11x HUMAN - A short film commissioned by AKOO.

It’s rare that a piece of advertising transcends its primary purpose and evolves into a much needed piece of social commentary, depicting and discussing the troubled times in which we live, and in so doing, provides essential nourishment for the mind. Commissioned by clothing label AKOO and directed by John Merizalde (no stranger to DN’s pages), 11x HUMAN holds a soul searching mirror up to the emotionally charged issues of racism, crime within the black community and the hot button topic of police brutality, leaving the viewer thinking long and hard well after the credits roll. DN asked Merizalde to guide us through the production process which resulted in one of the most powerful and timely pieces of filmmaking to hit the web this year.

Read more about the film here: directorsnotes.com

Directed By John Merizalde

Cinematography by Kristian Zuñiga

Narrated by Michael “Killer Mike” Render

Executive Producers: Tip "T.I." Harris, Jason Geter, Ralph Reynolds, Sabai Burnett and David Kwon Kim

Producers: David Kwon Kim and Brandon Smith

Production Managers: Grey Clawson and Garrett Coyte

First Assistant Camera: Daniel Guadalupe

B-Camera Operator: Erin Murray

Steadicam Operator: Mark Sunderland

Gaffer: Alex Allgood

Key Grip: Austin English

Art Director: Addie Babcock

Hair & Makeup: Desi Davis

Wardrobe Stylist: Kellye Barnes

Production Assistant: Jae Desouza

Production Assistant: Courtney Wallace

Editor: Andrew Litten

Composer: Patrick Canaday

Additional Music: NEVR and Watermark High

Sound Design: Matt Dunaway

Color: David Torcivia

Special Thanks

ATL Bike Life

Blue Flame Lounge

Cascade Family Skating

Columbus Ward and the Rick McDevitt Youth Center

HD Planet Cameras

Jeremy Miller

Kirsten Daniel

Matt Swinsky

Pro 8mm