ARRIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

TitleARRIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT
BrandGeorge at Asda
Product/ServiceSchool uniform
Category A03. Casting
Entrant IMPERO DESIGN LTD London, UNITED KINGDOM
Idea Creation IMPERO DESIGN LTD London, UNITED KINGDOM
Media Placement SPARK FOUNDRY London, UNITED KINGDOM
PR ASDA George Lutterworth, UNITED KINGDOM
Production IMPERO DESIGN LTD London, UNITED KINGDOM
Production 2 ARMOURY London, UNITED KINGDOM
Post Production CHEAT London, UNITED KINGDOM
Additional Company ASDA George Lutterworth, UNITED KINGDOM
Credits
Name Company Position
Michael Scantlebury Impero Executive Creative Director
Alastair Mills Impero Creative Director
Zara Bennet Impero Art Director
Clare Thomson Impero Agency Producer
Ato Yankey Armoury Director
Kwame 'Kz' Kwei-Armah Jnr. Freelance Music Producer
Jon Mobbs Impero Business Director
Charlotte Willcocks Impero Head of Strategy
Ginny Wilson Impero Senior Account Manager
Longbin Li Impero Design Director

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

In the style of a UK Drill music video and strictly featuring kids only, this ad focuses on the pre-9am moment, on that first day back in September, when no matter who you are, what you’re into, or where you live, you can crash through those school gates with unfettered confidence and swagger that only kids can own. We open on a young girl, stepping through with the confidence of a global superstar rapper, spitting the first bars of the George Back to School ad with an energy that drives the film forward. As the film continues we move through the playground, meeting other school kids who pick up the rap, singing about the fresh new school gear they have for their first day back to school, what they plan to do, and the positive attitude they’ll bring to the new school year.

Cultural / Context information for the jury

In the UK, going back-to-school for the new academic year is a big moment for children and parents alike. However, like many other countries, British schools had been blighted by 18 months of closing, reopening and closing again. In addiction, the quality of home schooling was wildly different depending on the school. It’s no surprise that parents and kids were desperate to go back to school, (this time hopefully with no more interruptions). UK Drill is a style of music influenced by the US and re-invented with a very British sound. It’s a style of music that prides itself on authenticity and loyalty. It’s growing in broad popularity and tends to be created and delivered by large groups of young people. Their music video style tends to feature these groups in gritty, real life locations.

Tell the jury about the casting process.

First and foremost, we wanted to reflect modern Britain in all its multi-cultural glory, as well as needing a lead cast who had the raw talent and sense of rhythm to rap. We also wanted our wider cast members to have genuine talents that they could bring to the playground. For example, the ability to do stunts on a scooter, play wheelchair basket ball or dance. The humour was dependent on the attitude and confidence of the kids, so that meant casting people who weren’t just actors, but were happy being themselves in front of camera. We appointed a director, and casting director who had a proven rapport with kids, and they searched not just in the usual places, but youth centres, youth groups and across social media. The fun of the process paved the way for a fun shoot that got the best out of their performances.