A group of teenagers from Colchester, including a young Ukrainian refugee, won the right to work as crew members on multi award winning film Director, DB Morgan's, latest creative venture.

VIEW PROJECT HERE

Young adults from The Tuskar Trust charity, together with children from Thomas Lord Audley school, Inclusion Ventures of Jaywick and a very special young guest from war torn Ukraine spent two days working alongside professional cast and crew to create a tub thumping music video for the band Forest of Fools. The music track, 'Shadow Bacca', from the band's album, 'Forsooth', features a highly energetic blend of traditional shanty folk music and powerful drum and bass. 

Filmed on a historic barge in St Osyth, the highly ambitious, and rather gory, music video has high expectations for international awards and placement on music TV channels and beyond.

Funded by Essex County Council's Arts & Cultural Fund, this is possibly DB Morgan's most ambitious project to date, due to limited time and the level of special effects: requiring the transformation of the entire cast into zombies on day two.

The 'Fool's gold' music video project has been an inspirational experience for everyone involved, none more so than the six lucky teenage participants.

READ THEIR FEEDBACK HERE

WATCH THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES mini-Doc

!!! WORLD PREMIERE SCREENING !!!

The 'Fools Gold' music video will be showcased on the big screen at the WORLD PREMIERE of DB Morgan's Morris Men movie at the historic Princes Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea on October 29th.

This fantastic cinematic event features live performances, procession led red carpet entry and a VIP after party / meet and greet with the stars. DB Morgan has chosen to celebrate the movie in the region it was filmed, rather than taking the premiere back to London as most production companies tend to. Clacton-on-Sea is a vibrant seaside town and the excitement surrounding this event is growing daily. Morris Men features many local landmarks and even includes an explosive fight sequence all over Walton Pier.

Tickets are limited but available via:

EVENTBRITE BOX OFFICE HERE.

Executive Producer and founder of the 'Underdog Crew', DB Morgan explains:

"As a consummate Underdog myself I love bringing young adults on set and watch them grow in confidence throughout their time with us. From being embroiled in such a positive environment, bustling with creative energy, these kids always come away buzzing from the experience with renewed vigour.

This is probably my most important project to date as I've handed over the Directorial reins to founding underdog member, Joseph Allison. Joe has been with us from the first feature film in 2010 and shown true dedication to his desire to progress in the industry despite a multitude of life hurdles. I've watched him grow from a quiet outsider into a confident and multi talented filmmaker. This is what the Underdog Crew is all about. Recognising and rewarding creative positivity. Joe now has the privilege of mentoring the new school of 2022 and beyond." 

Joseph Allison has a disease called 'Ankylosing Spondylitis' which is an inflammatory arthritis. During university he suffered from a severe flare up which affected his eyes, causing him to lose sight in one eye. This resulted in a mental breakdown and multiple mental health issues that severely affected his quality of life and wellbeing.

"I felt lost and alone. It was around this time that I discovered DB Morgan and his underdog crew, we worked on a film called faith which has gone onto win many awards all around the world. During my time on 'Faith' (AKA Blood Highway) I explored my skill set and different roles on set. One of my favourite memories is being in an upside down car, applying fake blood to the actors, it reminded me of the T-Rex scene in Jurassic Park and it was magical because it felt like I was on a Hollywood set and that I had finally made it. The underdog crew has been a fantastic experience because it takes people of all backgrounds and abilities, nurtures their skills and at the end of it you have new friends, a new potential career path and a film to be proud of. As an underdog crew film maker, DB Morgan took me on knowing nothing about me or what I was capable of but gave me a chance when I felt my most broken. Since then we have gone onto make three feature films together and I’ve made some fantastic friends and connections along the way. The film industry felt like it was impossible to get into before the underdog crew, but your dreams of working in the film industry really are just one step away.” JOSEPH ALLISON (27)

Joe describes his Directorial debut:

"I want to thank DB Morgan and the 'Underdog Crew' for allowing me to direct my first music video, something I have always wanted to do. If it wasn’t for the underdog crew I wouldn’t be where I am now! The experience of directing my first music video has been amazing and filled me with more confidence, knowing I can do it and to have greater belief in myself. Something I hope I can pass on to the next generation of underdog crew coming through and starting their careers. It is an exciting time, I look forward to being able to help nurture their talents and creativity in the same was I was helped.

I want to say how proud I am of all the underdog crew who helped out on “Fools Gold”. Your dedication, positive attitudes and fantastic work did not go unnoticed. You were all incredible. I hope you all had as much fun as I did. Everything looks fantastic and I can’t wait to show you all what you created! I look forward to working with you again soon." 

DB Morgan's 'Underdog Crew' concept was born back in 2009 when producing his first short film, Hard Sell, starring Craig Fairbrass and Karl Holman. Several of his children had a keen interest in getting involved, together with one or two of their friends. And things evolved from there.

The Underdog crew now works with several charitable organisations in Essex, Tendring and Suffolk to provide marginalised young adults who are deemed most suitable to the individual projects the gateway to educational opportunities. Interns also come from Colchester Institute to work alongside professional crew members of all of DB's feature films and creative projects. 

DB Morgan: the 'Underdog'

Two years of hell at a notorious Essex boarding school led to DB Morgan's younger life being consumed with drug abuse... leading to being an ex drug user and mental health survivor, left with bouts of crippling anxiety that restrict his life in many ways. After losing his 12-year old daughter, Jodi, to aplastic anaemia in 2010 DB has also been left with PTSD.

DB explains: "I chose to rise above my limitations and face my demons one by one, determined to fulfil my ambitions of becoming successful in the film industry. As of today I have written, produced and directed three feature films and won over thirty awards on the worldwide festival circuit. As a creative I have learned that everyone has a story to tell and the richer a life’s tapestry, the deeper the story. I love working with ‘outsiders’ as a true underdog myself and thrive on proving people wrong when it comes to underestimating, prejudging or prejudicing against marginalised people, or anyone with mental health issues. I am passionate about growing my ‘underdog crew’ ethos into a recognised UK movement and allowing all comers to shine under the brilliance of their own light."

JOIN OUR JOURNEY

If you would like to support the 'Underdog Crew', become a patron, put forward suitable interns or offer any logistical or PR support please contact DB Morgan directly at db@megalodonstudios.co.uk.

#Underdogcrew  #AllEqual  #NoBarriers