When mainstream school doesn’t work out, many children feel lost and blocked from reaching their full potential. But students from Stone Soup Academy were given a glimpse at a new future, after Derry Shillitto began casting for his latest project.
“The kids went nuts; they were mental.
“Kicking chairs, throwing tables over, chucking each other round.”
The first day of shooting for The Correction Unit was certainly a memorable experience for director and producer Derry, with a cast of around 20 teenagers performing a canteen riot scene.
The feature film has secured a worldwide distribution deal and will be released to Netflix and other streaming providers in early 2025, with screenings in independent cinemas across the UK.
It explores what happens to the most vulnerable in our society when the most powerful embrace AI, following a group of young offenders who enter an institution powered by artificial intelligence.
“They are the funniest kids I’ve ever met, and also the naughtiest.”
Derry Shillitto, director and producer
The idea originally came from Stone Soup Academy’s ex-headteacher Leon Hady, who gave the production the money to start out.
Derry initially based the sci-fi thriller’s protagonist, Shawn, on his own childhood experiences.
He said: “I didn’t do good at school, I think that’s why I relate to some of the kids.
“I struggled to pay attention and hung around people who’d get into trouble.
“I understand that school’s not for everyone.”
The Correction Unit was shot across Nottingham, and its cast and crew are made up of local people.
A group of 15 to 19-year-olds, found through street casting, alternative provision schools, and nearby drama group the Television Workshop, were given their first insight into the industry through the project.
Derry believes the work has transformed the young people, taking them out of potentially dangerous situations such as drug dealing and giving them something to channel their energy into.
He wanted to help these children and give them a shot at something new, saying: “They are the funniest kids I’ve ever met, and also the naughtiest.
“They cause havoc.
“A lot of people have this misconception that naughty kids come from low-income backgrounds and that’s not true- there are environmental factors.”
Some of the actors have been directly impacted by gang violence.
The production team were conscious of reminding them that whilst their characters have similar traits, they are not playing themselves, as it is bad for the young people to tap into their trauma without professional training.
Derry added: “We did need to make sure their expectations were realistic going into the industry.
“A lot of them were saying how easy it was, but the truth is they’re probably going to fail more than they’ll succeed.”
Elleese Bradshaw plays one of the main characters Tish, Shawn’s best friend who also ends up in the institution with him.
She was scouted dancing at Nottingham College and, since getting involved in The Correction Unit, has featured in a Jake Bugg music video alongside other members of the cast.
Derry thinks she will get an agent once people see her performance in the film.
One actor couldn’t read properly a year ago and is now involved in a drama company and has performed in a play in London, reading his scripts excitedly on set.
Derry hopes this is the start of many careers in the industry and that the actors will get further work off the back of this film.
The director and producer joked: “I feel like I deserve twenty per cent of all commissions they get.
“I’m going to put that in the contract!”
He plans to make everyone a showreel and get headshots taken by a professional photographer.
The talented cast are joined by Titanic actor Jonny Phillips.
“It’s important to help in communities that are struggling, there’s less funding in places like Nottingham.”
Derry Shillitto, director and producer
Derry began his filmmaking journey producing music videos for local director Luke Radford, including Grandma’s Place by Jah Digga and EFFED by Snowy and Jason Williamson.
He then went on to make videos for corporate companies as a freelancer and several short films, with The Correction Unit being his first feature film.
The 90-minute B-movie is a low-budget production, but Derry wants to show just how good entertainment can be even with small amounts of money and away from the capital city.
He said: “There’s definitely a funnel through London for most productions.
“It’s important to help in communities that are struggling, there’s less funding in places like Nottingham.
“The Nottingham style of doing and saying things is great, it’s hilarious sometimes.”
He also said he has a close-knit crew willing to help him locally, whereas in London he would have to build new networks and a low-budget film would be impossible due to the city’s costs.
The complex issue of artificial intelligence and its effects are explored throughout the film.
Derry said: “What happened with the US election changes a lot of things and that’s devastating in a way.
“The US government is now not necessarily filled with people with empathy and compassion.
“And AI needs to be built with empathy and compassion.”
He added: “There are people that are doing good with it, like in medicine, so I’m hoping people take that side.”
Whatever the future has in store for AI, it seems it will also bring many opportunities to shine for The Correction Unit’s talented young cast.
Derry also hopes the story may have a future as a short TV series.
To find out more visit www.thecorrectionunit.com.
