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Radio series with Rodney Appleyard: film guru and host of Colne radio’s 'Saturday night at the movies' podcast. Discussing the current state of British independent film with 'DB' Morgan, associated actors and members of the Underdog crew.
Radio series with Rodney Appleyard: film guru and host of Colne radio’s 'Saturday night at the movies' podcast. Discussing the current state of British independent film with 'DB' Morgan, associated actors and members of the Underdog crew.
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​An eight-month professional filmmaking and youth empowerment internship giving up to 30 marginalised, at-risk and SEN young people (13 to 18) the rarest of opportunities to become an integral part of a real world feature film production. From development through to public screening at a major Colchester City venue, through to festival submission and release, participants will work alongside professional multi award-winning filmmakers and industry specialists in real production roles to create the genre movie, 'Prepper'.
Across writing, performance, camera, sound, lighting, production and set design, SFX make-up, editing, marketing and post-production, participants will learn every aspect of producing an independent British feature film.
an original theatrical production by
'DB' Morgan and The Underdog Crew
Rise of the Prepper Movement!
When National Geographic launched Doomsday Preppers in 2011 they had no idea it would go on to become their most popular show in history. Doomsday Preppers follows the lives of ordinary Americans who believe that a major catastrophe will end modern life. These individuals stockpile food, water, and weapons in an attempt to survive a devastating disaster. This ‘first of its kind’ program explores the ever-growing fears of a populace concerned with everything from pandemics to a polar shift.
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A UNIQUE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
'Project:FEAR' is an eight-month professional filmmaking and youth empowerment project giving up to 30 young people the rare opportunity to immerse their creativity in the entire process of creating and original survival thriller feature film from development through to public screening and festival submission.
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Participants will work alongside professional filmmakers and industry specialists in real production roles across writing, performance, camera, sound, lighting, production design, SFX make-up, editing, marketing and post-production. This is not a classroom simulation. It is a supported production environment where young people can gain practical experience, screen credits, portfolio evidence, employability skills and visible proof of achievement.
The project is designed so there is a place for everyone. You do not need to be an actor. Some participants may discover their strength behind a camera, in sound, make-up, set building, editing, directing or production organisation.
The finished film matters. The journey changes lives.
BECOME PART OF THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
For parents, 'PROJECT:FEAR' is far more than a filmmaking club. It is an eight-month confidence-building, skills-based journey where your child works alongside experienced filmmakers, guest acting tutors, SFX practitioners and stunt specialists to discover what they are capable of working alongside a professional film crew. They will learn real production skills, take on genuine responsibilities, build communication and teamwork, create portfolio evidence and gain the pride of contributing to a finished feature film. For young people who may feel overlooked, anxious, neurodiverse or unsure where they fit, 'PROJECT:FEAR' offers something powerful: a role, a purpose, a team and the chance to be taken seriously. They do not need previous experience or confidence to begin. They just need the opportunity the Underdog Crew Studios offers marginalised and neuro diverse young people. We provide the trust, the tools and the belief - then watch them grow.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS LEARN
Across the project, participants will experience the complete filmmaking process, beginning with story development and progressing through production to a finished screen project.
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You will learn screenwriting, story structure, acting, rehearsal and directing; camera operation, lighting, sound recording and continuity; production design, set dressing, props and costume distressing; editing, sound design, poster and trailer creation and festival preparation.
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There will also be specialist practical effects and screen make-up training, including prosthetic wounds, infection effects, ageing, costume distressing, continuity and testing make-up under professional lighting and camera lenses.
Alongside the technical skills, participants will develop the qualities every professional production depends on: confidence, communication, teamwork, responsibility, resilience, problem-solving and the ability to be relied upon by others.
By the end, you will not simply have watched how a film is made. You will have helped make one.
PARTICIPATION COSTS and BENEFITS
A FULL 8-MONTH INTERNSHIP - £125 per month (or £900 up front. - saving 10%)
INDIVIDUAL DROP IN SESSIONS @ £40 per 4-hour session. STRICTLY ages 12 to 18. SEN welcome.
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FULL COURSE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES: MONTHLY 4x 4-hour Saturday workshops, progressing to 6 full shooting days with food, drinks and snacks. Guest expert 'Zed talks'. Specialist industry workshops. Colchester city premiere RED CARPET screening. Named credit on all film marketing and project IMDB listing. Includes UCS competency certificate and personal reference for career progression.
A selection of our awards, accolades & nominations for 'DB' Morgan and the Underdog crew's productions.
Q: Why is it always bloody horror with you 'DB' Morgan?
A: Because when our sfx team has spent half a day building an exploding head and then we pop it live on set.... That's why!
PRACTICAL THEATRICAL SFX IS AN INCREDIBLE ART FORM THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING CHAMPIONED OVER CGI MORE AND MORE FOR AUTHENTICITY. IS SOOO COOL AND THE KIDS LOVE IT! PROJECT:FEAR WILL HAVE LOADS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO DELVE INTO THIS FASCINATING SPECIALIST ARENA.
(PROFESSIONAL SFX ARTISTS TYPICALLY EARN BETWEEN £300 AND £750 PER DAY)
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IMMERSIVE & ENGAGING FILMMAKING PROJECTS ARE OUR VEHICLE. MENTORSHIP, EDUCATION, GROWTH AND EMPOWERMENT IS OUR DESTINATION.
OUR 2026 'WOODY'S WORLD PRODUCTION. Starring actor Mike Fielding (Naboo from The Mighty Boosh)
#prepper #survivalist #homesteader #offgrid #bushcraft #SHTF
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Just these six keywords alone lead down an online global rabbit hole of many millions of avid supporters, hobbyists, groups, publications, websites, blogs, vlogs, movements, clubs, festivals, brands, activists and individuals ranging from casual homesteaders to hardcore tin hat doom mongers!
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In fact, within a modern world of fragility and every newsroom declaring daily disasters and impending doom the growth of the prepper movement has grown tenfold in the past few years alone. And with it, a multi billion dollar worldwide industry continues to flourish.