Walmart #FightHunger

Walmart #FightHunger

Walmart #FightHunger

We were featured for our video collaboration with Walmart for their Fight Hunger campaign.

You wish all your jobs had a social impact of this size.

Thats one thing that rang true all through pre & post production. Each job is special in its own right, but I could probably count on one hand how many jobs encouraged a larger follow through and a call to action of this magnitude. It was an honor and privilege to Direct this spot for Walmart’s #Fighthunger campaign.

Thought and process.
Creatively, this script went through alot of changes till we landed on the right one. Adrienne Nicole was the Executive Producer on this project and from day 1 I felt at ease. Her production company brought me in early to really help craft the story via Walmart’s wishes. We knew from the beginning that we would be working with reverend Chianti Mitchell, who had dealt with the task of fighting hunger in her own community. Her story would carry the narrative, and visually we’d see the pastor welcoming her flock into the worship house. The only caveat? Walmart wanted our pastor’s story to be true, and authentic, I.E. no set script. I worked with reverend Mitchell for a few weeks to really understand her story. On the day of principle photography when we had our interview I knew the right questions to ask, and reverend Mitchell was beyond comfortable.
Team work make the dream work
It was an amazing crew from top to bottom. We shot on the Alexa Amira with Optimo zoom lenses to really give us the intimate warm feeling keeping with the Walmart brand. Leading the visual charge was Cinematographer Hilda Mercado and her Bcam Op Denise Bailie. Instantly Hilda and I clicked, she understood my motivations and brought alot of stylistic and lighting choices herself. This Director & DP relationship is always big for me since I still photograph alot of the projects I Direct.
  • Exec Producer – Adrienne Nicole
  • Director – Mike Cooke
  • Producer – Phoenix Higgins
  • Prod Manager – Joshlyn Hargrove
  • 1st AD – Devaughn Hughson
  • 2nd AD – Justin Higgins
  • Dir of Photography – Hilda Mercado
  • Camera Op – Denise Bailie
  • 1st AC – A Camera Warren Brace
  • 1st AC – B Camera Stephan Cook
  • 2nd AC – Rose Ashikyan
  • DIT – Darnell Williams
  • VTR – Paul “Tre” James
  • Storyboard Artist – Tony Zollo
  • Gaffer – Ben Lambeth
  • Key Grip – Doug Davis
  • Swing – Andrew O’Berry
  • Sound Mixer – Peter Redding
  • Hair – Derrel Dabney
  • Hair – Lashae Cole
  • Make Up – Zavia Rawlins
  • Makeup – Teena Kim
  • Wardrobe – Stylist Troy Clinton
  • Catering – Angela Foster
  • Craft Service – Chelsia Green
  • PA – Nate Patterson
  • PA – Everett Johnson
  • PA – Francine Simon
  • PA – John Johnson Jr
  • PA – Ndeye Thioubou
  • PA – LeeAnn Chisolm
  • Photographer – Brittany Wages

This article was published April 3rd, 2016 by Mike Cooke. 

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