For any artist suffering through that cavernous dry spell of creativity, the new short film “A Whole Artist” is just what may drag you out of that bottomless pit of despair. Reminiscent of those documentary-style artist portraits you’d find on the BBC, the short (selected by the Academy-Award Qualifying deadCenter Film Festival & premiered at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival) follows a once esteemed artist Jacque Beckside (AJ Lubecker) who took inspiration from his mentor, “soup and chowder” painter Van Stopp (Ross Kelly).
Of course, like many young talents, Beckside goes viral too soon, and is caught off guard by what would happen next. Just when creative juices were bursting forth, the artist finds his work completely misunderstood by the public, including art buyers (Aaron Branch). Unable to get past the creative blockage, the artist’s associates, including gallery owner and confidante, Cherko (Teruko Nakajima), plead with him to produce more of the same work that catapulted him to success. It’s not until a hidden secret is uncovered by his assistant (Avery Lee) that the tide turns. Enjoy this gentle skewering of all that is ridiculous about the art world!
Also featuring Liz Fitzgerald & Pablo Hernandez. Written and directed by AJ Lubecker, produced by Annie Schmittgens, narrated by Maria Bamford, design by Lana Dvorak, edited by Michael Ray, music composition by Zach Marsh, sound recording by Karl Soelter, camerawork by Nando Negrete, gaffer Taylor Balfour, post sound design by Colin Yarck, & colorist work by Meg Weck.
Enjoy!
Mentions: Watch more hilarity on the channel. Feed the beast.