16/10/2026
I was lucky enough to be involved in a small way with this, I was there to make sure wee Orwell was comfortable on set whilst waiting for his debut scene 😂
The Story Behind Dark Devices
The story behind the feature film Dark Devices is almost as important to us as the film itself.
The idea began with my ( producer/writer ) daughter, Sophie, when she was just ten years old. Having come from a working class background herself, she wanted to create something that could help other children and young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the film industry. Having been fortunate enough to find her own way into film, she wanted to help open doors for others and show them that their circumstances need not define their future.
Sophie is now almost sixteen and has already appeared in several films herself. We feel incredibly humbled by the opportunities she has been given, but throughout her own journey, she has never forgotten why she wanted to make this film in the first place.
As her mum, I have always wanted to show Sophie that with hard work, determination and belief, things that once seem impossible can become reality. She wanted the children and everyone involved in this project to experience something special — to be part of something that many people may never have the opportunity to experience in their lifetime, just as she has been fortunate enough to do.
What began as a child's dream has grown into a genuine grassroots film project, bringing together people from many different backgrounds, each with their own stories, experiences and ambitions.
The journey has taken five years. As a single mum, I have worked hard to keep the project moving forward alongside the many other challenges life has brought our way. These have included Sophie's diagnosis of Crohn's disease, periods of severe illness and time spent in hospital. There have been many difficult moments and circumstances beyond our control, and times when continuing has not been easy. Yet, somehow, we have kept going with some real good support in the backgroud, holding on to the original vision and the belief that this project could make a difference.
The film itself is inspired by lived experiences. It draws on real-life situations, challenges and experiences that have been dramatised and developed for the screen. Although the story has been fictionalised, the emotions and themes at its heart are rooted in reality. Dark Devices explores issues that many people may recognise, with online grooming central to the story.
But this project has always been about much more than making a film.
Our original vision was to create opportunities for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. As the project developed, that vision grew to include people in recovery and film students, many of whom became part of the crew alongside experienced industry professionals and professional actors.
For film students, the production offered the opportunity to work on a real film set, gain practical experience, develop their skills and build confidence within the industry. For some, the experience has been a stepping stone towards further opportunities, with individuals going on to work on other productions and projects.
For people in recovery, the project provided an opportunity to become involved in something positive, creative and purposeful. It gave people the chance to contribute their skills, work as part of a supportive team and be involved in something meaningful, with a shared goal that brought everyone together.
For many of the young people involved, it meant seeing a dream come to life — the dream of being part of the film industry. But it became so much more than that. It was about believing in themselves, discovering what they were capable of, learning new skills, building confidence and realising that opportunities can exist where they may never have imagined them.
People with very different levels of experience have come together, learned from one another and worked towards creating something special. In many ways, the film has already achieved what Sophie hoped it would when she was just ten years old: it has helped open doors, create opportunities and bring people together who might never otherwise have crossed paths.
Financially, Dark Devices has been a true grassroots effort. The film has been primarily self-funded, with five years of our own time, money and resources invested into bringing it to life. We have also been fortunate to receive support from sponsors who believed in the vision and dreams of a ten-year-old girl, and we will always be grateful to those who saw the potential in what Sophie wanted to achieve.
We are equally thankful to the local businesses and induvials across the UK who have supported us along the way. Every contribution, every act of kindness and every person who has believed in this project has helped us continue when the journey has been difficult.
For us, Dark Devices is not simply a feature film. It represents resilience, opportunity, inclusion and the power of believing in a dream. It is about showing young people that they deserve opportunities, that their voices matter and that they can be part of something bigger than themselves.
Most importantly, it is about a little girl who, at just ten years old, wanted to make a difference for other children — and who has held on to that belief throughout a journey that has tested us in ways we could never have anticipated.
We are incredibly proud of how far this project has come, not only because of the film we have created, but because of the people who have been part of the journey and the opportunities that have grown from it.
What began as Sophie's dream has become something we all share. And for us, that is what makes Dark Devices truly special.
Poster credit Neil Fraser Graphics
