Tall Poppy

Released	February 2022
Duration	10 minutes
Director	Brian Henson
Written by	Liz Hara
Studio	The Jim Henson Company Thinkerbell CGU Insurance

Tall Poppy is a 10-minute short film produced by the Jim Henson Company and Jim Henson's Creature Shop for Australian company CGU Insurance in 2022. The short was directed by Brian Henson.

A five minute version of the film was made for television airing during the Australian version of 60 Minutes, as well as a fifteen second spot.

CGU Insurance partnered with ad agency Thinkerbell and the Henson Company to develop a short to address the cultural phenomenon wherein people hold back, criticize, or sabotage those who achieved notable success — commonly referred to as tall poppy syndrome. A 2021 CGU Insurance study found that "one in five Australians have either passed up an opportunity for fear of being seen as a 'tall poppy' or been a victim of the tall poppy syndrome." Younger generations were particularly effected by the syndrome.

The main character is Poppy, who represents the positive aspects of ambition and retains and shares it. Tabletop puppetry (using dozens of puppets) was combined with visual effects, provided by Stargate Studios.

“Tall Poppy is about celebrating ambition and facing the feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability that can get in the way of living to your fullest potential. The ambitious team that came together to create this film, brought together by our incredible partners at CGU Insurance, definitely saw the magic and innovation that can happen when everyone feels free to share their own unique talents. We hope that Poppy’s story will inspire Australians to celebrate their own tall poppies.”
—Brian Henson

Film

Credits

Poppy

Directed by: Brian Henson

Written by: Liz Hara

Producers: Vince Raisa, Brian Henson, Rita Peruggi

Co-producer: Melissa Creighton

Associate producers: Megan Hope Ross, Gigi Bebowl

Puppeteers: Paul McGinnis, Amanda Maddock, Liz Hara, Drew Massey, Nicolette Santino, Adrian Rose Leonard, Kevin Clash, Artie Esposito, Christian Anderson

Puppet Supervisor: Scott Johnson

Puppets provided by: The Jim Henson New York Creature Shop -- Jason Weber, Melissa Creighton, Joseph Roddy

Puppets and costumes: Delassie Gadzanku, Erin Black, Mary Brehmer, Jamie Bressier, Victoria Ellis, Joel Gennari, Brian Haimes, Rollie Krewson, Camille Labarre, Nicolino Dante, Rose Labarre, Laura Manns, Gerlan Marcel, Jeremy Nocon, Constance Peterson, Kenneth Rainey, Stephen Rotondaro, Sierra Schoening, Polly Smith, Keely Snook

Sources

Brian Henson directing the film

External links

• 15-second spot
• 5-minute cut
• 10-minute "extended" cut
• Behind the Scenes #1 | Behind the Scenes #2