The Gentleman Shaver
Director Ben Briand fuses silent film style with a modern approach for BBDO. BBDO New York recently commissioned Australian director Ben Briand to bring a unique series of short films to life. Due to the overwhelming reach of Briand's previous short films, Apricot and Some Static Started, the agency was keen to get Briand onboard for their client The Art Of Shaving. Based out of New York, the client's aesthetic is a throwback to the 1950's and 60's when a straight razor was common place. The result is three wry and amusing short films that evoke the charm and style of remerging masculinity. Produced by USA production company The Institute, founded by Michael Bay and Scott Gardenhour, the films have recently been made available in Australia online and in the back seat of just about every cab in NYC. Working with wardrobe designer Amy Westcott (Black Swan, The Wrestler) and cinematographer Eigil Bryld (In Bruges, Barry Levinson's You Don't Know Jack starring Al Pacino) Briand applied his distinct aesthetic whilst evoking the signatures of black and white cinema. "We looked at restrained elements of Godard, physical comedy by W.C. Fields and everything in between. But, at the end of the day my crew and I wanted to create something that was also somewhat modern in the way it felt." Briand was named one of the 10 industry faces to watch in 2011 by Encore Magazine. For commercial projects, Ben is represented by Prodigy Films in Australia, The Institute in USA & Moonwalk Films in Paris
Director - Ben Briand benbriand.com twitter.com/ben_briand Cinematography - Eigil Bryld eigilbryld.com Wardrobe Design - Amy Westcott imdb.com/name/nm0922492 Production Design - Kiki Giet kikigiet.com Editor - Michael Saia jumpny.tv Producer Kati Haberstock theinstitute.tv