Tell us a bit about your organization and what your specialty is in the film and video space.
We create “comedy with heart” and our main space for that is filmmaking! Wr write, direct, produce and act in film – not just comedy, but creating clean comedy with heart is what we love to do most!
What is your organization’s ethos and how does it set you apart from industry competitors?
Experts in Comedy That Actually Lands:
With backgrounds in professional improv, sketch, and comedic storytelling, we know how to craft humor that’s smart, engaging, and on-brand—not just jokes for the sake of jokes. Our experience with Oddity Improv and extensive work in comedy ensure your commercial will make people laugh and make them remember your brand.
Proven Track Record in Comedy & Commercial Work:
As filmmakers and content creators, we’ve worked on everything from digital shorts to full-scale productions, blending cinematic quality with comedic timing.
Cinematic Meets Viral-Worthy:
We bring the quality of film with the shareability of online content. Whether it’s for broadcast, social media, or web campaigns, we create visually engaging, high-energy commercials that don’t just look good—they get watched, shared, and remembered.
A Dynamic Duo with a Collaborative Approach:
With Chris Guerra and Kelsey Cooke, you get two experienced directors who balance precision and playfulness. We thrive on collaboration—both with each other and with brands—to craft commercials that feel authentic to your voice while standing out from the crowd.
Actors & Directors Who Know How to Work With Talent:
Since we’re performers ourselves, we know how to direct actors and pull the best comedic performances out of any talent—whether they’re trained professionals or real people representing your brand.
We Understand Brands & Audiences:
Having worked with big-name brands, influencers, and online platforms, we know how to craft commercials that align with your company’s identity while still feeling fresh, funny, and built to engage your audience.
Over 800K Followers Worth of ExperienceL
We’ve built a massive online audience by creating comedy that resonates. We know what works, what gets clicks, shares, and engagement, and how to shape your commercial for maximum impact.
How can people join or learn more about what you do?
Yes! thisishardtoreadprod.com or @thisishardtoreadprod, or @kelseycookeofficial and @chriswguerra
Tell us about your Telly Award winning piece. What’s the story behind it?
Chris Guerra’s Facebook Marketplace Nightmares – we are a married couple working in the entertainment industry together. We were on an episode of The Price is Right during the pandemic and won prizes which came on a shipping palette – Chris didn’t know what to do with it so I said “put it up on FB Marketplace for free” which he did, and proceeded to get WEIRD messages from people who wanted it. “What color is it?” “What do you use it for?” “How much for the bookcase” – Because we were both in sketch comedy (he was an artistic director and Main Company member of The Groundlings in Hollywood at the time) we had tons of wigs laying around, and I said “you need to get a wig, and play both characters: the crazy lady and you, being you- the ‘normal’ guy or the seller”. And that’s what he did as his first-ever TikTok video. He posted it and went to bed, and when we woke up it had over a million views and kept going! So he kept doing them and it got even more popular, he grew incredibly fast.
@chriswguerra Screenshots at end. Real conversation. Facebook Marketplace Nightmares: Hunger Games Cardboard Stand #hungergames #comedyskit #facebookmarketplace #drama – thanks to @Grace
What are you most proud of about this piece? What was your biggest challenge during production and how did you solve it?
Its always cool to get to collaborate together as a couple, and this is no different. But the coolest thing is how much our kids want to be involved too, how proud THEY are. They think its the funniest things and beg Chris to be on one with him, which they have done. My kids have even created their own, video taping themselves and writing their own “FB Marketplace Nightmares” its really cute. The most challenging thing is sorting through all the submissions. He gets thousands of them and we wish we could afford to hire someone to go through them and sort the bad from the good. We always want to stay clean and he gets some pretty nasty ones, you wouldn’t believe. It takes a lot more time than people think to find a really funny one he can make come to life.
Do you have any advice to other filmmakers based on your career or your team’s approach to work?
Don’t overthink it. Great storytelling isn’t about having the best or latest gear, or having the best editing skills. Don’t wait to create. Use the tools and the skillset you have right now. Someone right now needs what you have in your heart or mind, so don’t withhold that gift.
Can you share a behind the scenes story or fun fact about the making of your piece?
We shoot them in all kinds of places, if we are traveling in hotel rooms or other peoples homes, in our own home, etc. He started using so many of my own closet pieces I made him go out and buy clothes, hats, glasses, etc so he would stop using mine, haha. Now I shop in the ladies section for scarves and things for my husband, hahaha.
Tell us about the most memorable response you got from this work.
We have gotten a few direct messages and comments about how his videos brought joy in a very dark place in peoples lives. The world is a hard place to live in right now, and its our main goal to bring more joy into this world. These videos have done that for countless people, as silly as they are. They provide a desperate moment of escape for people who need it. We have heard of fans with unimaginable loss, grieving and depression, and Chris’ videos are a light that shines bright in darkness.
Complete this sentence: ‘Great video storytelling is…’
… bringing hope into a hopeless world.
