Samaritans - Behind These Eyes
Director: Alex Wallace | Producer: Louise Gallon | DOP: Oscar Partridge | 1st AC: Mike Simpson | Sound design: Clearcut Sound Studios | Colourist: Stepan Koslov | Lead: Jermaine Jallow | Additional VO: Elisha Mistretta
Gauge: Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2 | Lens: Orion Atlas anamorphics
With a generously open brief comes great responsibility. The aim? To connect with young people between the ages of 16 and 25 and assure them that whatever they may be struggling with, Samaritans are there to listen, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Two key things stood out when developing the creative solution: how to make the narrative relatable to such a broad range of people within this specific age group, and how to ensure that it is impactful, heartfelt, and inclusive.
We ran a pre-production workshop at the Cardinal Newman School in Hove where the drama students could rework anything that they felt didn’t work. The direct involvement from the intended age group of the campaign was invaluable.
Carried by our lead protagonist Jermaine, and supported by a variety of young talent, both actors and non-actors, the film opens a dialogue around the fact that while someone may seem ‘ok’ on the surface, they could be facing inward struggles and unable to cope. A delicate, sensitive piece that ultimately shines a light on how the Samaritans can help.
Lens: Orion Atlas anamorphics
Thank you to the wonderful team during filming, the input of the organisations involved in production, and Samaritans for trusting the process.
Gauge: Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro G2
