Director / Still Photographer / Casting: Rob Finch
Production Company: Blue Chalk
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy
Client: Gillette
Supervising Producer / Casting: Mitchell Tanen
Production Manager: Sebastián Wienberg
Producer / Casting: Whitney Bradshaw
Producer / Casting: Emma Decker
Director of Photography: Jason Greene
Director of Photography/Assistant Camera: Chris Janjic
Assistant Camera / Editor: Jesse Crowell
Director / Still Photographer / Casting: Rob Finch
Production Company: Blue Chalk
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy
Client: Gillette
Supervising Producer / Casting: Mitchell Tanen
Production Manager: Sebastián Wienberg
Producer / Casting: Whitney Bradshaw
Producer / Casting: Emma Decker
Director of Photography: Jason Greene
Director of Photography/Assistant Camera: Chris Janjic
Assistant Camera / Editor: Jesse Crowell
The Best Men Can Be
Derrick was a star high school football player who attended the University of Oregon expecting his life to continue "like a movie." Instead, he struggled with the pressures of Division 1 football in a way he hadn’t expected. He became severely depressed and even got to the point of considering taking his own life.
When he finally opened up to coaches and got help, it changed everything. He discovered that taking care of his mental health benefited every aspect of his life. After graduation, he made a video about his experience with depression that the university now shows to all incoming freshman athletes.
For Gillette's #BestMenCanBe campaign, we were looking for men who challenged traditional stereotypes about masculinity. Derrick's story, from isolation to advocacy, redefined strength.
The creative challenge was telling his story without access to game footage due to licensing restrictions with the NCAA. So we drove to Eugene with Derrick, and the University of Oregon let us onto the field at Autzen Stadium where he’d played. Being there, where his struggles had unfolded, became central to the film's approach.
The most revealing moments came watching Derrick walk across the field, recalling where he once felt so alone, but also recognizing it as the platform that now allows him to help other young people facing similar challenges.
The Best Men Can Be
Derrick was a star high school football player who attended the University of Oregon expecting his life to continue "like a movie." Instead, he struggled with the pressures of Division 1 football in a way he hadn’t expected. He became severely depressed and even got to the point of considering taking his own life.
When he finally opened up to coaches and got help, it changed everything. He discovered that taking care of his mental health benefited every aspect of his life. After graduation, he made a video about his experience with depression that the university now shows to all incoming freshman athletes.
For Gillette's #BestMenCanBe campaign, we were looking for men who challenged traditional stereotypes about masculinity. Derrick's story, from isolation to advocacy, redefined strength.
The creative challenge was telling his story without access to game footage due to licensing restrictions with the NCAA. So we drove to Eugene with Derrick, and the University of Oregon let us onto the field at Autzen Stadium where he’d played. Being there, where his struggles had unfolded, became central to the film's approach.
The most revealing moments came watching Derrick walk across the field, recalling where he once felt so alone, but also recognizing it as the platform that now allows him to help other young people facing similar challenges.