Bringing Languishing to Life: The Story Behind Our Work with Be Well Co.
Some projects feel different from the start. This was one of them.
Enter our recent project work - The Faces of Languishing | A Be Well Co. & Anniss+Barton Production
When Be Well Co. approached us to create content for their latest campaign, it wasn’t just about making something visually striking - it was about giving languishing a face.
Languishing is that stuck in the middle feeling - not thriving, not depressed, just existing. Turns out, 1 in 5 Australians feel this way, yet most don’t even realise it. Be Well Co’s latest research uncovered the true scale of the issue, and we had one clear challenge:
🔹 How do you show something that people struggle to describe?
The Approach
We knew this wasn’t about scripted performances or flashy visuals - it had to be real. So instead of actors, we worked with real people who had experienced languishing firsthand. We listened to their stories, their struggles, their moments of realisation.
The result? The Faces of Languishing - a series of videos that bring this invisible experience to life.
🎬 Watch the hero video here: https://youtu.be/ofQyqPEq71Y?si=ryslFsxfm7EHZ1ns
On Set: Real Stories, Real Emotions
Filming this project was different. There were no exaggerated performances, no overproduced moments - just raw, honest conversations.
Our talent - Luke, Tara, Enza, Thomas, and Joanne - opened up about their own experiences with languishing. Each story was unique, yet there was a common thread: a feeling of being stuck, unsure of how to move forward.
Hearing these stories firsthand changed how we saw the project. It wasn’t just about mental health awareness; it was about recognition - about putting a name to something so many people feel but don’t talk about.
The Bigger Picture
Languishing doesn’t just affect individuals - it impacts workplaces, relationships, and entire communities. Be Well Co’s latest report digs into the data, highlighting how it affects productivity, engagement, and long-term wellbeing.
The Research Behind It
the research behind languishing was led by Dr Joep van Agteren and Dr Matthew Iasiello
While we worked on bringing the stories to life, the research behind languishing was led by Dr Joep van Agteren and Dr Matthew Iasiello - two brilliant minds who have dedicated years to understanding mental wellbeing.
Their study followed 16,000 Australians over five years, uncovering the widespread impact of languishing - not just on individuals, but in workplaces, relationships, and society as a whole.
Their work is helping shift the conversation, ensuring languishing is recognised as more than just a passing phase - it’s something that needs real attention.
📖 Read the full Be Well Co. report here: [https://lnkd.in/gbYN3pCX]
Why This Matters
For us at Anniss+Barton, this was more than just another project. It was an opportunity to create something that could genuinely help people - to turn research into something felt, not just read.
We’re incredibly proud of the work, but even more so, we’re proud of the team that made it happen:
📖 Want to learn more? Read the full Be Well Co report: [https://lnkd.in/gbYN3pCX]
💬 Join the conversation.
Have you ever felt like this? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Team Credits;
🎬 Production & Directed by: Anniss+Barton (Kurt Anniss & Nathan Barton)
🎥 DoP & Editor: ChrisBennet
💄 Hair & Makeup: @ShevKelly
📢 PR: @Effie&Co
💡 Research & Concept: Dr Joep van Agteren & Dr Matthew Iasiello
🙌 Client: Amy Smith @ Be Wel lCo
🎭 Featuring: Luke, Tara, Enza, Thomas & Joanne
📩 Contact us: info@annissbarton.com.au