Tell us about Rebel Yell’s origins and what kind of projects they work on.
I left a pretty decently paid job and agent in London to set up Rebel Yell as I wanted to have more say in the work I did, prioritising interesting projects and creativity. Predominantly our work involves making films that turn heads for brands, agencies and businesses big and small. Though in the past, projects have run the gamut from full length feature films, documentaries, web series, shorts, smart phone apps, more than seven hours of radio play and we’ve even put on a play in Leicester Square. We like to think that this scope of work makes us more rounded as film makers and more versatile to clients.
How did you get involved with the children’s charity SAFE@LAST? Do you do much work for charities?
About four years ago we shot a music promo for Universal Records for an artist called Jay Mya. We kept in touch and he dropped us a line to say he was working with this great little charity that will need a promo film. For me, this project goes to the core of what Rebel Yell is: It’s all about the making the best film possible, fresh ideas executed with vision. They didn't have a huge budget for this but we were resourceful and pulled out all the stops to make it happen. And yeah, we’ve done a bunch of work for charities: Emmanuel House in Nottingham as well as bigger national projects such as for the homeless charity Crisis. If you’re from a charity reading this, drop us a line - let’s see if we can work something out.
How did you approach the making of the video, in terms of concept?
It was all about working with Jay and the charity to really nail the brief so it worked for our demographic of children under sixteen. It was key to have issues (physical and cyber bullying, domestic violence, child abuse, self harm, alcohol abuse) explored in a way that wasn't trite or needlessly shocking. We did a few drafts of the treatment to iron out a couple of issues then a shot-list as well as extensive casting and rehearsals with local talent to get the performances bang on. Emotive visual storytelling is what I love most about making films so as you can imagine this was an absolute treat. When we screened a first cut to the charity it ended and there was dead silence, we were thinking, damn, did we drop the ball? But it turned out they were all tearing up at it - useful feedback!
Has the video/song had much interest yet via YouTube and other medias?
Happily it has - more than 200 shares on Facebook and 5000 views on YouTube, as well as a very positive reaction with kids in schools. The charity’s Head of Child Services, Tracy Haycox MBE said she was in awe of what we’d done, so we were pretty thrilled by that too. It’s being shown as part of a showcase event for national charities like the NSPCC and Childline, at the end of November.
Where and when can people purchase the charity single?
People can pre-order it now by texting SAFE to 85888 or pre-order on iTunes. The single is released on the 30 November and there will be physical copies kicking around in HMV too.
What is next for Rebel Yell?
More exciting gigs - specifically a couple of TV advert campaigns for some really interesting brands and also waiting to hear back on a music promo brief we’ve just responded to. Watch this space, as they say.
Rebel Yell website
Safe at Last website
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