No one needs to be told that gun violence in America has become all too common. So common, that people are growing numb to it. Instead of seeing victims as individuals, we often see them as statistics. Another headline in today’s news.
To address the notion of gun violence in America, we worked with Everytown for Gun Safety to promote their third annual "Wear Orange Day." Wear Orange Day began after 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed on a Chicago playground. Wear Orange is the legacy her friends created to keep Hadiya's memory alive.
Can You See Me Now? tells Hadiya Pendleton's story through the eyes of her parents and brings it to light as just one example of the many lives we’ve lost and continue to lose to gun violence.
Can You See Me Now?
Can You See Me Now? saw over 1.2 million views on Facebook alone and generated conversations about gun violence across America. Furthermore, the Wear Orange campaign was featured in The New York Times, US Magazine, and People Magazine. People all over the country participated in the day, including some familiar faces like:
The video took home two Shortys 🥇
Bronze Distinction in Social Good Campaign and Audience Honor in Social Good Campaign.
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Art direction: Shannon Stull
Despite our best efforts, Everytown for Gun Safety returned to us for a second year. Because gun violence in America didn’t go away. It got worse.
So, we teamed up with Everytown for Gun Safety to create a second video for "Wear Orange Day." As a result, we created “Silence Is Not An Option” a sobering reminder to Americans to make their voices heard, in the name of those who no longer can.
Silence is not an option :30
*Note:
Ultimately, after producing this piece, we chose not to air it as a precautionary measure against causing more pain for the gun violence victims that Wear Orange supports.
It’s one thing to see an idea in storyboards, but when it came to life with sound and editing, it hit a bit too close to home. I respect the organization’s choice, but remain proud of the work.
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Art direction: Kristen Guiliano, Richee Chang