‘Like You’ - Production Fundraiser
Six people, five stories, one truck. Follow the lives inspired by real people as they experience the world of modern slavery.
We are three young creatives, Amelia, Bekah, and Sophie, in our final year of studying our BA(Hons) in Acting for Stage and Media. As a part of our dissertation project, we created the production company ‘Footdown Productions’ and wrote our first original script, ‘Like You’. Initially written as a theatre script, however, due to the 2020/21 pandemic and the many different lockdowns, we had to transfer to creating a short abstract film. This was then filmed in remote locations in the homes of our actors across the UK. We have been extremely proud of the success of our film so far! With over 500 views on YouTube since our original live launch and having already been featured in the National Student Pride 2021 digital festival, we have been blown away by the public response.
Moving forward we are excited to share that we have been confirmed to participate in both Camden Fringe festival and Guilford Fringe festival performing the live Theatre version of our script over the summer of 2021 alongside the rest of our cast including three other members of our degree: Liana-Maria, Ethan and Rita!
‘The UN estimates that there are 40.3 million people currently trapped in modern slavery globally.’ (HopeforJustice.org, 2020)
This production is exploring the struggles of everyday people, Like You, who have ended up in a situation where they have been taken advantage of and it has resulted in them being trafficked. We have pulled on real-life events and have been inspired by genuine individual experiences. The audience will watch as the victims express the blame they put upon themselves as they share the horrors they have faced with one another. The subject matter of human trafficking is one that has recently blown up into the forefront of the world's media headlines. It has received a lot of coverage across mainstream media, such as documentaries, films, and news articles. However, this does not seem to have transferred much into the world of Theatre.
With our research, we have managed to identify types of trafficking that aren’t as commonly talked about such as, within the porn industry, male drug labour, and people being trafficked from what would be seen as a ‘Non-poverty’ country. Our project will be set in Great Britain, which is seen as a high-income country and focuses on the lives of those who are all over the age of 18.
From the money that has been raised so far, we have spent £500 on creating the short abstract film. We have then spent £113 on entering this in to film festival across the UK and America. Looking forward to our theatre tour, we have already spent £320 on entering the previously mentioned fringe festivals. We are currently awaiting confirmation on two further fringe festivals, both of which will also have entry fees to pay. Naturally, there are all of the usual costs that it takes to put on a production such as; set, costume, props, and makeup. And of course, a huge expenditure we need to factor in is travel and accommodation for all six of us actors and any technicians required.
We would like to say thank you in advance for all the support that is being given, if you have any questions regarding our production or any information regarding potential sponsors we encourage you to get in contact with us. We would hugely appreciate it If you could share our GoFundMe with as many people as possible! We are already putting in the hard work and can’t wait for you to see the results.
Thank you, Amelia, Bekah, and Sophie
