Experiencing Interruptions?

Urban Legends

Located 1939 metres below Hemel Hempstead exists the research facility of Bermuda: an organisation dedicated to containing and studying the supernatural.

When the administration department is visited by an unannounced government inspector, the socially awkward manager is less than compliant.

  • Rio Emilio Swatton
    Director
    Two-Man Rule
  • Rio Emilio Swatton
    Writer
    Two-Man Rule
  • Julien Mery
    Producer
  • Rio Swatton
    Key Cast
    "Sydney Baker"
  • Rob Sadler
    Key Cast
    "James Robinson"
  • Tess Gustard
    Key Cast
    "Leslie"
  • Josh Goodings
    Key Cast
    "Employee"
  • Ian Worrell
    Key Cast
    "Employee"
  • Cedric Swatton
    Key Cast
    "Alan"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Sci-fi, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 16, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    125 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University Centre Colchester
Director Biography - Rio Emilio Swatton

Rio is a young graduate filmmaker based in Colchester. He studied film production at the Colchester Institute for 2 years, and continued his studies at University Centre Colchester for a further 3 years. He specialises in the art department - including props, set dressing and production design - and has gradually been branching into visual effects as well. Rio has been a part of several productions, from student shorts to indie shorts & even a feature film. In June 2022, he released his first short film Two-Man Rule - a crime comedy which he directed, wrote and art directed - as part of a collaborative filmmaking module. His second and latest short, Urban Legends, was shot back in April 2023 and was his final major project before graduation.

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Director Statement

I've always wanted to create an office space like this in a science fiction setting. I had a studio to myself and 3 months to create whatever I wanted, and I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish. Most of the electronic props are locally sourced from the Facebook Marketplace, boot sales and mutual contacts within Colchester and Ipswich, and are all of them fully functioning. The rough cost for the art department was £75. It was very disheartening for me when I eventually had to take it down, as I had grown very attached to it. I had this strange feeling of comfort and nostalgia for a time that I never experienced.
The pre-production for the film was discouraging to say the least. A few weeks before shooting, the script was downscaled significantly after realising the original screenplay was overambitious and unrealistic with the time and resources I had. Due to several setbacks, I was required to step in as an actor which I was very insecure about. When we wrapped the film back in April 2023, I honestly wasn't confident in myself nor what I had done, which is probably why it took so long for me to release the film. I want to say thank you to the dedicated team who came to my rescue when I had lost hope, and helped realise this charming little film. We hope you enjoy!