| An exclusive interview with Will Robinson better known in Thailand’s for his music video hits.
Q: Can you share a little bit about yourself?
A: Yes I was born in England, I’m from a musical background, my mother a piano teacher, my brother a producer, three cousins who play guitars, my Uncle John was the first General Manager of the famous HMV in Oxford Street, London and my father joined Louis Armstrong on stage to sing Hello Dolly for charity at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. I grew up with Soul Music, I started promoting shows at 26 years old with Dougie James Thomas who had previously supported The Jackson Five and Frank Sinatra. I became a booking agent and started to build a roster with names like Leon Sayer, Tony Hadley, Liberty X and Gwen Dickey from Rose Royce. Gwen is godmother to my son William Junior. The legendary Tony Wilson advised me on my first record, but it wasn’t till I was working with Bee Gee “Robin Gibb” that I started writing. Robin loved my ideas, he encouraged me, in fact I found the hit single “Please” for his album Magnet on SPV, I worked with Robin for over a year. I’ve promoted over 150 Hit recording artists, and I developed my own label since in 2008.
Q: Why do you make music videos in Thailand?
A: Thailand is really a country of natural beauty that has a long history of a rich culture, I enjoy traveling in Thailand and I do this in my free time it’s a wonderful hobby, I feel I can make it appealing to everyone by producing my music videos attracting people who have really no knowledge of the country; additionally, making it very appealing for those people thinking about coming to Thailand for vacation.
Q: Can you share some of your frustrations or obstacles on getting your work done?
A: Um there’s really not any obstacles that stand in my way respectfully, the people of Thailand are incredibly gracious, accommodating, and amazingly friendly. Probably my biggest frustration is dealing with Mother Nature and the timing the beautiful sky’s activity. Ideally natural sunlight produces magic for videography lighting.
Q: What makes you to have this unique drive?
A: Ha ha you know honestly, I just love what I do, I just love creating something special and unique, it makes me want to do more, I’ve still got the bug for it, and I’ve been making these videos for nearly ten years.
Q: You must admit not everyone can do what you do especially your song writing skills?
A: I have to admit I’m often perplexed by my song writing too, somehow it just comes to me and when it does, I know it works. It just flows like the true feelings one has upon visiting this amazing country. On the second album I’ve been fortunate to been co-writing with Daniel, he’s a huge talent and we work together so well.
Q: Can you tell us your most favorite video?
A: Um I’m of course very proud of them all, but the Thailand Amazing Thailand video is extremely dear to me being it has now become the signature song of the country in a way with millions of views. It literally has gone viral and the audio to on social media.
Q: I recently watched your latest music video “Holiday “and never had known about the Royal Coast?
A: The Royal Coast name was labeled a long time ago but recently endorsed by the Thai officials upon my video highlighting this pristine area of beach’s (Holiday on the Royal Coast). The beaches all connected one another, one of the longest stretches of connected beaches in the planet, and they are empty, kinda like Monaco or Hawaii each of their beach areas have recognisable universal names like the North Shore as an example, this is The Royal Coast.
Q: I thought the actor and actress in Holiday really did an outstanding job how do you find your talent?
A: Yes, I’m very proud of Alvin and Bernz as well there was chemistry when I put them together and the results were remarkable; hence, movie magic was born! I found them in Bangkok from our auditions, both possess multiple talents (singer, dancer and terrific acting skills). A home run in the eyes of movie making.
Q: What would you say to the people first starting out having the ambitions like you for filming?
A: The main thing is to enjoy it, but you have to be determined especially in Thailand, good planning, patience and learn from your mistakes. The camera doesn’t lie.
Q: I’m sure that you’ve considered doing this in other countries?
A: Yes, oddly you should ask, I’ve given that some serious thought – we do have some ideas in other parts of Asia, but for now I prefer doing this in Thailand for its immense rich culture and scenic beauty; additionally, I’m welcomed by the people with kindness and open heartedness. It’s really something special to me.
A: What was your most difficult movie to make?
Q: Hands down was “Where the Eagles Fly”, a story about the globally recognised cave rescue of the 12 your thai soccer players and their coach that included rescue diver, hero and very dear friend Vern Unsworth. The movie involved working in extreme heat and humidity with insects and mud. Getting cameras and dancers through a jungle is something that I had no training for in school {jokingly}. But the biggest difficulty was getting me out of the cave after filming the flood water, I got stuck! Thanks to Vern MBE (Most Excellent Award from the British Empire) presented by the Queen of England, and his caving buddy they managed to get me out, but it wasn’t easy. It makes me very happy that people can see and appreciate the intensity of the area.
Q: Could you share more on how you come up with your ideas and getting your message across?
A: Chuckles you know traveling in Thailand it’s very hard not to be inspired, but honestly, I see a story that can be told by showing off all the unique visuals in Thailand – dancing, dress, locations, and sheer beauty. I just think that if I saw this for the first time it would make me want to visit the country.
Q: Could you elaborate a bit more please?
A: Yes, growing up in England and promoting famous music personalities there’s a secret lesson to learn, show your talent in the most professional manor and utilize music platforms and social media to grow your audience exponentially.
Q: Would you mind me asking if there’s a Mrs Robinson?
A: {Chuckles} at the moment no, my project is quite demanding in terms of travel and something I’m not sure I will appeal to many ladies, even though I have a few admirers, but one never knows what the future holds.
Q: Thank you very much for sharing with us today and Suuai News you’re truly an inspiration and are incredibly talented we wish the very best with your future projects and also the upcoming launch of “Flowers of Thailand” music video next Month.
A: Thank you very much for having me “jingle bells World Class!” |
