The directorial duo of Michel+Nico has joined Believe Media as their first venture into commercial representation outside their native France (where they are represented by Bandit.) Believe is handling the directing brothers in the U.S. and U.K.
The Honest Player, a short film for Gillette and Grey London featuring international rugby star George North, broke at the end of January to a flurry of press attention in the U.K. It was followed just two days later by the release of a three-minute web film produced directly for Mercedes starring a big wave surfer. Both feature the hallmarks of a Michel+Nico production: storytelling with documentary content, accompanied by inspired visuals.
“To have two such strong pieces to launch them with–this is like a total eclipse and that rarely happens,” said James Covill, executive producer of Believe’s London office, which produced the Gillette spot. “I just love their life stories, and they possess an energy and passion that is rarely seen,” he adds.
The brothers are notable for more than their directing talent. Both are former rugby players themselves. Michel also is a former social worker and Nico an architect–unique backgrounds for any commercial director. Their directing journey began just three years ago, when they taught themselves to film and edit short films and documentaries. They went on to work for such clients as Orange TV, Red Bull TV, Eurosport and several professional sports clubs, which has made up their reel until now.
“There is no more organic way of learning the language of film than our journey,” said Michel about their experience. “We were these guys with cameras in our hands, always in search of creativity. It took us a while before we realized that we really were directors.”
The duo joins a Believe roster long known for its standout work in commercials and music videos. Michel+Nico are the newest addition to Believe’s cadre of storytelling directors such as Bruno Aveillan, Floria Sigismondi and Zack Snyder.
“Michel+Nico have exploded on the scene in their own humble way,” said Believe co-founder Luke Thornton. “It’s an honor for us to play a part in growing their directing careers here in the US as well as in the U.K.”
As An Exec Producer and Actor, Sterling K. Brown Finds “Paradise”
As an executive producer and star of the new Hulu series "Paradise," Sterling K. Brown put the hours of TV he watches to good use and cast actors he admires.
"I got a chance to hire people that I am a fan of," said Brown in a recent interview. "I remember meeting Julianne Nicholson at the Emmys the year that she won for 'Mare of Easttown.' I was so geeked out that I got a chance to be in the same room with her ... Now I get to be on a show with her."
Brown is known for his role as Randall in the series "This Is Us," which ended in 2022. He was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in "American Fiction." In "Paradise," Brown is a Secret Service agent to James Marsden's president of the United States. A shocking murder is revealed shortly into the first episode which unspools a deeper mystery beyond just whodunit.
"When James became available, I was like, 'please.' I had just finished watching 'Jury Duty' and this dude is so funny." "Paradise," said Brown, is an opportunity for Marsden "to show something that a lot of people haven't had a chance to see him do."
Marsden says Brown is one of Hollywood's good guys.
"He's one of the most graceful, generous, good human beings that I've been fortunate to meet in this business. He's so humble and cares so much about not only his work, but the people around him. He wants everybody to be great. When I think of people I need to be more like, it's this man."
"Paradise" has themes of climate change, privilege and the pecking order of who in society gets saved during an emergency. There's a relevance to the series which Brown says is coincidental because Dan Fogelman — creator and writer of "This is Us" — conceived "Paradise" 10 years ago. It makes sense to him though why it... Read More