RTS Craft and Design Winners 2005

The RTS Craft and Design Awards were presented on Tuesday 22 November at the Savoy Hotel, Strand, London. The evening was hosted by Christopher Eccleston. The awards cover the huge variety of skills and processes involved in programme production, from art direction to lighting, and costume design to digital effects.

Were presented on Tuesday 22 November 2005 at the Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2

The evening was hosted by Christopher Eccleston.

WINNERS

Tape and Film Editing - Drama

Mark Day - Sex Traffic A Granada Production (co produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) for Channel 4
"The winner uses a wonderful mix of innovative styles, including fragmentation and jump cutting, to miraculously both expand and compress our perception of time. Working with numerous performances in many different languages he helps to create a narrative sweep of enormous ambition."

Nominees

  • Tania Reddin Dirty Filthy Love
  • Granada Drama and Comedy for ITV1
  • Philip Kloss To the Ends of the Earth
  • BBC/Power co production in association with Tightrope Pictures for BBC Two

Tape and Film Editing - Entertainment and Situation Comedy

Editing Team - The Apprentice (Series 1) Mark Burnett Productions/Talkback for BBC Two
"With editing that created tremendous vibrancy and humour, this reality show continues to set standards in craft and beyond."

Nominees

  • Production Team I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
  • Granada London for ITV1 and ITV2
  • Billy Sneddon and Lucien Clayton Green Wing
  • Talkback Thames for Channel 4

Tape and Film Editing - Documentary and Factual

Brand Thumim “ Cocaine October Films for Channel 4
The editing contributed hugely to the hypnotic atmosphere of the programme. The winner built up tension with thought and care.

Nominees

  • Steve Barclay ONE LIFE - To Courtney, With Love
  • Mosaic Films for BBC One
  • Ged Murphy Soul Deep Programme 3 - The Sound of Young America
  • BBC Post Production and BBC Bristol for BBC Two

Make Up Design - Entertainment and Non Drama Productions

Lisa Cavalli-Green - Little Britain BBC Comedy Entertainment for BBC Three
Although it doesn't seem possible, the winner has raised the bar. Fantastic creations throughout, which are as much a part of the comedy as the actors and scripts. Truly stunning work.

Nominees

  • Kate Benton and Diane Chenery-Wickens Dead Ringers #
  • BBC Comedy for BBC Two
  • Maralyn Sherman French & Saunders
  • BBC Comedy Entertainment for BBC One

Make Up Design - Drama

Vanessa White and Neill Gorton - Help BBC Comedy for BBC Two

"The jury said that the winning entry was absolutely stunning, setting a new benchmark for make up in drama. Not only did the make up transform the lead character from week to week, it still allowed the emotion of each character to shine through."

Nominees

  • Davy Jones and Neill Gorton Doctor Who: The End of the World BBC Wales for BBC One
  • Emma Scott The Rotters' Club
  • Company Pictures for BBC Two

Production Design - Drama

Candida Otton - Sex Traffic A Granada Production (co produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) for Channel 4
"A superb example of production design creating a complex backdrop for its characters which is constantly believable. The world it creates feels authentically moody, haunting and ominous and enhances the utterly compelling nature of the story."

Nominees

  • Donal Woods To the Ends of the Earth
  • BBC/Power co production in association with Tightrope Pictures for BBC Two
  • Grenville Horner Blackpool
  • BBC for BBC One

Production Design - Entertainment and Non Drama Productions

Design Team - Hell's Kitchen (Series 2) Granada London for ITV1 and ITV2
"The judges felt the designers had created an extraordinary and innovative piece of design: a set that felt like a real place. The different areas each had a distinctive character and function yet worked together as a seamless whole."

Nominees

  • James Dillon The House of Tiny Tearaways
  • BBC Format Entertainment/Outline Productions for BBC Three/BBC Two
  • Richard Plumb How To Sleep Better
  • BBC Science & Interactive & Learning for BBC One

Music Awards - Original Score

Jonathan Whitehead - Green Wing (Series 1) Talkback Productions for Channel 4
A highly original use of music perfectly in sync with this ground-breaking comedy. The eclectic choice of musical styles brilliantly enhanced the programme.

Nominees

  • Will Gregory and Stuart Gordon Bears - Spy in the Woods
  • John Downer Productions for Channel 4
  • Brian Eno Bacon's Arena
  • BBC Arena/The Estate of Francis Bacon for BBC Two

Music Awards - Original Title Music

Jamie Forsyth and Brian Beacock - Playing It Straight Lion TV Productions for Channel 4
"Original and witty, the jury found the winning entry a stand out opening title. Music and lyrics set a tongue-in-cheek tone which perfectly whetted the appetite for the programme."

Nominees

  • Sarah Class Animal Crime Scene
  • BBC Natural History Unit for BBC One
  • Adrian Johnston Sherlock Holmes & the Case of the Silk Stocking Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC One

Lighting, Photography and Camera - Lighting for Multicamera

Bernie Davis - Songs of Praise - Ely BBC Religion and Ethics for BBC One
"... truly impressive. Skillful and intimate whilst retaining a sense of event. The lighting complemented the mediaeval surroundings whilst achieving a contemporary feel. [enhancing] the location whilst adding value to this spectacular backdrop."

Nominee

  • Nigel Catmur CDUK
  • Blaze TV for ITV

Lighting, Photography and Camera - Multicamera Work

BBC Outside Broadcasts Camera Team - Flashmob: The Opera BBC Classical Music TV for BBC Three
"The jury said that the winning entry used cameras in an extraordinary way. In difficult circumstances and during the rush hour of one of Londons busiest railway stations, viewers were given a front row performance of a large scale opera."

Nominees

  • BBC Camera Team Grand National
  • BBC Outside Broadcasts/BBC Sport for BBC One
  • BBC Camera Team Flora London Marathon
  • BBC Outside Broadcasts/BBC Sport for BBC One

Lighting, Photography and Camera - Photography (Drama)

Anthony Radcliffe - Casanova BBC Wales/Red Production Company/Power in association with Granada for BBC Three/BBC One
"Full of brio and panache, this was a bravura performance. A palette that included all the colours under the rainbow matched with breathless camera movement gave the drama its wild exuberance - and in a field of more naturalistic work, the energy, extraordinary use of colour and supra-realistic quality of the photography shone out."

Nominees

  • Chris Seager Sex Traffic
  • A Granada Production (co produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) for Channel 4
  • David Odd Not Only But Always
  • Company Pictures for Channel 4

Lighting, Photography and Camera - Photography (Documentary/Factual & Non Drama)

Neil Rettig and Andrew Graham Brown - Natural World: Mississippi - Tales of the Last River Rat An @GB Films production for BBC Natural History Unit/Discovery Channel for BBC Two
"Stunningly beautiful and poetic photography . Sensuous and languid, the remarkable footage captured all the moods of the river at all times of day and year. Often complex filming techniques never got in the way of the subject or mood of the piece. This was a near-perfect piece of natural history filming."

Nominees

  • Charlie Hamilton James and Jamie McPherson Natural World: Wild Wood
  • BBC Natural History Unit for BBC Two
  • Matt Reid and Matt Shaw The Queen's Castle
  • RDF Media/HTI for BBC One

Costume Design - Drama

Michele Clapton - Casanova BBC Wales/Red Production
Company/Power in association with Granada for BBC Three/BBC One
"The winning entry was unlike any other period drama, with bold and exciting rule-breaking costumes that reinforced the wit of the writing and enhanced the visual feast."

Nominees

  • Lucinda Wright Doctor Who: The End of the World
  • BBC Wales for BBC One
  • Anushia Nieradzik Sex Traffic
  • A Granada Production (co produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) for Channel 4

Costume Design - Entertainment and Non Drama Productions

Annie Hardinge - Little Britain BBC Comedy Entertainment for BBC Three
"Fantastic, iconic and unforgettable . The costumes just keep getting better and better, keeping the look of the show fresh, extraordinary and hilarious."

Nominees

  • June Nevin The Mighty Boosh (Series 2)
  • Baby Cow Productions for BBC Three
  • Leonie Hartard Nathan Barley
  • Talkback Productions in association with Zeppotron for Channel 4

Sound - Drama

Nigel Edwards, Nick Cox, Phil Barnes and Zane Hayward - Murder Prevention World Productions for five
"...a highly exciting, unconventional approach to sound within a drama programme, dispensing with incidental music and creating instead a distinctive, almost unique soundscape. This was so effective, the jury felt the sound design in the winning programme didnt just contribute to the dramatic tension. It gave entirely new life to a tried and tested cop show formula."

Nominees

  • Sound Team Sex Traffic A Granada Production (co produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) for Channel 4
  • Simon Okin, Stuart Hilliker, Jamie McPhee and Pat Boxhall The Girl in the Cafe Tightrope Pictures in association with HBO for BBC Wales

Sound - Entertainment and Non Drama Productions

BBC Outside Broadcasts Sound Team - Flashmob: The Opera BBC Classical Music TV for BBC Three
"The winning entry was a delight. Using a full orchestra and three choirs and Paddington station as its stage, it was an amazing technical achievement that delivered one of the most exciting and audacious operatic experiences yet seen on the box."

Nominees

  • Tim Butt and Jonathan Clay Tribe: Kombai
  • BBC Wales for BBC Two
  • Brian Aherne Hitler in Colour
  • TWI/Granada for ITV3

Visual Effects - Picture Enhancement

Stephen Moore, Ray King and Dana O'Reilly - Victory in Europe in Colour TWI/Ascent Media for ITV1
"The jury felt that this piece of work significantly enhanced the picture for the viewer. On a tight budget and schedule this small but dedicated team gave the documentary a consistent look and feel. A wonderful achievement considering that most of the source material was badly in need of repair."

Nominees

  • Aidan Farrell Murder Prevention The Farm/World Productions for five
  • Luke Rainey Pride
  • John Downer Productions for BBC Drama Serials/A&E/ProSieben for BBC One

Visual Effects - Special Effects

Pioneer Productions, Toby MacDonald, David Barlow and Artem - Life Before Birth Pioneer Film and Television Productions for Channel 4
"The jury felt that the special effects demanded absolute realism for this film to work. The attention to detail was impeccable and thoroughly convincing for a subject matter that demanded sensitivity and compassion."

  • Nominees
  • Mark Holt To the Ends of the Earth
  • BBC/Power co production in association with Tightrope Pictures for BBC Two
  • Mike Tucker and Steven Bowman The Brighton Bomb
  • BBC Post Production and BBC News and Current Affairs for BBC One

Visual Effects - Digital Effects

Dennis Michelson, Jeremy Hall and Howard Jones - Pride John Downer Productions for BBC Drama Serials/A&E/ProSieben for BBC One
"The jury felt that this piece of work was a huge undertaking, not only in the complexity of the compositing, but also in the approach to the animation which was technically outstanding. The team rose to the challenge of bringing natural history footage to life allowing the viewer to be immersed into the lions world."

Nominees

  • Gareth Edwards End Day
  • BBC/ProSieben for BBC Three Framestore Team The Last Dragon
  • Darlow Smithson Productions for Channel 4

Graphic Design - Trails and Packaging

Dunning Eley Jones - UKTV Style Gardens Dunning Eley Jones for UKTV
"...an entertaining epic title piece that was bold but retained a sense of humour in a highly watchable and enjoyable promotion.

Nominees

  • Jon Yeo Nip/Tuck Promotion
  • BSkyB Creative Services for Sky One
  • Brett Foraker, Russell Appleford, Jo Dillon and Gwilym Gwilliam
  • Channel 4 Rebrand: Council Estate
  • Channel 4 for Channel 4

Graphic Design - Programme Content Sequences

Juliet Percival and Nick Curwin - Anatomy for Beginners Firefly Film and Television Production for Channel 4
"The judges felt that the graphics were innovative and brave, ticked all the boxes and made the programme into a really watchable event."

Nominees

  • Jan Golunski, Andrew Budd and Paul Clements Deep Jungle
  • Granada Bristol for ITV1
  • Graphic Design Team ITV Election 2005 ITN for ITV

Graphic Design - Titles

Adam Wells - Lions Tour of New Zealand BSkyB Creative Services for Sky Sports
"For a very challenging brief, the judges felt that the winner was an unexpected surprise, a simple and fresh idea that was enchanting and beautifully executed."

Nominees

  • Liquid TV Oxford V Cambridge Boat Race
  • Liquid TV for ITV
  • Berger and Wyse Hustle (Series 2)
  • Kudos Film and TV for BBC One

Judges Award

Sunset + Vine “ Channel 4 Cricket
"This production has taken one particular sport and changed the way it is presented and viewed. Not only have they transformed the way cricket is produced but they have set a benchmark in technical and editorial terms for the way many other sports will be televised in the future.

The winning team has added visual flair and technical innovation to a sport which was previously seen by the uninitiated as mundane, inaccessible and lacking character. In doing this they have peeled away the layers of what is happening on the field of play so the viewer can understand the intricacies of the play and feel involved.

Their graphics have been informative and clear, with direct visual references to the players on the field; replays and close-ups “ this year including ultracam super slo-mo - have illustrated precisely what their analyst describes from the technical area; technical innovations “ first the snickometer, the red zone, then Hawkeye “ not only provide the evidence to debate umpires decisions but, more importantly, increase the understanding of the decision making process for those at home; and their edited sequences and highlights have replayed the play in an exciting format.

This summer many more people “ peaking at over eight million on Channel 4 “ were able to see what this production team had been bringing to our screens for the past seven years. The glorious Ashes series was a fitting finale for a production which broke the mould and we will see their influence in sports production for many years to come."

Lifetime Achievement Award

Chris Beeton
"From Cadfael to Marple, Charles II to Sex Traffic, The Way We Live Now to State of Play, Chris Beetons work is a roll-call of the highest-profile drama productions of our times. In a career spanning 30 years (and counting) our winner has used the magic of colour to influence the mood of countless filmed events and dramas.

Strangely, for someone who loves sunlight and the effect of light, our recipient has chosen to spend most of his working life in a darkened room ˜grading or ˜colouring images scanned through a telecine machine, colour correcting and creatively working with colour and light.

His illustrious career as a colourist began 30 years ago with the BBC, working through its operational and engineering training scheme in the News Studios, finally finding his niche and progressing to the Telecine department. He later joined Rank Video Centres Telecine department, which was merged with TVI in the early 80s. It was here that our winner became involved in both the grading of feature films for the worldwide home video market and television dramas and documentaries. These companies were at the cutting edge of technology, and so it was that our recipient capitalised on this technology and forged a strong relationship with feature film, drama and documentary professionals.

He joined Pepper in 2000, and later started work on one of the most successful returning dramas on British television “ Spooks, and he has worked on every series since. Andrew Woodhead, Producer of Spooks said that the commitment and attention given by this years recipient in creating and perfecting the slick, filmic look on Spooks was nothing less that brilliant.

In 2004 LWT and Chorion turned to Pepper and our winner to help re-invigorate the Marple franchise by creating a look at the same time recognisably Agatha Christie, but accessible to todays audience.

Underscoring all of his work throughout his career is an ability to relate the effects that he is able to create with the on-screen action and plot development. Suzanne Harrison, Producer on Tom Brown Schooldays: said he created a lovely subtle arrange of colours and in particular did a beautiful job of delicately increasing the light throughout the course of the drama, which perfectly matches the redemption storyline.

And of all the surprising things, Chris refuses to watch the programmes he magically transforms and never mentions them to his family, because he is so critical of his work."

 

Winners