Principal photography has officially wrapped on the short film Team Building, written and directed by Taz Ayoub and executive produced by Nathan Caselton, starring students from our 1 Year Screen Acting Programme.
Shot on location in the Kent countryside, the film brings together dark comedy, tension and character-driven storytelling in a sharply observed tale of workplace dynamics unravelled in the woods.
The Story
Team Building follows a group of colleagues who set out on what’s supposed to be a corporate bonding retreat — a wholesome escape to a remote cabin in the woods.
But when they finally locate the cabin, what awaits them is far from the structured leadership exercises they were expecting. Instead, they discover their boss inside, surrounded by the chaotic aftermath of a wildly messy party.
What begins as confusion quickly spirals into confrontation, secrets surfacing and alliances shifting. The isolation of the woodland setting heightens the claustrophobia, turning a supposedly morale-boosting getaway into an unfiltered exposure of ego, hierarchy and hidden tensions.
Emerging Talent from our 1 Year Course
In keeping with the ethos of developing real-world experience, the lead cast was formed from students of our 1 Year Screen Acting Course.
For many, this marks a significant step into professional-level production, working on location, navigating ensemble dynamics, and sustaining performance across long-form scenes in challenging outdoor environments.
The project reflects the bridge between training and industry: students stepping into fully realised characters under the guidance of an experienced director, within a structured production framework.
On Location in Kent
Filming took place across woodland locations in Kent, providing a natural, atmospheric backdrop that enhances both the comedic absurdity and the underlying tension of the narrative.
Shooting on location brought its own challenges — weather shifts, access logistics and tight scene choreography inside the cabin — but the contained setting ultimately strengthened the performances, forcing the ensemble into close-quarters dynamics that mirror the story itself.
Creative Vision
Writer-director Taz Ayoub approached Team Building with a clear tonal balance in mind: grounded performances, naturalistic dialogue and escalating discomfort layered with sharp comedic beats.
Executive Producer Nathan Caselton oversaw the production structure, ensuring the film delivered both creatively and logistically while providing meaningful on-set experience for the cast.
The collaboration marks another step in producing high-quality narrative work that merges training with professional standards.
What’s Next?
With principal photography now complete, the film moves into post-production. Editing and sound design will focus on amplifying the tonal shifts — from awkward humour to uncomfortable confrontation — allowing the performances to lead the story.
Further announcements, including release plans and festival submissions, will follow.
For now, the team celebrates a successful shoot in Kent — and a story that proves sometimes the most revealing team-building exercise… is no exercise at all.
