Careers within the film industry are, for many working class individuals, something which are vastly out of reach. With unpaid work and connection-based employment being increasingly normalised in the film and wider creative circle, this leaves very few ways to break into the industry if you don’t have a family history of wealth or creative employment. However, one company seeking to change this is Underscore Studios. While Underscore Studios are striving for change in a variety of ways, they are currently crowdfunding in order to create the short film These Streets. By doing so, they hope to be able to amplify working class stories and talent in order to not only raise awareness of the issue, but to show that underrepresented voices deserve to be heard, no matter how much others in the film industry may try to prevent this.

In this conversation with Underscore Studios co-founder Emma Robson, as well as Underscore Studios team members Annie, Georgina and Jani, they offer their insight into the reality of working within the film industry as people who want to make a change.

Interview by Susanna Demelas

You currently have an ongoing crowdfunding campaign for the production of your film These Streets. Can you tell us some more about this?

We are working to crowdfund £6200 to produce These Streets, a film which aims to raise awareness about classism in the arts, particularly theatre and film. These Streets is a beautifully written spoken-word film that shares the compelling and optimistic story of a young woman; exploring the memories of her childhood and how she became to dream of a life in the arts, she battles the harsh reality of how coming from a working-class background will affect her opportunities in the industry, whilst still being hopeful there is a chance for people like her to thrive equally. Too often, those starting out are expected to work for free, or for ‘exposure’, and this is just an additional barrier to entry to working class people. The aim of this film is to raise awareness on the ways the working class are treated within the arts industry and to highlight how issues like lack of payment affect them. We deserve equal opportunities too, and with These Streets hopefully we can spark a change that needs to happen.

What would reaching the target of the crowdfunding campaign mean for Underscore Studios?

It would mean the world! Reaching our target would allow us as a team to truly give this story the dedication and time it deserves when being made. The message is so important in our current climate and having the support from the public to make this film would help highlight that it is a message needing to be told.

As a company which champions working class people and other underrepresented individuals who want to pursue careers within the arts, what are your goals at Underscore Studios?

Our goal is to not only raise awareness on the issue, but to also give working opportunities to working class creatives. Just because the art industry ignores us, doesn’t mean we have to ignore each other. Film still from These Streets. Image from @underscorestudios on Instagram.

What are, in your opinion (s), some of the main struggles facing groups such as women, ethnic minorities and working class individuals in terms of entering the arts industry?

Firstly, there are so many old traditions in place and elite groups and networks that make entering the industry seem difficult for anyone without money or connections. For example, from doing work experience with a well-known theatre group five years ago, to working in REP Theatre last year, so many of the backstage crew and office teams are white and have worked together for years or knew someone who knew someone who recommended them. It feels like a group of people who work well together form a unit early on, and then barely let anyone new or fresh enter it.

Also, lot of projects come through that expect their team to work for free, or for expenses only, and I think this has become so popular over the last few years that it almost feels rude to ask to be paid for the work that you are doing. Whether this is because I’m female, or from a working-class background, and people feel like I’m just desperate for a job and can walk all over me, I’m not sure. But in theory if you can’t afford to pay your cast and crew at least minimum wage, you shouldn’t be making a film full stop. When entering the arts industry, you’re made to feel you should just take whatever job gets thrown your way, even if its unpaid, but you need to not lower your standards just for a job. You deserve to be paid for the work that you’ve done.

Is there any other ways we, as an audience, can help support Underscore Studios?

Obviously, contributions are a huge part of the crowdfunding process. However, as we live in a social media world, I believe spreading the word on multiple platforms and having the support of different and established organisations would really help us to continue to support Underscore Studios and the project itself.

Where to find Underscore Studios: