Director Michael Illick Signs to Arts & Sciences for U.S. Representation

Director Michael Illick has signed with production company Arts & Sciences for U.S. representation.

Illick is a man of many talents, the most notable, perhaps, being his knack for bringing the ridiculous and surreal to life. He began his career in advertising as a copywriter for agencies including Wieden + Kennedy, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, where he cut his teeth writing for brands like Old Spice, Oreo, and Footlocker. He first translated his ideas to the screen with the encouragement of his pal and former directing-partner, David Shafei and has been hooked ever since.

The first spot he directed is the short film “Oreo Separator Machines,” starring David Neevel.

Shortly after he worked on a film the length of the flight from Newark to San Francisco (five hours and 45 minutes) called “BLAH” out of Eleven for Virgin Airlines, which premiered at the Dallas International Film Festival and achieved the goal of becoming the most boring film on YouTube at the time. He then went to work with Harold Einstein at Dummy.

Illick is quick to list luck as having played a major role in his career; but more so than luck, it’s his talent, quick-wit and attention to the craft, that packs the biggest punch. Notable work includes directing Old Spice and Verizon campaigns for Wieden+Kennedy, delightfully odd spots for Fruit by the Foot created by Erich & Kallman, a work out video with Sasquatch and Clay Matthews for Jack Links, and a dreamy spot for Oscar Mayer entitled “Wake Up and Smell the Bacon”.

“I like to say that I googled ‘production company’ and, being at the top of the alphabet, Arts & Sciences just seemed like the easiest choice,” jokes Michael Illick. “The easy part is true, it was an easy decision to say yes to signing on with Mal Ward and Marc Marrie, but the reality is that I’ve been a fan of the folks over at A&S since I was a copywriter. I’ve always enjoyed the times we worked together and so admire the other directors on their roster; it’s a great privilege to be joining the ranks.” 

“Michael has an original voice and vision that comes through on any project he tackles," says Mal Ward, Managing Director of Arts & Sciences, “and brings a strong visual sensibility to comedically driven work that just feels fresh."

Michael Illick and Arts & Sciences are represented on the West Coast by Dexter Randazzo and Aaron Friedland at The Department of Sales, in the Midwest by Mary Kate Hatfield at MKH Representation; and on the East Coast by Tara Averill, John Robertson and Erin Wahed at Representation Co.