Crown and Manor: Interview with Rob Nicholl

Client: Crown and Manor Boys Club 
Commissioned by: Crown and Manor Club
Production Company: London Video Productions
Production Partner: Kumo London
Featured Talent: Rob Nicholl
Filming Location: Crown and Manor Boys Club, Haggerston, Hackney, East London, UK
Equipment: Sony FX7 with Zeiss SuperPrimes CP2 (85mm & 35mm)
Format: 16:9 for social delivery  

This standalone interview formed part of a wider documentary for Crown and Manor Boys Club, a historic youth charity based in East London.

Kumo London was commissioned to provide camera operation, lighting, and visual direction for an interview with former club member Rob Nicholl, whose story reflects the club’s impact on generations of young men in Hackney.

Nicholl now connected with Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR) speaks about how mentorship, football, and community helped steer him away from local gang culture and towards a future of purpose and leadership.

The shoot took place inside the club’s historic trophy room, capturing a raw yet dignified portrayal of resilience, gratitude and legacy.

STRATEGIC INSIGHT

This piece demonstrates Kumo London’s ability to deliver emotionally intelligent, character-led interviews that balance intimacy and strength.

The visual style rooted in natural lighting and clean composition reflects both the discipline and warmth of the subject, aligning with the club’s ethos of structure, guidance, and belonging.

By partnering with London Video Productions, Kumo London provided technical depth and emotional fluency to ensure the story landed with authenticity and community resonance.

WHY THIS MATTERS

At its core, this film is about the transformative power of environment and mentorship.

The Crown and Manor Boys Club has been a safe space for young people in East London since 1903, offering structure, sport, and guidance through the complexities of inner-city life.

For Kumo London, this project reaffirmed our belief in the importance of human-centred storytelling using craft, empathy, and precision to elevate voices that might otherwise go unheard.

It’s about showing that film can be both cinematic and socially grounded, capturing lived experience with integrity.

SERVICES PROVIDED

- Cinematography and lighting direction

- On-set camera operation and interview framing

- Visual and tonal guidance for the social edit

- Technical partnership and camera support for London Video Productions

- On-site coordination and collaboration with the Crown and Manor team

RELATED WORK

See more of our cinematic interviews work below:

- BBC Sounds - Jools Holland Interviews: Filmed at BBC Studios, this series of interviews with artists such as FKA Twigs, Joy Crookes, and Serge (Kasabian) showcases Kumo London’s approach to capturing intimate, authentic moments within fast-paced production environments.

- Allen & Overy - You and Me: A short branded film blending visual direction and storytelling to highlight human connection within corporate spaces, reflecting Kumo London’s cinematic approach to brand authenticity.

- The Booker Prize - C&G John Berger: The Black Panthers and the Booker, 50 Years On: A reflective short film exploring legacy, politics, and art in the Booker Prize’s 50th anniversary season, illustrating Kumo London’s ability to merge documentary depth with cultural commentary.

Need cinematography or interview coverage for your next documentary or community film?

Let’s shape it together. Get in touch with Kumo London.