A COLCHESTER filmmaking studio which supports marginalised young adults will soon be visiting Hollywood specialists thanks to a £10,000 grant.
Underdog Crew was awarded the money for a new minibus from the National Lottery Community Fund, which will help the group transport its members around the country to learn from different industry experts.
The minibus was recently unveiled at Tesco Highwoods, presented to a crowd of about 80 onlookers.
The event, organised by DB Morgan who heads the Underdog Crew, was filled with a display of parkour stunts pulled off by award-winning gymnasts from Team Kinetix.
Mr Morgan said: "We wanted to create a special event to thank the city for its amazing support as we continue to expand on our creative ventures with local youths.
"The minibus will open up many more opportunities to take our young people to exciting locations anywhere in the country now, including studios in London, so they can learn new filmmaking skills from the best in the industry.
"It will also enable us to take them on valuable therapeutic respite sessions, such as fishing by a lake run by an excellent CIC called iCarp, which specialises in providing therapy for soldiers suffering from PTSD."
Collaborating with Urban Xtreme, the minibus will ensure youngsters can take part in sports activities designed to help them express their emotions through controlled physical exertion.
It will also lend a hand in the production of new TV series, The Slip.
Mr Morgan added: "We are extremely privileged to be able to film The Slip TV series in my home town.
"To be able to shine a creative light on one of Britain’s newest city and highlight some amazing locations like the Hythe Docks, our iconic town centre and many other fantastic visual locations is a dream come true.
“We are thrilled we have some amazing local supporters, like the Trustees from Anglian Community Trust, who cut the ribbon for the bus, and who’s funding has facilitated our headline project to produce Colchester city’s very first teen drama series.
"They recently awarded us another £9,000 to produce the next two episodes, to complete the first series."
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