A new dawn for Therapy Films

Much like Mark Twain, Therapy Films would like to clarify that reports of their demise have been grossly exaggerated…partly by us, for which we are very sorry.

In fact, they are very much alive and kicking, with a Creative Circle Gold and a BTAA win for the Malcolm Venville and Sean de Sparengo directed Reel favourite ‘Kill the Gun’ recently in the bag.

The confusion arose from re-structuring that occurred during the renewal of a 10-year lease on their premises in Market Street – they’ve moved up in the world and are now on the 3rd floor - that saw the departure of partners Guy Manwaring and Mark Denton to pursue their own projects.

The new streamlined Therapy, with founder Malcolm Venville solely at the helm, has retained some unique and award-winning talents in its roster, including Colin Gregg, Christian Bevilacqua, Mick Rudman, The Shammasian Brothers and Sean de Sparengo.

Venville said of the recent re-structuring, ‘[it] has given us an opportunity to prune our director roster and return to the good old days when we were a straight-forward, no-nonsense production company known for creating striking commercials.’

Indeed, the former Reel Ones to Watch and extremely talented Bevilacqua has recently achieved recognition for his Mastercard spot and Venville himself has made waves with his hard hitting Reel Hotspot for BBC 2’s ‘White Season’.

NewsReel 19/03/08

Revolver re-load with Bruce Hunt
Multi award-winning director Bruce Hunt has joined Revolver for Australian and Asian representation. Named Australian director of the year four times for his commercials work, Bruce has also directed the 2nd unit on one of the best films of all time ‘The Matrix’. Bruce is really excited to be joining the existing talent at Revolver, saying ‘The intimate scale of Revolver really appealed to me…our values and the sense of enjoyment of filmmaking are really similar.’

Bruce’s work has included the excellent recent Toyota 'Ice Sculptures'. He is represented by Believe in the US and Home Corp here in London.

WAX on
Newcomers WAX Media were established in late 2007 and have already produced campaigns for major brands such as Mars, Universal and Harpers Bazarr, and they were behind the recent Alesha Dixon ad/music video from Ford. Their fresh, innovative and all-encompassing approach to digital advertising, integrated creative and strategic services comes from an eclectic and talented board of directors: Bob Brimson – Consultant Director of Creative Services @ Universal Music; Mike O’Keefe – Head of Content @ Sony BMG; Asa Bailey – digital agency consultant @ Saatchi NY and Grey Worldwide; Phil Tidy and Patrick Holtkamp – joint owners of commercials and music video production company Draw Pictures; and Andy Bell – Head of Production @ Draw. Their remit includes acting as agency, production, distribution and management, and they look all set to provide a serious challenge to the traditional order of things.

Allen Coulter pulls into the Station
He’s directed episodes of ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Rome’ and recently wrapped the pilot for ‘Sons of Anarchy’ for FX; now director Allen Coulter is ready to direct some commercials through Station Film, where he has made the move from Hungry Man.

And finally…
The most famous and enduring Sea Captain of all time (well, off the telly anyway), John Hewer aka Captain Birds Eye for an astounding 31 years, has sadly passed away, aged 86. He was replaced in 1998 with a handsome, leaner Captain, but the young pretender struggled to live up to the legend and is currently on shore leave whilst Suggs does the business with his make-believe family. For the fish finger chomping (Reel subscribing) kid in all of us, here’s a trip down memory lane

NewsReel 13/03/08

Remember to keep sending in all your adland news - even if it is just shameless self promotion - and we'll do our best to feature it here. Please send all press releases or anything that could fall under the banner of news to sam@thereel.net.

CORRECTION TO BOOKLET

In the Shorts section of the February Reels the cracking short Bitch was unfortunately credited without a Production Company. The piece was made the by fabulous folk at Mustard, and we apologise profusely for the mistake. To view the short (and you really should 'cause it's great) check out the latest DVD or click here (website subscribers only).

BTAA

The annual BTAA's were held in London last night and adland's hangover is only just relenting. Amongst the big winners were Agency Fallon and Production Company Rattling Stick winning Agency and Production Company of the Year respectively. The Best TV Commercial of the Year went to the mighty Gorilla spot for Cadbury, with executions for Carling, Boots and Levi amongst those scooping up Golds. A full list is featured below, and if any don't ring a bell click here for a
rundown of many Reel featured winners.

Ad of the year: Gorilla

Agency of the year: Fallon

Production Company of the year: Rattling Stick.

Golds:

Alcoholic Drinks - Coors Brewers - Space
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Skoda - Cake
Best 60-90 Second Commercial - Boots - Moment of Truth
Best 60-90 Second Commercial - Sony - Music Pieces
Best 60-90 Second Commercial - Cadbury - Gorilla
Best 60-90 Second Commercial - Sony - Play-Doh
Best Over 90 Second Commercial - Boots - Here Come The Girls
Clothing - Levi's - Dangerous Liaison
Confectionery and Snacks - Cadbury - Gorilla
European - Skoda - Cake
European - Sony - Play-Doh
Household Appliances - Sony - Music Pieces
Household Appliances - Sony - Play-Doh
International - Proctor & Gamble - Interview
John Webster Award for Best 30 Second Commercial - Skoda - Cake
Retail - Boots - Here Come The Girls
Vehicles - Skoda - Cake

Silvers:

Alcoholic Drinks - Coors Brewers - Out
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Coors Brewers - Space
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Sara Lee - Effortless
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Coors Brewers - Out
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - The Big Yellow Storage Company - Tide
Best 60-90 Second Commercial - Volkswagen - Night Drive
Best 60-90 Second Commercial - Vodafone - Time Theft
Best Over 90 Second Commercial - Vodafone - Cartwheel
Best Over 90 Second Commercial - Vodafone - Time Theft
Best Over 90 Second Commercial - Levi's - Dangerous Liaison
Cinema Advertising - Volkswagen - Toy Story
Cinema Commercials Also Shown on TV - Coors Brewers - Space
Cinema Commercials Also Shown on TV - Levi's - Dangerous Liaison
Cinema Commercials Also Shown on TV - Adidas International - Impossible is Nothing - David Beckham
Confectionery and Snacks - Thorntons - Stuck
European - Levi's - Dangerous Liaison
International Series - Adidas International - Jonah Lomu, David Beckham, Gilbert Arenas
New Advertiser - The Big Yellow Storage Company - Tide
Retail - Boots - Moment Of Truth
Series - Sony - Play-Doh, Experiment, Music Pieces
Telecommunication Services - Vodafone - Cartwheel
Telecommunication Services - Vodafone - Time Theft
Toiletries - Sara Lee - Effortless
TV and Radio Promotions - BBC - Amazing Music - Russell Brand
Vehicles - Volkswagen - Night Drive

Bronze:

Alcoholic Drinks - Diageo - Tipping Point
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Choice FM - Kill The Gun
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - BBC - People Like Us
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Olympus - Toddler
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Thorntons - Stuck
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Volkswagen - Great Pretender
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Diageo - Sea
Best 30-60 Second Commercial - Diageo - Tipping Point
Branded Content - Vodafone - Sir Percy
Cinema Commercials Also Shown on TV - Vodafone - Time Theft
Cinema Commercials Also Shown on TV - Sony Bravia - Theatre
European - Audi - Construction
International - Heineken - Jamaica
John Webster Award for Best 30 Second Commercial - Olympus - Toddler
Miscellaneous Consumer Products - Sony - Pose
Miscellaneous Consumer Products - Olympus - Toddler
Miscellaneous Consumer Products - BSkyB Ltd - Static
New Advertiser - Choice FM - Kill The Gun
Newspapers and Magazines - Mail On Sunday - Battle
Retail - John Lewis - Shadows
Retail - The Big Yellow Storage Company - Tide
Series - Adidas International - David Beckham, Everest Boys, Gilbert Arenas
Sponsorship Bumpers - Nestle - Hula, Card Trick, Rabbit, Toast, Skip, Basket Ball
TV and Radio Promotions - BBC - Amazing Music - Chris Evans
TV and Radio Promotions - BSkyB Ltd - Static
Vehicles - Audi - Construction
Viral - Coca Cola - Stockport
Web Based Advertising - Freixenet - The Key To Reserva

Qash-back

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Babe: Pig In The City, Crocodile Dundee II – popular culture is full of sequels where the little guy makes a mark in the big city. Following on from last year’s masterful ‘Skateboard’ TV spot, TBWA\London and TBWA\G1 have yet again ripped up the metropolis with the flashy Nissan Qashqai. Following on from the original’s playful nature, the new execution sees the city literally coming to life, the buildings becoming frisky titans who launch the vehicle through the streets like a cat toying with a ball of string.

The ad was directed by Rattling Stick helmer (and Reel favourite) Danny Kleinman, bringing the buildings to life with cheeky movements and clever ‘it-looks-like-a-face’ aesthetics. Spanning a mammoth 8-day shoot with a 170-strong crew, the commercial’s production included closing down Avenue Corrientes, one of Buenos Aires’ busiest streets, for a whole weekend. Speaking of the production, Kleinman says, “We used a lot of big effects, big rigs, dropped cars, and tried to do things which looked spectacular – it was quite a challenge; a big, big production. In a way it would have been a lot easier to create everything in CG, but I think you lose a bit of realness, grittiness and excitement if you go down that route.”

"This is an ad that is going to get people talking about it!” adds Steve Henry, Executive Creative Director TBWA\London, “Following on from the launch of QASHQAI, which involved radical TV ads and a massively successful online campaign, this is a piece of work which really brings out the unique nature of the car. The stunts are really impressive, but what makes the ad fascinating is how Danny has given the buildings such great personalities - like cheeky, mischievous schoolboys playing with the car. QASHQAI really is the ultimate Urbanproof car, and the ad shows that off with great personality and style."

Backed by a big media spend, the TV work will be supported by press and outdoor work and will be followed by the second phase of the viral phenomenon, QASHQAI Car Games and a second year of the mountain bike urban freeride tour, Nissan QASHQAI Challenge.

Project: ‘City Living’
Creative Agency: TBWA\London, TBWA\G1
Copywriter: Chiappe & Saunby
Art Director: Chiappe & Saunby
Agency Producer: Emma Rookledge
Agency Planner: Filippo Dell’Osso
Director: Danny Kleinman
Producer: Johnnie Frankel
Production Company: Rattling Stick
Editor & Editing Co.: Steve Gandolfi
Post Production Co.: Framestore CFC
Audio Post Production: Owen Griffith at Jungle

Tip top monkey

The Andrex Puppies, the Dulux Dog, and the new kid on the block, the Cadbury Gorilla - adland loves animal mascots, whether they’re real, puppets, or just Phil Collins in a suit. However, only one brand mascot has successfully crossed over from one brand to another - Britain’s favourite knitted chimp, Monkey. The stuffed simian made his debut in 2001 with the launch of ITV’s ill-fated digital network, and after a long holiday, purportedly strapped to the front of a lorry (see below) but more likely thrown in a cupboard in Mother’s plush East London offices, he made an inspired return with his old mate Johnny Vegas (still bizarrely called Al) for PG Tips in January 2007.

That was over a year ago and in the interim Monkey has embarked on a career as a movie star (apparently without Al – no sign of the nation’s favourite salad dodger in the trailer). His first appearance on the silver screen comes in a five-minute whistle-stop history of tea that premières in cinemas across the UK from Friday 21 March to Thursday 10 April. Showing a versatility not seen since Eddie Murphy in ‘Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps’, and without the need for prosthetics we must add, Monkey takes the role of Shennong, legendary Emperor of China; a captain of a tea clipper, an intrepid jungle explorer...and the majority of other roles. The film encompasses the history of tea from ancient China, right up to the Rainforest Alliance Certification of PG Tips' tea suppliers.

To catch what is sure to be the beginning of a long and illustrious career in film, take your family to any of the following films between 21 March and 10 April (and if you don’t have a family, borrow one - just like Suggs did for Birdseye): ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’, ‘Horton Hears A Who’, ‘Gameplan’ and ‘Hannah Montana’. See below for a sneak preview of the film, entitled 'A Tale of Two Continents'.

NewsReel 06/03/08

Remember to keep sending in all your adland news - even if it is just shameless self promotion - and we'll do our best to feature it here. Please send all press releases or anything that could fall under the banner of news to sam@thereel.net.

Johnny gets Jerwood
Former RCA student, and currently on Nexus’ roster, Johnny Kelly was one of three winners announced at the recent inaugural Jerwood Moving Image Awards. The director won for his ‘Procrastination’ short, which was featured in last October’s Reel. The Jerwood Charitable Foundation set up the awards to offer a platform to debate the present state and future prospects of the ‘digital moving image’ artform. What’s he going to do with the £10,000 prize money? ‘…invested straight into my next film. And also a pair of badly needed glasses.’ Aaawww. To view all the winners click here.

Wave
Regularly featured in the Reel, Wave Recording Studios have opened their 6th and 7th studios, to house more long-term and experimental work, captained by an award-winning team of sound designers: Joe Mount and Ashley Smith. Wave’s co-owner and creative director, Warren Hamilton, said: ‘With the continuing arrival of new digital formats and new technologies, we are working in interesting times. We wanted to make the most of these opportunities by opening two new studios dedicated to creating more diverse and flexible work. The result is that studios 6 & 7 offer an alternative way to design and mix sound without compromising audio quality, creativity or Wave’s exceptionally high standards of service.’

Poynton points to the exit
Malcolm Poynton, executive creative director of Ogilvy London since 2003, is expected to leave the agency shortly. Poynton is rumoured to have disagreed with CEO Gary Leih and Managing Director Guy Lambert following their re-structuring to a creative partner system of dedicated client service teams.

Kit wins Gold at Creative Circle Awards
Kit Lynch-Robinson has won Gold for Best Microsite at the Creative Circle Awards last night. The site featuring the 14 hours and 40 minute exploits of Fernando talking non-stop for Emirates has been submitted to the Guinness Book of Records for the accolade as ‘longest commercial in history’ and the highlights were featured in November’s Reel.

Short and Sweet
Next week sees the second installment in Short & Sweet’s BAFTA nominations night. Directors and producers will once again be present. Last week saw the screening of the following films:

'Dog Altogether' - Paddy Considine
The Crumblegiant - John McCloskey
'Head over Heels' - Osbert Parker
'The one and only Herb McGwyer plays Wallis Island' - James Griffiths

Short and Sweet continues to be at t he usual times and the usual places:

MONDAY: Cafe 1001, 91 Brick Lane

TUESDAY: AKA Bar, 18 west central street

TIME: 19h00 both nights

Colette Crespin goes to The Guild
One of our favourite director's reps, Colette Crespin, is now Down Under and has landed firmly on her feet as the new Director's Rep / PR / New Business Manager at Guild Films in Melbourne. Check out what they’re doing on the other side of the world here.

Should Kanye have used this one?

This little piece of marker-on-hands and editing magic had our faces lit up with glee this morning.

Ad peeps and Promo Directors take out your note pads and start writing ‘ideas and treatments’ immediately…




Oh... and here is a little history lesson…