Mill+ directors Ivo Sousa and Ross Urien used a mixture of live action shots, abstract-graphical shots (to interpret Picasso's emotions and feelings), archive footage (to set up the time and place in 1932), as well as artworks to showcase some of the content at the Tate exhibition.
They explain, 'We wanted to create a trailer which would not only reflect the scale of this particular exhibition at the Tate Modern, but also to be a stirring emotional device, a moving hook to the tile with the exhibition slogan, 'Love, Fame and Tragedy.'
1932 is been described as one of the biggest creative periods for Picasso's history, it is one of his best years of work and it was key for the Tate to make a film that compelled the viewer to go to the Tate in search of answers.
The tone of the film is emotional, intriguing and a surreal at times. We created a journey interconnecting the moments within 1932 that flow in and out of one another without having to keep a linear narrative.
We treated the trailer like it was Picasso's mind talking instead of an outsider's perspective. Some shots work as memories and flash backs coming from Picasso's mind, while others are historical context.
During the shoot we made many props and designs to depict the era. We designed posters and calendars to be used on the shoot as well as harlequin patterns on the CGI cloth shots.
Everything was curated to fit into the world of what we interpreted as Picasso's mind set in 1932.'