You have to wake up pretty early in the afternoon, and perhaps stay up ’til then as well, if you want to throw a better party than the folks at MuchMusic, who once again provided a night of unsurpassed musical entertainment and general frivolity.

Where else can you get The Smashing Pumpkins and mashed potatoes in the same place? That’s right, the Pumpkins played along with another fairly popular band, Barenaked Ladies, as well as outfits like The Philosopher Kings, Big Wreck and Love Inc. while people alternately listened and made stops at the mashed potatoes stand (who hasn’t secretly craved a tub of smooth starchy goodness late at night when you feel frightened by the world?).

This year, it seemed like even more of a crowd which assembled around the Much/Citytv/Bravo! complex to enjoy music along with spotting Canadian celebs like golden boy Jason Priestly, Moses Znaimer, an ever-gracious Floria Sigismondi and the surprisingly cheerful Tea Party.

Awards were presented in various locations throughout the night and featured many of the bright lights and emerging stars from the commercial and video scene.

Best video honors went to Love Inc. for Broken Bones, directed by Stephen Scott out of Black Walk Productions. The Broken Bones effort was also cited as best dance video, and Love Inc. front man Chris Sheppard, it is believed, is the unofficial winner of hairdo of the night.

Best director kudos went to William Morrison for Matthew Good Band’s Apparitions, produced out of Toolshed Productions, the video arm of Aviator Pictures.

The award for best cinematography went to Anghel Decca for The Tea Party’s Release, directed by Ulf Buddensieck out of Black Walk, and best editing went to Alex Bigham for Sarah McLachlan’s Sweet Surrender, which also won the People’s Choice Award for favorite Canadian video.

Director David Cropper, recently signed to Revolver, won the VideoFACT Award for Michie Mee’s Covergirl.

The People’s Choice Award for favorite Canadian group went to Our Lady Peace for the band’s 4am video, directed by Tony Pantages.

Later, the revelers packed up and moved to the Revolver party, which occupied the entire bountiful space of the Court House. The shindig was a mecca for the night’s musical bright lights including The Smashing Pumpkins and Philosopher Kings as well as members of A Tribe Called Quest, Acqua, Goo Goo Dolls, I Mother Earth and The Watchmen.

*Chambers is back

Production veteran Johnny Chambers has joined the freelance production world. The former Padulo senior vp broadcast left the shop in the spring, and after a enjoying a summer away from it, is back at work as a freelance producer.

*Bob Mann Award nomination time

It’s time to start thinking about the Bessies again, and the first thing to think about is who to nominate for the Bob Mann Award.

The award, as most are aware, is given out at the yearly Bessies Awards celebration to a person in the post-production field who has demonstrated the right personal and professional stuff on an ongoing basis.

Nominations are accepted for people in a wide spectrum of post disciplines including editors, digital effects artists, colorists, cg designers/animators, audio professionals, engineers, lab personnel, and so on.

This year’s judges include Archie van Dyke from Daily Post, dave’s Michael Lambermont, John Stollar from Axyz, Thomas Neuspiel from Keen Audio and Young & Rubicam producer Doug Lowe.

The deadline for nominations is Nov. 6. For ballots or information call award chair Lisa Weinrib at TOPIX/Mad Dog. Nominations can be faxed to (416) 923-8739.

On the subject of the Bessies, the show will be held May 5 at a new venue, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The call for entries goes out this month.

On the subject of awards in general, the Advertising and Design Club of Canada will hold its annual show and awards presentation Oct. 22 at the Design Exchange. Info and tickets are available from the adcc at (416) 423-4113.

*On the move

Director Stefan von Bjorn recently joined Aviator from Cactus.

Imported Artists’ Wayne Craig has switched hats from production manager to full-time director.

Craig picked up several awards over the last year including the Bessie Gold and a Bronze Lion at Cannes both for a Nettlemax spot through The Holmes Partnership featuring an old woman in a rocker with squeeky knees.

Currently, Craig is pitching two jobs.

*Good for Kellogg’s

Leo Burnett’s Kellogg’s Special K creative captured a Grand Good award from Advertising Women of New York, a group that looks out after the image of women in commercials and presents a yearly roundup of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of advertising.

The Grand Good was awarded to Special K’s ‘Resolution’ spot directed by Imported Artists’ Richard D’Alessio

The Special K campaign was also awarded best print and agency, and Kellogg’s received a They Get It award for its advertising direction.

*ICA productions course

The Institute of Canadian Advertising’s Broadcast Production Course, which is offered every other year, is starting Oct. 7. The course spans 23 weeks, with a certificate bestowed upon completion.

A senior agency producer (with an appropriate industry guest) presides over each week’s lesson. This year, in addition to the 23-week certificate program, eight-week modules are available.

The course is geared largely to entry-level producers, but is also of use to other agency personnel.

For more information call Janice Schenk at the ica at (416) 482-1396.

*Clarification

In the listing of credits for the MuchMusic Video Award nominees in the Sept. 7 issue, Sloan’s Money City Maniacs video was listed as having been directed out of Revolver by Mark Cutler. Cutler is a designer and director working out of TOPIX/Mad Dog whom Revolver hired to direct the video.