Filmmaking duo BLOK have directed a hard-hitting short film for Novelist's No Weapons. The dramatic promo depicts the devastating impact gun and knife-crime can have on the people involved and the community around them. Following Kasey McKellar (Top Boy 2) as Dylan, we watch his life-shattering story unfold as he is exposed to a gun through a close friend, before ultimately being killed by his own weapon. 

The video was written, directed and shot by Paul Casey and Richard Jobson - aka BLOK - who took time away from making commercials to focus on this incredibly impactful and emotional film, as it carries such an important and relevant message.

“When Novelist approached us to work on the promo for ‘No Weapons’, we saw a great opportunity to tell a powerful and important message at a time where it has never been more pertinent," comment Casey and Jobson. "Rather than a music promo, we wanted to make a short film with Novelist’s music as the soundtrack.”

Jobson also served as DOP on the project, employing lighting to elevate the dark and moody feel of the visual. Furthermore, in addition to using their regular commercial crew on the six-day shoot, BLOK reached out to The Prince’s Trust to offer work placements to young people who have been personally affected by weapons violence, and who wanted to get into the film industry but didn’t know how. Such as Shanelle, a Prince's Trust volunteer, who says:

“I have been around gun and knife crime and have been affected by it personally. The film has a very important message to spread, and has been expressed so artistically that hopefully it can act as a deterrent in some way.” 

The track and film are very personal to Novelist, as he knows the effects of weapons violence all too well… “I trusted BLOK to create a visual representation of No Weapons and to tell the common story of war on the streets of London and the reality that death is often as a result of bad decisions," he says. "I was shaken after they showed me the final edit…it’s a truly moving film with a very important and powerful message.” 

BLOK have recently signed to Dark Energy for commercial representation. Their EP, Liz Kessler comments, "We’re very excited to be working with this fresh, talented duo, who can move effortlessly between a hard hitting music video such as this and their commercial work, which shows their innovative flare for humour paired with striking, Wes Anderson inspired art direction.'