I’m Adam, a film maker for the BBC. I’m making a short film (around 3-5 minutes) for the BBC News website and social media about the UK survivalist/prepper scene.
The Aim
I’m on a few forums and naturally I’ve encountered a lot of distrust due to the sensationalist ‘doomday’ films out there that tend to make preppers looks like nut jobs. I will be making a film that cuts out the sensationalism and highlights the issues that can be expected when you completely rely on help, and haven’t made the simplest preparations to get by when the SHTF (to coin a phrase I’ve picked up). It’s not about bunkers and nut jobs, it’s about being able to keep yourself and your family alive when any one of the many scenarios highlighted in the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies rears its ugly head. Prepping, at a basic level at least, is very wise and should be something everyone does. I want viewers to come away with something to think about, not something to joke about.
About Me
I’m a one man band – producing, filming and editing my own films. It’s a bit of a dream job… I get to pick a subject that interests me and make a film about it.
When I’m not making films I train with the Army Reserve (my prepper path, if you like). I’ve been with the Army now for coming on five years. My training has given me a real appreciation of how simple preparations can help prevent unnecessary hardship. It’s that message that I want to get across in this film.
Money
I’m afraid there isn’t any. BBC News isn’t a commercial venture. I wish I had a pot of cash to spend on some of the legends that I’ve worked with over the years, like this chap who hid shagging dogs on biscuit tins: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-englan ... s-revealed.
I'm on the staff here at the Beeb, making lots of films all the time. The only thing I get out of this film is the pleasure of cutting through the sensationalist chaff and working on a subject that interests me.
What I’m after…
Your story. I want to film a few people (ideally) who can show me how they are preparing to live through any level of emergency, from heavy snow to a serious accident at AWE or fuel strikes etc. I want you to tell your story in your words. It's my thing... far too many films are told by film makers rather than the people that are in them.
Ideally I’m after people located in the South, Berkshire being the absolute ideal, but I can spread my wings. This is simply because I’m a part of ‘BBC South’ and it’s easier to get things commissioned in my own patch – but not impossible to venture outside.
Filming would likely only take two or three hours.
My promise
I am that confident that I’ll make the film that you’d want to see that I am happy to not publish it without the contributors approval of the final edit. I have to get you to sign a disclosure agreement that allows me to publish - usually done during filming. Instead of getting you to sign the disclosure at the start, I'll come back to you with the edit and get your signature once you’re approved of it.
I will make all necessary effort to protect any sensitive details such as location or, if absolutely required, identity. Obviously it's a more engaging film if I don't have to blur out your face!
*****
If you’re interested in having a conversation about being a part of this, or have any ideas that you’d like to share to help shape it (already received some fantastic suggestions on other parts of this forum), please do reply here or get in touch at adam.paylor@bbc.co.uk.
Thanks for your time and thanks again for having me on your forum.
Worth noting: I’ve had a lot of BBC Bias / Brexit / anti-journalist posts on other forums. There’s not a lot I can say in response to those… I’m a good egg in a big corporation looking to make an informative film on a subject that I believe warrants some consideration. Feel free to rant at me, but I’m not going to engage in it – sorry! If I spent all my time responding to haters I’d never get any good done
