Canon U.S.A., Inc., is showcasing YouTube video creator and anti-bullying advocate Anna Akana as its latest Canon Rebel With A Cause, an ongoing campaign conceived by a creative team at Grey New York. Since first sharing her personal story on YouTube after her sister’s suicide as a result of bullying, Akana has used comedy as her own form of therapy. Her ability to put a unique spin on typically uncomfortable topics led Canon to select her as a Rebel With A Cause, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the first EOS Rebel SLR camera. Her cause focuses on deploying comedy to build confidence in youth who have been bullied, and this video of her cause was shot entirely on Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR cameras.

Along with The Groundlings comedy troupe, she worked with bullied teenagers ranging in ages from 13 to 17 to teach them how to use the power of humor to face their fears and confidently use their personal experiences as the basis for their own comedic material. Anthony DeCarolis of Grey’s Townhouse directed the video which is titled “Rebel With A Cause–Anna Akana.”

Credits

Client Canon Agency Grey NY Andreas Dahlqvist, chief creative officer; Darren Moran, head of innovation; Anthony DeCarolis, group creative director; Natalie Rose, Pieter Melief, associate creative directors/copywriters; Rodrigo Burdman, Andrew Barrett, associate creative directors/art directors; Jimmy Fowlie, Ariane Price, The Groundlings writers; Steve House, strategy director; Sarika Patel, strategist; Elizabeth Valleau, lead creative director, Activation and PR. Executive Production Townhouse Bennett McCarroll, Townhouse president; James McPherson, director of integrated production; Lauren Tuttman, producer; Jacob Herman, assistant producer; Zachary Pollakoff, music producer. Production Company Townhouse Studios, NY Anthony DeCarolis, director; David Vollrath, DP; Jesus Sepulveda, editor; Dante Desole, music sound design.

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