Calling all UK Preppers

[amyeruse]

SELF RELIANCE IN A FRAGILE WORLD

- Do you hope for the best but prepare for the worst?
- Are you investing in your own security against the unknown?
- Do you believe in developing the knowledge, skills and stores to survive?
- Do you live in the UK?

DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH

We are Kowalski, a production company making thought provoking programmes for UK and international broadcast. We are developing an idea for a documentary about people who believe in self reliance.

We are keen to speak to individuals and families in the UK who believe that a level of preparedness is increasingly important and have taken action. You might be working towards self sufficiency with perma-culture in case of crop or energy failure or learning bushcraft and survival skills to improve your self reliance. You may have a store of food and water in case you are forced to remain in your home or a rehearsed emergency plan in the event of disaster.

This is an important subject, so if you live in the UK, believe in being prepared and have the time for a chat to help our research, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

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CONTACT:

Amy Ruse
Development Producer - Kowalski
t: +44(0)20 7882 1021
e: amy.ruse@kowalskimedia.co.uk

[Ken]

Amy E. RUSE
Is this a "ruse"? Is it :spam:?
Dictionary: ruse
Main Entry: ruse
Pronunciation:\ˈrüs, ˈrüz\
Function:noun
Etymology:French, from Old French, roundabout path taken by fleeing game, trickery, from reuser
Date:1625: a wily subterfuge
synonyms see trick (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick)

AMYYYYYYYYYY! How about an Introduction? http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

[Ken]

Hmmmm. Website under construction, huh? http://www.kowalskimedia.co.uk/

[crashdive123]

Amy - do you have a website that is up and running where folks can get some information about your group? I see that you are aparently involved in more than one documentary based on posts you have made on other forums. One of my biggest concerns is spam and scams on the internet. We've had quite a few using your IP service provider.

[2dumb2kwit]

I love it.
Ken and crash were on that spam like a couple of Hawaiins! LOL:clap:

[crashdive123]

To be fair, it may not be spam. If it is a legitamate request (no way to tell since their website isn't up yet) it makes sense to come to a forum like this for their request. They do not appear to be selling anything. Rest assured, that if there is an aroma of pork products, this post will be removed.

[amyeruse]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for your comments - I understand your concerns. Other forums have deteled/banned me simply because I'm a journalist/media professional, which is a shame, but what can I do? I appreciate you giving me a chance to explain myself. Because we are a new company, our website is not yet up and running...as you discovered, but I can post some information about the individual members of the team and our track record in terms of film-making. We are all experienced freelance producers/directors working on a number of different ideas for documentary one offs and series.

Here is a link to an article about our affiliation with STV (Scottish Television). Hope this helps.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/mar/23/stv-stake-kowalski

My request is a serious one. We are trying to make a film to explore the notion of preparedness and self reliance which is growing more and more here in the UK amongst people keen to invest in some survival security related to issues such as climate change, bird/swine flu, peak oil, natural disaster, terrorist attacks etc. I've managed to speak to one individual who considers himself a prepper and it's been really interesting, but I'd like more. Forums are the obvious way to reach people. Not sure what it's like in the states but the nature of this subject means that people are often not keen on talking about their preparations and worry that they will be forced to reveal the location of their home etc. which obviously is not something they want to do. At this stage, however, I am simply trying to expand my research by talking to folk who have a preparedness strategy to find out their story, their motivation etc. I hope that there are some British individuals out there who are proud to be prepared and want to dispel the myths and negative press and educate the public about their lifestyle.

I would be very grateful for any UK contacts you may have or any suggestions about how to reach preppers in the UK. Any questions you have, please fire away. Lastly, forgive me if I post in the wrong place and stuff - I'm not very forum-savvy ;-)

P.S. My name really is Ruse!

[crashdive123]

Amy - thanks for the explanation and information. I'm not sure if or how many will contact you, partly for the reasons you mention. As part of your research, why not read through some of the information contained here. You will find a lot of information. We do have several members from the area of your focus, as well as around the world. Good luck with your project.

[amyeruse]

Thanks very much. I will certainly read through the forum for my research.

All the best!

[Winnie]

Amy, I live in the UK. Crash's post is the best advice.
Loads of helpful info, some of which, due to the nature of our weapons laws are of interest only. Others however are a must read. I'm on the way to being prepared, but still WAY behind these guys!
Have a trawl and cherry pick what seems useful.
P.S not really interested in helping further, sorry.

[amyeruse]

Thanks wychwood. If you change your mind about helping further, feel free to email me - the fact that you are fairly new to the subject does not matter. in fact, it's more interesting.

[Rick]

Amy - You should also know that being prepared isn't just about pandemics or terrorists. Many folks prepare for the likelihood of a natural disaster such as a tornado or hurricane or wild fire (depending on location of course). They also prepare for man made disasters such as a transportation accidents or industrial accidents, either of which could force you from your home.

You purchase insurance for your car, home and life. Consider preparations as an extension of that same thought process whether the individual is concerned about nature throwing a tantrum or whether they are concerned about TEOTWAWKI.

[amyeruse]

Cheers Rick - there does seem to be a wide spectrum of possible crises for which preparation is wise - given the current economic situation, losing ones job is on the list too! I spoke to a prepper who had been made redundant five times in the last four years. And we have had the odd earhquake over here recently although nothing like other parts of the world.

[Rick]

You bet. There are all kinds of problems that you could prepare for. I just wanted to point out that it's not all about end of the world type stuff and not all of us a holed up on bunkers waiting for the impending hordes.

I wish you the best of luck with your project. As others have said, there is a wealth of information in the posts that range the spectrum of planning.

[2dumb2kwit]

Amy,
I must apologize for my post. I was actually torn between thinking your post was spam, or either someone trying to do one of those "look at these crazy people" stories.
Over here, it seems that every time I see a story about preparedness, (or firearms) they end up less than accurate, and often give a very wrong impression of the people involved.

Best of luck, with your project.:clap:

[2dumb2kwit]

Cheers Rick - there does seem to be a wide spectrum of possible crises for which preparation is wise - given the current economic situation, losing ones job is on the list too! I spoke to a prepper who had been made redundant five times in the last four years. And we have had the odd earhquake over here recently although nothing like other parts of the world.

Aside from being prepared for the unexpected (or the expected), you just might learn that more natural foods are pretty good tasting!:innocent: (and better for you.)

[amyeruse]

Amy,
I must apologize for my post. I was actually torn between thinking your post was spam, or either someone trying to do one of those "look at these crazy people" stories.
Over here, it seems that every time I see a story about preparedness, (or firearms) they end up less than accurate, and often give a very wrong impression of the people involved.

Best of luck, with your project.:clap:

Not a problem - us producers have thick skins ;-) Thanks for the good wishes.