Cutting through

Guns, knives, street violence, gang related thuggery – the Great British populace, and the London area especially, seems to suddenly be beset with youth-related violence on a day-to-day basis. Don’t worry, The Reel isn’t about to get all Daily Mail on yo asses, we’re media savvy enough to spot a tabloid selling trend when we see one, but the current spate of serious crime has seen an up-rise in superb, socially conscious creative – so we thought we’d take a little look at some of the highlights.

In terms of credibility, Quiet Storms recent project to tackle gun crime couldn’t have a more auspicious call sheet – being co-directed by up-and-comer Dennis Gyamfi, a former Brixton gang member who left to take up the lens, and written by Lambeth teenagers Jaron Williams and Alimur Raham.

Penned by the pair whilst attending a creative workshop run by Quiet Storm for students at Lambeth Academy, the piece stems from the ‘Tackling Gun Crime Creatively’ competition, entered by 100 teenagers, with the 16 ‘finalists’ taking part in the special workshops. After winning first prize, Jaron and Alimur were awarded with the opportunity to bring their idea to life through the uber-agency/production company.

Featuring the mother of a boy who has just been killed by a gun, the film follows her tear on an emotional journey - from stream on her face, to a bead of sweat on the forehead of her son’s killer, to a drop of blood from her son’s bullet wound. Over the action a chilling poem is read by a 15 year old boy, ending with the haunting line: “Not one mother cries because her son’s gone, but two”. Quiet Storm plans to run similar Anti Gun Crime projects next year with other professional role models setting similar creative projects. With everyone working on the film giving their time for free we at The Reel think the piece and concept behind it gives a great opportunity to these young people to have a voice and inspire youngsters like them to turn away from gang culture.

However, not all youth violence related ads need to have come from the brain of yoot itself. Earlier this year we were treated to two exceptional knife crime related spots from RKCR/Y&R and Sonny London, both helmed by the perennial Reel favourtie Guy Manwaring. Focusing on realism, the two pieces show the harsh reality of a knife attack – one showcasing the act itself in terrifyingly accurate CCTV style, the other showing the bloody results in a graphic lecture. Shocking and brutally effective, these two spots show that a little creative thinking and respect for the subject can pay dividends.

NewsReel 29/08/08

As always, please send any news and press releases to sam@thereel.net and we'll do our best to include it here.

Love is Golden

Golden Square has announced the promotion of Dan Love to the role of Head of Production. 34 year old Dan joined the company in 2002 as a humble librarian and has progressed through the ranks via bookings and production. He commented on his impressive rise, ‘Having risen through the ranks at Golden Square, I’m really looking forward to taking this role on and making my mark, it’s very exciting!’

Ewan Macleod, Golden Square’s MD said, ‘Dan is the natural choice for Head of Production. He is respected by his colleagues at Golden Square and very popular with our clients. I’m looking forward to working closely with him in his new role.’

Mainframe moveMainframe, unabated by the current economic climate, has continued a period of expansion which saw them opening a Manchester HQ by investing £1.2million into a new London studio.

The beautiful new space in Clerkenwell will be furnished with £200,000 worth of kit, including and additional 5 Maya seats and new work stations built around Mac and Boxx technologies. Four new animators have been bought in to operate the extra kit.

Adam Jenns, Mainframe’s MD, said of the brave expansion, ‘We feel very fortunate to be expanding like this in such an uncertain economic climate. It would feel like a bit too much of a risk if it weren’t for the steady flow of repeat and new business that’s coming our way.’

Mainframe’s swanky new address from mid-Sept will be Unit 10, The Piano Works, 113 – 117 Farringdon Road, EC1. Building and move updates can be tracked via Mainframe’s new blog: http://www.blog.mainframe.co.uk

Selby has the feel good factor
Feel Films have announced the signing of acclaimed British commercials director Selby. The ex-WCRS creative moved over to directing in the late 90s, achieving recognition for his Palm D’Or finalist BMW ‘Luge’ spot. Stuart Wrigglesworth, Head of Production at Feel, is understandably pleased with the signing, ‘Selby is a formidable creative talent and we believe his reel competes with the best in the market place.’

Spank hit Top Gear
Spank Films have announced the signing of Emmy and Promax award-winning director Richard Heeley. Heeley has previously helped secure Top Gear’s place as one of the best loved programme’s on the box, however, he’s no stranger to the 30-second format, as he started his career making trailers for the BBC. John Golley, MD of Spank, has confirmed that they are already pitching on a commercial for him Heeley already and said of the signing, ‘I have known Richard for the best part of ten years, I have always thought of him as an immense creative talent and what he did to help transform Top Gear was just fantastic. As soon as I knew that he was interested in moving into commercials I contacted him.’

Heeley said of his move into commercials, ‘I'm absolutely passionate about directing and passionate about cars so the chance to combine the two for the commercials market is one that I'm incredibly excited about.' How much would you like to bet they're pitching on a car ad?!

Frankie goes Bare
The lovely Frankie Singler has left Quiet Storm Films to join Bare Films as Head of Sales. All at The Reel wish her luck with her new role.

Schooling the gangs

Guns, knives, street violence, gang related thuggery – the Great British populace, and the London area especially, seems to suddenly be beset with youth-related violence on a day-to-day basis. Don’t worry, The Reel isn’t about to get all Daily Mail on yo asses, we’re media savvy enough to spot a tabloid selling trend when we see one, but the current spate of serious crime has seen an up-rise in superb, socially conscious creative – so we thought we’d take a little look at some of the highlights.

In terms of credibility, Quiet Storms recent project to tackle gun crime couldn’t have a more auspicious call sheet – being co-directed by up-and-comer Dennis Gyamfi, a former Brixton gang member who left to take up the lens, and written by Lambeth teenagers Jaron Williams and Alimur Raham. Penned by the pair whilst attending a creative workshop run by Quiet Storm for students at Lambeth Academy, the piece stems from the ‘Tackling Gun Crime Creatively’ competition, entered by 100 teenagers, with the 16 ‘finalists’ taking part in the special workshops. After winning first prize, Jaron and Alimur were awarded with the opportunity to bring their idea to life through the uber-agency/production company.

Featuring the mother of a boy who has just been killed by a gun, the film follows her tear on an emotional journey - from stream on her face, to a bead of sweat on the forehead of her son’s killer, to a drop of blood from her son’s bullet wound. Over the action a chilling poem is read by a 15 year old boy, ending with the haunting line: “Not one mother cries because her son’s gone, but two”. Quiet Storm plans to run similar Anti Gun Crime projects next year with other professional role models setting similar creative projects. With everyone working on the film giving their time for free we at The Reel think the piece and concept behind it gives a great opportunity to these young people to have a voice and inspire youngsters like them to turn away from gang culture.

However, not all youth violence related ads need to have come from the brain of yoot itself. Earlier this year we were treated to two exceptional knife crime related spots from RKCR/Y&R and Sonny London, both helmed by the perennial Reel favourtie Guy Manwaring. Focusing on realism, the two pieces show the harsh reality of a knife attack – one showcasing the act itself in terrifyingly accurate CCTV style, the other showing the bloody results in a graphic lecture. Shocking and brutally effective, these two spots show that a little creative thinking and respect for the subject can pay dividends.