“What happens to the most vulnerable in society when the most powerful embrace AI?”

We are seeking completion funding for The Correction Unit, a feature-length, sci-fi thriller set in the near-future of a dystopian Britain that explores themes of disillusionment, morality, free will and the role of artificial intelligence in education.

In a city stricken with violence and poverty, Shawn is trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of crime. After being kicked out of another Young Offenders Institute, nTrac - a futuristic new AI educational facility - provides him with the opportunity to start again.

But as nTrac, under the leadership of shady businessman James Lee, begins to exert more and more control over Shawn’s life in the form of invasive and manipulative AI, the true intentions of the facility become apparent.

When a fellow inmate is violently killed, Shawn and his loyal friend Tish lead the other offenders in revolt, facing a desperate race against time and technology to escape nTrac’s sinister influence.

Over the last three years, there has been a 21% increase in knife crime and violence against young people aged 10 - 17 in the UK.

The Correction Unit was written to explore what responsibility online media has for this increase in violence and how a future that is heavily reliant on AI will affect young people.

A large number of the young actors involved in the film were street cast and have been affected directly or indirectly by gang violence and crime. Working on the film has allowed them to share and explore their lived experiences.

We wanted to pay young people during the holidays/term breaks to do something creative and rewarding. We have been astonished by the level of dedication the first-time actors have given the project so far, and the performances possess a power and authenticity that can’t be taught. Upon the release, we are going to help the cast with showreels for talent agents and we are confident that we will create a number of opportunities for the young people involved in the film.

I wanted to create a film that explores the pathway society is pursuing with AI. In an idyllic world, there is potential for AI to help society flourish, but there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. Chief amongst them, is the importance of building AI systems with empathy and compassion. This film entertains the question, what happens when AI pioneers neglect these values? The eye of nTrac is ever present throughout the film, absorbing and learning from behaviours and creating biases.

We have shot around two-thirds of the film so far, and we have confirmed an international distribution agreement with a streaming/VOD distribution company. The exposure the cast and crew will get from the completion of this film will allow for more work at industry level and start careers for some of the cast who wish to pursue acting. The production team have worked tirelessly on this film, creating something far greater than its micro-budget would suggest. The Correction Unit is an action-packed, thrilling film that addresses contemporary themes of power, impact and the role of emerging technologies - but we need your help to ensure it finds the audience it deserves.

The trauma and dread as Chris falls into the sunken place in Get Out. The sophisticated manipulation of advanced AI creations like Ava in Ex Machina and HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The aggressive, witty revolt of the young criminals in Attack the Block. The Correction Unit explores how artificial intelligence uses unaddressed trauma to alter the negative behaviours and pathways of young violent offenders. Psychologically thrilling, cinematic, led by powerful and exciting characters, The Correction Unit is an entertaining feature that confronts the pressing question: What happens to the most vulnerable in our society when the most powerful embrace AI?

Production of The Correction Unit was split into three phases: Phase 1, which was completed in August/September 2023, Phase 2, which was completed between November-January 2024 and Phase 3, which will take place between February-April 2024, and will include shooting the final 30% of the film and post-production.

Phases 1 and 2 were financed independently and we are now raising the funds to complete Phase 3, and the film. With an international distribution agreement signed, we are excited to complete filming and help The Correction Unit find an audience. But we can’t do it without your help.

We are proud to be a Nottingham production, with the majority of the cast and crew living and working in the city. The film has also been shot entirely in Nottingham, with locations including Confetti X, Nottingham Girls’ High School, Thieves Wood, Notts Maze, Jesse Gray Primary School, Space 2 and Castle House.

The Correction Unit has taken tangible steps to ensure that all stages of production are as ethical as possible. These include:

• All on-set catering is plant-based to reduce our carbon footprint
• Shared transport to cut down on fossil fuel usage
• All unused food is donated to Open Kitchen, a Nottingham-based charity that feeds people in need

Some of the creative team behind The Correction Unit

Derry Shillitto

Derry is a director and producer whose recent work includes the film Hollow and the BFI film Harm. He has directed several TV adverts for companies including NHS, Boots and Visit Nottingham, as well as directing music videos and short films that have been screened at festivals around Europe. The Correction Unit marks Derry’s feature film debut and is inspired by his experiences as a teacher during lockdown in the UK.

Ashley Carter

Ashley is a writer, documentary maker, lecturer and producer based in Nottingham. Having studied at the National Film and Television School as well as a Masters in Documentary Journalism from Nottingham Trent University, he has directed several short documentaries and one feature, and spent four years as Editor of culture magazine LeftLion.

Luke Radford

Luke is a filmmaker and producer based in Nottingham. After graduating from the Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in 2011 he has directed, produced and edited a range of productions including a feature film, short films, music videos and two documentaries for BBC One. Luke’s work has been featured on BBC, Netflix and Freevee.

Lucy Powell

Following her graduation with a BA in Filmmaking, Lucy secured a role as a freelance studio camera operator for BBC East Midlands Today. She has previous experience working in a variety of roles behind the camera from runner to camera assistant as well as producing/assisting roles contributing to a range of projects, spanning from advertisements to charity campaigns, experimental and short films.

Will J. Carman

Will is a UK-based cinematographer with experience shooting narrative, music promos, branded content, and everything in between. With a passion for creating emotionally rich images, Will thrives in the narrative sector of filmmaking getting to take the story from script to screen.

Alex Stroud

With over fifty short films and nine features under his belt, Alex is a vastly experienced sound mixer based in the East Midlands. Along with his sound team, Antony Brown and Chelsea Toye, Alex continues to grow and progress, with The Correction Unit marking one of three feature films they’ve worked on this year.

Georgie Levers

Georgie’s most recent credits include Witches, a BFI-funded short film and Too Much Money, a proof of concept scene for a feature film. Last year she was awarded funding from the BFI Network for her short film, Harm. The short completed a festival run, received the Social Change award at the Short Film Factory festival and was nominated for three awards at the Women X Festival, including Best Film.

Esmée Matthews

Esmée is an experienced, passionate costume designer based in Nottingham. Having started out in front of the camera, she took her passion for fashion and costume to move behind the camera and has worked on a number of high-profile short films and theatrical productions. The Correction Unit marks her first feature film as costume designer.

Adrian Villeschi

Adrian is a multi-citizen creative raised in Qatar, now thriving in the UK’s artistic hubs. Featured by The British Journal of Photography in 2014, he has since established himself as a prominent freelance digi/film photographer exploring a diverse range of genres. His lighting style blends rich/vibrant colours with soft/muted tones and an overall dreamy melancholia, tempered by a meticulous approach to lighting and composition.

Rufus Wilson

Rufus is a freelance director, DP and gaffer. His debut documentary short Escape had an exciting festival run, winning awards at Cannes Indie Shorts and Roma Short Film Festival. Rufus continues to thrive as a DP working with clients from Umbro to Castore. 2024 will see him DP his first feature film as well as direct a short film of his own.

Everyone involved with The Correction Unit is extremely proud of what we have achieved so far on a very limited budget. Whether you want to support independent film, champion Nottingham industry or have an interest in the role of technology in the future of education, we will be incredibly grateful for anything you can contribute to help us complete production.

The graph below explains where the £10,000 will be spent to help us complete production:

This is an exciting time for independent British film, and we believe the story we are telling is both relevant and important to the times we live in. With your help, we can make sure The Correction Unit reaches the audience we think it deserves.

For more information, please view our full Pitchdeck.

thecorrectionunit.com