In a rare departure from this year’s norm, Honda Diesel’s “Grrr” didn’t top an industry awards show. Though the much lauded spot took the best animation and best original music categories, the major winner in the British Television Advertising Awards (BTAA) Craft competition was Stella Artois’ “Ice Skating Priests,” directed by Jonathan Glazer of Academy, London, for Lowe, London.
The wryly comedic “Priests” was named best crafted commercial by BTAA Craft Awards judges. In addition to this best-of-show distinction, the black-and-white ad for the brewer earned honors for best direction, casting and use of recorded music.
The aforementioned “Grrr” was directed by Smith & Foulkes of Nexus, London, for Wieden+Kennedy, London. Meanwhile the best live-action/special effects honor went to Boots No. 7’s “Stay Perfect” helmed by Dougal Wilson via Blink Productions, London, for Mother, London. (Wilson is repped in the U.S. by Furlined, Los Angeles.)
Taking the Craft Award for computer animation was Citroen C4’s “Carbot” (a.k.a. “Transformer”) directed by Neill Blomkamp via Spy Films, Toronto, for Euro RSCG, London. (Blomkamp recently joined bicoastal RSA USA for stateside representation.) The computer animation ensemble included Blomkamp, Simon van de Lagemaat, Winston Helgson and Trevor Canwood of The Embassy VFX, Vancouver, B.C.
The BTAA Craft Award for model making went to Kate McConnell for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s “Ventriloquist,” produced by now defunct Large for Saatchi & Saatchi, London. Daniel Kleinman, who is now with Kleinman Productions, London, directed the spot.
Named best new director by BTAA Craft judges was Huse Monfaradi of RSA Films, London, for Samsung MP3’s “Rappers” out of Saatchi & Saatchi, London.
Sebastian Milaszewski won the cinematography honor for Audi’s “Test,” produced by Gorgeous Enterprises, for Bartle Bogle Hegarty, London. Meanwhile Jess Hall and Andy Margetson won the camera operators category for Canon EOS’s “Playtime” from 2 am Films, London, for Cayenne Communications, Amsterdam.
Richard Orrick of The Whitehouse, London, topped the editing category for adidas’ “Road To Lisbon” produced by Small Family Business, London, for 180 Amsterdam. Paul Harrison of The Mill, London, was recognized in the colorist category for Hutchison 36 Mobile’s “Cherry Tart” produced by bicoastal/international MJZ for WCRS, London. Topping the video post category was Chris Knight of The Mill for DFT’s “Lucky” produced by Academy for Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, London. And earning the sound design honor were London-based Vernie Young and DJ Tommy for Netvigator’s “Netvigator” produced by RSA Films.
The production design award went to Robin Brown for Rexona For Men’s “Stunt City,” produced by Stink, London, for Lowe, London. This spot also won the stunts category for stunt specialist Guy Norris. Miuccia Prada topped the costume/wardrobe category for Prada’s “Thunder Perfect Mind” from RSA Films. And Allison Sherwood earned the makeup and prosthetics honor for Skoda Octavia Estate 4×4’s “Gymnast” co-produced by Independent, London, and Biscuit Filmworks, Los Angeles, for Fallon, London.
Best actor performance went to Antonio Rampino for Baci’s “Everyday” produced by Gorgeous for Lowe, London. The best actress performance honor was bestowed upon Emma Kennedy for UKTV Style’s “Five Steps To A New You,” made by and for BBC Broadcast.
The BTAA Craft Awards ceremony was held earlier this month in London. The competition was inaugurated in 1996 in order to provide special recognition to spot crafts talent.