Continuing the countdown to the special 20th anniversary issue of shots, we've been asking some of the most notable directors to appear in our New Directors section over the years about their past, present and future. To kick us off, Sonny director Guy Manwaring talks to us about his MCTV spot that featured in issue 81 of shots at the beginning of 2004.

What do you remember about shooting MCTV Launch?
As this was a tiny in-house project for M&C Saatchi, the budget was almost non existent (about £800), which meant that the whole thing had to be shot on video with a very tiny crew. In fact, the crew was basically me, a young DP and a couple of runners. Also, we only had the TV screens available in the agency so we had to lug them about ourselves between scenes as we shot through the night.


What were your ambitions for the future back in 2004?
I don't think that my ambitions have changed much from when I first started out. Like most directors I'd love to shoot movies one day, and I guess that that ultimately informs my decisions and the kind of scripts I like to work on. Within commercials, I try to make each job better that the last and hope to work on more challenging projects.


What's been the highlight of your career so far?
It's hard to put my finger on any one particular high-point. Winning BTAA Best New Director in 2003 gave me the confidence that I could make a career out of directing. It definitely felt like a high point at the time.


What's your favourite ad from the last 20 years?
I think that I used to have favourite ads before working in the industry, but now everything just seems to blend into work that I do and don't like. I remember loving the Budget Rent-A-Car campaign that Baker Smith shot back in 2002-ish. Skittles Beard is also up there.


What's the one thing that's made your life as a director easier since you started your career? And harder?
I was 25 when I started directing (and looked about 16), and I remember having a bit of a complex that the client might not trust someone so young with their budget. Then the more work you do, the more this starts to work in your favour. Now I get to take advantage of having seven years experience and still being at the younger end of the spectrum.


Watch Manwaring's MCTV spot below.