the Craft
Q&As and behind-the-scenes info on the latest and greatest
commercials, shorts and music videos.
Howtomakeabigdealoutofsmallbusinesses
Last Friday, Channel 4 and a host of big brands donated an entire ad break to mini-spots highlighting small businesses throughout the UK. We caught up with Armoury MD & Senior Producer Matt Hichens and Creative Director Jack Laurance to find out just how they shot six companies in six days with six directors, all under strict safety guidelines.
HowtosoberupaDrunkenMaster
Suthon Petchsuwan, Mum Films director and helmer of the hilarious new Jackie Chan-spoofing film for the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, talks to us about shooting an action epic under strict pandemic guidelines and finding the chuckles in the surreal.
The naked truth behind the Stones' latest promo
Photographer and filmmaker Diana Kunst recently released a new video for an old Rolling Stones track which charts the relationship with her friend, Marina. The video was accused by some of being 'lecherous'. Here, Kunst explains how the video came to be and what its real message is.
Johnny Hardstaff on his Small Film with a big impact
After taking up residence for eight days at a UK hospital treating Covid-19 patients at the height of the pandemic, Johnny Hardstaff has created a stripped back, emotional and compelling film with just a stills camera and a voice recorder. Here, he explains the thinking behind his Small Film.
On Reflection: Never Say No To Panda
In 2010, a little-known agency called Elephant Cairo turned a cuddly bamboo-eater into a petty antagonist, and, in doing so, launched a thousand memes. We speak to agency creative and campaign director Ali Ali about causing pandemonium.
Submarines, snow and secrecy; how to film a Royal Navy spot
Spindle director Greg Hackett's new Royal Navy film was a huge undertaking, not least due to the availability of the main character (a nuclear submarine) and the need for secrecy (which stretches to this interview, some of which needed to be redacted). Here, he reveals the challenges and triumphs of the year-long project.
How to make cinema from a sock
Frenzy Paris director Frank Ychou's film for Apple takes the iPhone's ability to capture cinematic colour and filmic techniques to a new level. We chatted to Ychou and EP Cédric Barus to find out how they did it.
How to tackle bedroom taboos with sensitivity
With Love Story, their two-minute emotive rollercoaster commercial which launched this week, Viagra are hoping to normalise the conversation around erection problems. We caught up with Tamryn Kerr, Creative Director at VMLY&R, to find out how they found a soft approach to a hard question.
Some in-depth discussions of what it takes to make a killer music video.
MusicVideooftheYear:FKAtwigs,Cellophane
MusicVideooftheYear:TheChemicalBrothers
MPCat50:Theirfavouritemusicvideos
How Kiwis found the comedy in Covid
Using the cast and characters from TV show Wellington Paranormal, agency Wrestler created an educational, eminently sharable and, most importantly, hilariously funny campaign to give guidance to a New Zealand audience on coronavirus rules and restrictions. Jamie Madge spoke to CEO and co-founder Ben Forman to find out how they pulled it together in 48 hours.
The story of Our Stories
After the release of an epic film that brought together the UK's terrestrial TV channels we chat to Sam Walker, director of and one of the creatives behind the film, about its making.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, insight and inspiration for the global creative community.
How to run with refugees
We speak to Hungry Man director Richard Bullock about his feature-length documentary collaboration with Swiss sports company On, following the courageous journey, and a shattered Olympic dream, of the Athlete Refugee Team.
On Reflection: The Unquiet Film Series
From the dangers involved in war reporting to the sharp edge of satirical cartoons; from the need for a questioning nature to the power inherent in words on a page, The Unquiet Film Series for The Times and The Sunday Times looked at it all, and a lot more, over its collection of mini-docs.
Home from home during lockdown shoot
Rather than binge-watch Netflix, vow to get fit or mine a previously untapped love for gardening, director Mark Jenkinson decided to do what he does best during lockdown.