The film was written with a keen eye for observation and detail around modern advertising's grueling approval process, deftly capturing the dozens of subtle and not-so-subtle ways that creative work is made worse or outright killed. The casting, costuming, art direction, makeup and hair-styling were all pain-stakingly researched to be perfectly accurate to the 1880’s and 1930’s.

People have been decrying the “death of creativity” for decades, but that call has only gotten louder as the barriers to producing great work seem to be getting larger every year. “Museum-Worthy” captures an unspoken frustration many people in the creative industry have been feeling.

Work that wins at the AICP Awards enters the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, alongside legendary artists like Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Picasso, etc.

Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and Frida Kahlo’s “Fulang-Chang and I” are renowned works that are considered artistic masterpieces.

“Museum-Worthy” is a short film that imagines historical scenes of Van Gogh & Kahlo attempting to get their masterpieces - “Starry Night” & “Fulang–Chang & I” - through modern-day advertising’s grueling & frustrating approval process, ultimately resolving with a super:

It’s hard to create museum worthy art.

It’s harder to create museum worthy ads.

We were tasked with driving entries to AICP Awards. In a sea of awards shows, AICP stands out because winning work earns entry to the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, alongside artists like Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Picasso, etc.

All four scenes of this long form story were shot in only one day on two Alexa 35s with vintage Cooke anamorphic lenses that offered an authentic film look. Film grain was added in post.

Period accurate production design and location scouting provided a setting that passed for both Europe in the 1800s and Mexico in the 1940s and avoided a timely company move. Great attention was paid to period costuming, hair and make up.

Much of the dialogue was improvised during casting and on set between director and talent. Performances were kept understated in juxtaposition to the absurd script.