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New York’s last analog travel agency is about to undergo a modern transformation in a five-part series of mockumentary micro-shorts for Banana Republic. 

Starring four distinctly stylish versions of comedian Jack Innanen as several agency employees and actress and comedian Taylor Ortega as a representative from “corporate,” the project from COPE Global and Grand Nature reintroduces the classic brand through a playful narrative told through a contemporary social media lens. 

Looking to honour and reconnect with its legacy of adventure, Banana Republic turned to COPE to build a TikTok-first miniseries that celebrated the retailer’s timeless aesthetic. From there, COPE brought on Grand Nature to help shape a culturally relevant story and execute the vision with a strong New York-inspired point of view. 

Grand Nature enlisted frequent collaborators writer / director Jeffrey Scotti Schroder and legendary indie film cinematographer Sean Price Williams. The resulting microseries seamlessly juxtaposes Williams’ trademark handheld camera work with 70s-inspired set design, weaving in visual cues that pay homage to Banana Republic history. Adding another layer to the story, the project’s actual crew, production team, and agency play fictionalized versions of themselves (as ‘Banana Republic Productions’) in a meta behind-the-scenes element, further entertaining audiences while incorporating a wide variety of Banana Republic apparel.

Banana Republic – The Agency

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End to end, the project took about two weeks to complete, including a one-day shoot. 

“Part of Grand Nature’s secret sauce is to bring an episodic approach to projects when it makes sense. We’re able to build curated writer’s rooms with some of the most influential comedians and writers working in TV. This process can transform even the smallest kernel of an idea into polished scripts that map to the creative ambition of the work. This allows us to then create content that feels authentic, relevant, and entertaining,” explained Brianna Sedor, CCO / EP, Grand Nature. 

“Banana Republic was a great partner, and this was a fun and rewarding collaboration. Collaborating closely with COPE, we developed snappy punchlines that introduce Banana Republic’s new vision for the brand, quickly bringing the micro-series to life with the help of an incredible team of writers and comedians.” 

“This is exactly why we set up Grand Nature: to create original IP that audiences actually want to see,” said Chris Abitbol, Founder / EP, Grand Nature. “COPE has the vision to champion that kind of work, and we’re proud to help bring it to life with them.”

Grand Nature and members of COPE previously partnered on creating microdrama The Scene, starring Rachel Sennott, for Marc Jacobs, as well as The Swap, which featured appearances by Jemima Kirk, Jeremy O’Harris, and Rowan Blanchard. Steeped in New York culture, the entertainment-driven initiative marked a bold new creative direction for the luxury brand rolling out earlier this year across social channels. 

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