editor to make the project look more professional as well as any other issues which could crop up.

Contingency and Risk Assessment

As a contingency plan I have planned another project which would consist of an artist making a piece of political art in response to a song created and produced by me. I would create a piece of protest music inspired by bands such as Rage Against The Machine, Hot Milk and Manic Street Preachers, talking about topics such as the struggling NHS, the rise of the right wing and Palestine which would then be used to create a painting or piece of art to reflect the message of the music. This is a type of music I am familiar with as a lot of the music I write is political and the main challenge I will face during this project is finding an Artist who will be able to take my vision and bring it to life. I have been in contact with Leeds Arts University about a finding a potential collaborator as you can see in Apendix 5. I have also included a previous piece of work, which is about the current troubles in America as an example in Apendix 6

I also plan on attending the Merseyside Guitar Show on the 30th November where I will be able to speak to other local shops and gain some primary research into my project. Attending this opens up potential opportunities to collaborate with other local shops incase anything goes wrong with Austin, such as issues with the shop, or issues with scheduling. After attending this, I have found three more shops who are willing to work on the project including Penny Lane Music and Scan Audio meaning I will be able to get a wider depth of research for my project.

This project requires a risk assessment with us filming in the shop which can be seen below in Apendix 7

Appendix 7

Potential For Development

If I had the opportunity to develop this project further I would attempt to speak to a larger number of shops throughout the country and widen my range of research as this would show that the issues in music retail don’t just lie in Liverpool or Leeds, it is a country wide issue

I would also look to take the skills I will develop in this project and turn this into a series of investigative videos exploring the issues within the music industry as I feel like the only way the music industry can evolve is if we expose its faults and attempt to force change and the best way to do that is to educate people on the issues.

Evaluation

Overall I believe my project is viable for a number of reasons including:

I have planed out a clear project with deadlines for each detail, which needs to be completed in order for the project to be complete
I am working with someone who I have known for a long time and I know them to be reliable
It is a subject which I am passionate about which makes it easier to stay motivated
I have a viable contingency plan incase something goes wrong within the current project and things need to be changed

I have also received some feedback on my project from my classmates and tutor Mathew Calmer (Apendix 9) which shows that my project is viable and well planned out. This feedback has made me aware that it could be a challenge to balance planning the project, editing and filming it, as well as creating all the music for it so now I am actively looking for a videographer to collaborate with (Appendix 13)

I’ve included my presentation below (Appendix 11)

Bibliography

Dagan Wilkin, 2025, We CAN’T Let Local Music Shops Disappear! – Checking Out Birminghams BIGGEST, Fair Deal Music!, Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKOxQUDjst0

Samuraiguitarist, 2024, The Music Industry Is Dead (here’s how musicians survive) – Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWYvPKrUGgw

Gear4music, 2025, PMT Information, https://www.gear4music.com/information/PMT

Jennings Maddy, 2025, BBC, Music Shop Closure Brings Fear for Industry’s Future, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0vzrxe2y7o

Wood David, Unknown, Davidwood.biz, Why Music Shops Are Closing, https://www.davidwood.biz/demise-of-musical-instrument-retail/

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Focusrite, 2025, Scarlet 18I20, https://focusrite.com/products/scarlett-18i20-3rd-gen-refurbished?selectedLocale=GB&setCurrencyId=1&sku=MOSC0029DM&tw_source=google&tw_adid=776935166370&tw_campaign=23081113858&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23081113858&gbraid=0AAAAADkSndUOaF2T69F3wxECOuixWUQsi&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3tCmsL_5kAMVH5pQBh2bNAN1EAQYAiABEgLDHfD_BwE

Gear4Music, 2025, Boom Mic Stand by Gear4Music, https://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Boom-Mic-Stand-by-Gear4music/3GV?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22258054978&gbraid=0AAAAAD_kjLSpItLKE22n3vGXJKoY8TmuI&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxfKG68D5kAMVlJxQBh1b6yCFEAQYBSABEgKJU_D_BwE

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AMP, 2025, AMP.org.uk, What Is a Gannt Chart?, https://www.apm.org.uk/resources/find-a-resource/gantt-chart/