Fackrell Brothers

There is soooo much incredible behind the scenes material for our latest PSA “ONE STEP FORWARD”, but what we want to share won’t fit here, so we’re splitting this into three posts! The time, talent and artistry the entire production and post production teams put into creating this PSA for is so inspiring! We cannot thank every single one of the crew enough for taking part of one the most incredible film shoots we’ve ever had. THANK YOU!! And thank you to our actor/veteran Hugh McCrae and our veterans s***e Arielle Alessi. We tried to post this in time for , so we’ll keep this first post short so we can fit in as many credits as possible. We still need to tag everyone add in a few more members of the crew :) It is such an honor to create work that supports our Veterans and anyone going through a difficult time ❤️

“ONE STEP FORWARD”
Veteran:
Veteran S***e: Arielle Alessi
Production Company: FACKRELL BROTHERS 
Client: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Agency: Reingold
Directors/Exec. Producers: Matthew and Nathan Fackrell 
Creative Director/Writer: Neil Bruce
Producer: Valerie Thomas
Head of Production: Michelle Taylor
Cinematographer: Larry Fong, ASC. 
Production Designer: Damon Fortier
1st AD: Jeff Erwin
VFX Supervisor: Joel Fox 
Location Manager: Roger Barth
Veteran Advisor: David Daitch 
Costumer: Susie Carlson
Script Supervisor: Brooke Bird
Production Sound: Dan Kelly
Hair/Makeup: Oasis Nguyen
DIT: Robert Howie
Set Photographer: Mike Moriatis
BTS Photographer: Tommy Ottley
Medic: Mark Maunder
Post Supervisor: Anabelle LeMieux
Editor: Matthew Fackrell
VFX: Tarik Saran
VFX (additional): Brent Johnson
Color: FOTOKEM 
Colorist: Claire Iannelli 
Color Producer: Jose Parra
Sound Design: Brian Emrich 
Music:
Filmed on ARRI cameras
Casting: Laurie Records Casting

MINIATURE TEAM
Decorator: Elizabeth Nakane
Set Dresser: Joseph Brunelle
Set Dresser: Gabriel Aguilar
Set Dresser: Jordan Stakland
Leadman: Kyle Baker
Production Designer: Damon Fortier

IN LOVING MEMORY OF KeAli’i Johnson

There is soooo much incredible behind the scenes material we want to share that won’t fit here, so we’re splitting this into three posts! The time, talent and artistry the entire production and post production crews put into creating this PSA for is so inspiring! We cannot thank every single one of the crew enough for taking part of one the most incredible film shoots we’ve ever had. THANK YOU!! And thank you to our actor/veteran Hugh McCrae and our veterans s***e Arielle Alessi. We tried to post this in time for , so we’ll keep this first post short so we can fit in as many credits as possible. We still need to tag everyone add in a few more members of the crew :)

“ONE “STEP FORWARD
Veteran:
Veteran S***e: Arielle Alessi
Production Company: FACKRELL BROTHERS 
Client: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Agency: Reingold
Directors/Exec. Producers: Matthew and Nathan Fackrell 
Creative Director/Writer: Neil Bruce
Producer: Valerie Thomas
Head of Production: Michelle Taylor
Cinematographer: Larry Fong, ASC. 
Production Designer: Damon Fortier
1st AD: Jeff Erwin
VFX Supervisor: Joel Fox 
Location Manager: Roger Barth
Veteran Advisor: David Daitch 
Costumer: Susie Carlson
Script Supervisor: Brooke Bird
Production Sound: Dan Kelly
Hair/Makeup: Oasis Nguyen
DIT: Robert Howie
Set Photographer: Mike Moriatis
BTS Photographer: Tommy Ottley
Medic: Mark Maunder
Post Supervisor: Anabelle LeMieux
Editor: Matthew Fackrell
VFX: Tarik Saran
VFX (additional): Brent Johnson
Color: FOTOKEM 
Colorist: Claire Iannelli 
Color Producer: Jose Parra
Sound Design: Brian Emrich 
Music:
Filmed on ARRI cameras
Casting: Laurie Records Casting

MINIATURE TEAM
Decorator: Elizabeth Nakane
Set Dresser: Joseph Brunelle
Set Dresser: Gabriel Aguilar
Set Dresser: Jordan Stakland
Leadman: Kyle Baker
Production Designer: Damon Fortier

IN LOVING MEMORY OF KeAli’i Johnson

We’re happy to finally share the four most recent commercial PSAs we directed for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that are currently airing nationwide. Each spot addresses the critical issues surrounding substance use disorder, highlighting the serious risks of fentanyl and the ways the VA can support the health and safety of our nation’s veterans and anyone else either on the road to recovery or in need of support. The VA is very courageous and wanted to do breakthrough work for this important issue and we took that creative challenge to heart. It was an incredibly ambitious and complex undertaking, especially with only five days to film all four spots, but It’s the kind of work we dream of as directors – purpose-driven with multi-layered creative, bold visuals and thoughtful storytelling that connect to audiences with respect and originality. As with every VA campaign, each PSA stars actors, who are also veterans. They not only add the authenticity of experience and a deep connection to the work, but they also gave phenomenal performances. It was such an honor working with each of them and an absolute blast working with a talented creative crew led by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Bob Yeoman (a true artist) and production designer, Damion Fortier, who artfully tailored the set design with magical, razor-sharp precision. For over 10 years now we (Fackrell Brothers) have directed dozens of awareness PPSAs for the VA. It has been a very challenging, but exciting and deeply fulfilling experience that we truly hope can make a positive impact for the veteran community, and helped save lives.
Lastly, there are those of you reading this who may have family or close friends who are Veterans struggling and desperately need help. For you to share these films with them could mean everything, and encourage others to do the same. It’s very possible that lives can be saved with just a thought and a text or email.

FACKRELL BROTHERS are currently in post production finishing 6 upcoming commercial awareness campaigns that we were honored to direct. Fackrell Brothers have such an amazing team that we’re very thankful for, along with the wonderful cast and crew members we’ve worked with!

4 of the commercials were shot back to back in a five day period, it was a challenge but very rewarding .

The man behind the camera on the 4 spots was the astounding Director of Photography, Robert Yeoman, ASC.

It was such a pleasure working with Bob Yeoman, and everyone on the crew, and in the cast. They all went above and beyond, it was amazing to see and experience.

We are extremely thankful to all who were involved.

Two of the other campaigns were shot earlier by the always wonderful DP, Megan Stacy. - again back to back shoots, and she and the cast and crew were amazing. These two commercials are about to be released. Keep an eye out.

Post production has been intense. But overall, everything is coming together wonderfully.

The sixth commercial was shot all on greenscreen and is undergoing a vfx overhaul. No frames to show as of yet. And seeing Bob Yeoman work his magic operating the camera techno crane = 🎥✨

We’re really looking forward to sharing the very campaign’s that each have very important messages, we sincerely hope will inspire all those who watch.

FACKRELL BROTHERS UPDATE: Nathan had major (ALIF) spinal surgery this past Wednesday and will be back home today where he’ll spend the next three weeks recovering in bed and four more months on top of that re-learning how to tap dance for the ‘World Cup Clogging Is Better Than Tap’ competition! Drop him a kind note here or 🙏 Wishing him a speedy recovery!