Bicoastal production company Valiant Pictures has signed U.K.-based directing duo BRAIN WASH TV (BWTV)–consisting of Ryan Vernava and Liam Karim Achaïbou–for their first U.S. commercial representation. Fusing Vernava’s live-action filmmaking prowess with Achaïbou’s graphic design acumen, BWTV counts among their collaborators artists like Tom Jones, Bonobo and Bastille, and brands such as Reebok, Red Bull and GucciGhost, among others.
Valiant Pictures executive producer Matthew D’Amato noted, “My business partner Vincent Lin and I have long been connected with Ryan and Liam and love their quality creative and work ethic. We’re excited to finally collaborate together on inventive branded content for amazing clients.”
In a joint statement, BWTV shared, “We’re very excited to finally be working with Matt and Vince over in the U.S, it has been a long time coming and they are just the best people. We can’t wait to join their roster of unbelievably great storytellers and bring our own brand of weird to an exciting new market.”
Vernava brought his passion for drama and film to the U.K.’s world-renowned National Film & Television School where he undertook award-winning commercial and film projects and met Achaïbou, self-taught in all things film, photography and tech, though landing at uni with an early love for graphic design. The BRAIN WASH collaboration began as an indie film event the pair hosted while in school, evolving into their moniker for crafting live event visuals for film and music festivals, and tours.
Fresh from school, the two easily segued to directing projects for music videos and ads, as well as designing film and television title sequences. Their collaboration with Liam Gallagher for the poignant “Too Good For Giving Up” music video quickly achieved viral status on Twitter and TikTok, and among celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Louis Tomlinson, due to the song’s crucial messaging surrounding men’s mental health and the video’s raw and powerful visual imagery.
