Directors UK members received prizes in four categories at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Craft and Design Awards 2017.
The awards, which were announced at a London ceremony on 27 November, recognised the craft of directing across four different genres - Drama; Multicamera Work; Comedy Drama/Situation Comedy; and Documentary/Factual & Non Drama.
Member Damon Beesley picked up the award for Directing in Comedy Drama/Situation Comedy, for his work on the BBC Two programme White Gold. The jury were enthusiastic about how the show “nostalgically embraced the period with a great soundtrack, whilst being weirdly aspirational and fresh. It had great ambition, a good flow from scene to scene with a great balance of dark humour and slapstick comedy.”
Meanwhile, in Documentary/Factual & Non Drama, member Dan Edge was recognised alongside co-director Lauren Mucciolo for Last Days of Solitary. The BBC Four programme was described by the jury as “An exquisitely crafted assault on the senses. Directed with humanity, confidence and restraint… a thought provoking, insightful and moving portrayal of the inmates and staff of Maine State Prison. Shot over three years with astonishing access it is an outstanding testament to the directors’ mental strength and creative ability.”
Member Richard Valentine, alongside Matt Ingham, triumphed in the Multicamera Work category for BBC Studios’ One Love Manchester. The programme was commended by the jury, who noted that “despite the restrictions on time and resources, this production perfectly captured the emotionally charged event, making the crowd a key part of the experience.”
Finally, in Drama, member Julian Jarrold won the directing award for The Witness for the Prosecution, praised as “a beautiful crafted and complete vision that brought performances, camera work, sound, and design together to make a rich and classy production… cleverly used all the tools of the trade without becoming self-conscious. With atmospheric imagery and a stylish colour palette it found a new way to present a period piece that felt relevant, contemporary and exciting.”
Congratulations to the aforementioned winners, and to all of those recognised by this year’s Craft and Design Awards – which also included several members among the nominees.
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