Experiencing Interruptions?

Underdawgs

'Underdawgs' shares the true story of Austin Underwood, an inspirational figure with Down syndrome, and his mother, Jan, as they challenge stereotypes and empower individuals with learning differences to set expectations, not limitations.

  • Brie Electra
    Director
  • Charity Robinson
    Director
  • Victoria Woodworth
    Writer
  • Matthew Mays
    Writer
  • Noelle Siwek
    Producer
  • Charity Robinson
    Producer
  • Austin Underwood
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Jan Underwood
    Key Cast
    "Herself"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Texas Christian University
Director Biography - Brie Electra, Charity Robinson

Brie Electra is a 23-year-old writer, painter, martial artist, and filmmaker who was raised in the up-and-coming Texas city of Mineral Wells. She studied painting at Pratt in New York City in 2018 and then moved back to attend Texas Christian University and finish her bachelor degree in film. While in Fort Worth, she wrote and directed her first short film Norma, which was released on YouTube in 2022. While in school, she was hired by local Dallas-Fort Worth indie bands to capture concerts and music videos and has worked on television shows as a PA, one being Taylor Sheridan’s Bass Reeves. Brie graduated in December 2023, and plans to volunteer at film festivals around the world, continue her journey as a writer-director craftswoman, and fulfill her dream of attending acting school in London.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

What does, “expectations, not limitations” mean? We think it means Austin Underwood.

Austin is an adult living with Down syndrome. He is a college graduate, business owner, and local Fort Worth celebrity. Along with his mother, Jan, he started Austin’s Underdawgs, a hot dog truck that was a dream of Austin’s to own and operate. With that dream off the ground for many years, Austin and Jan continued their work of empowering those with inellectual differences to achieve independence through meaningful employment with the Each and Everyone Foundation.

Underdawgs was created to spread awareness about how those with intellectual differences lead amazing lives. Are they underdogs? We’ll let you decide. Join us for the premiere screening of the film, followed by a community panel discussion on empowering those with intellectual differences.

Underdawgs is a production of the TCU Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, produced by students as a part of their coursework in Documentary Production.