Following are the results of the 1998 Playback Top Spots Awards, recognizing the best in commercial production talent in Canada. Top Spots judges, comprised of a panel of commercial aficionados from Brunico Communications, pored over 121 commercials to arrive at the top 10 spots and winners in seven craft categories.

Commercials were eligible for Top Spots placement and craft kudos if they were produced by a Canadian shop using a Canadian director, or a director who resides in Canada for the bulk of the year (one spot per director), and aired between September 1997 and September 1998.

This year, judges were deadlocked in the craft category of directing, with dual winners Stephen Scott and Richard D’Alessio sharing the honors for two compelling and stylistically divergent spots.

1. Eaton’s

‘Beauty Pageant’

Director: Stephen Scott

Cinematographer: Marcus Elliott

Production house: Rave Films

Producer: Michi Lepic

Art director: Bob Stueck

Music performance: ‘Miss World’ Hole

Animation/FX: Susan Armstrong, TOPIX/Mad Dog

Picture editing: Michelle Czukar, Panic & Bob

Colorist: Walt Biljan, Command Post/TOYBOX

Agency: Roche Macaulay & Partners

Agency producer: Brenda Surminski

Creative director: Geoffery B. Roche

Art director: Linda Carte

Copywriter: Alanna Nathanson

2. Kellogg’s Special K ‘Resolutions’

Director: Richard D’Alessio

Cinematographer: Simon Mestel

Production house: Imported Artists

Producer: Denny Kennedy

Music/sound: Rosnick MacKinnon

Picture editing: Alex Eaton, Stealing Time

Sound editing: Ted Rosnick, Rosnick MacKinnon

Colorist: Bill Ferwerda, DAVE

Agency: Leo Burnett

Agency producer: Colleen Floyd

Creative director: Jeff Finkler

Art director: Elspeth Lynn

Copywriter: Lorraine Tao

3. Molson Canadian ‘Teaser’

Director: Steven Chase

Cinematographer: Barry Peterson

Production house: Jolly Roger

Executive producers: James Davis, Peter Davis

Producer: Diane Saunders

Art Director: Alan Fellows

Music/sound: The Einstein Bros.

Animation/FX: Axyz

Picture editing: Bruce Copeman, Axyz

Colorist: Gary Chuntz, Command Post/TOYBOX

Agency: MacLaren McCann

Agency producer: Deb Narine

Creative director: Rick Davis

Art director: Kerry Reynolds

Copywriter: Mark Fitzgerald

4. Cantel/AT&T ‘Electric Chair’

Director: David McNally

Cinematographer: Barry Parrell

Production house: The Players Film Company

Producer: Michi Lepik

Music/sound: Rosnick MacKinnon

Picture editing: David Baxter, Panic & Bob

Colorist: Cary Chuntz, Command Post/TOYBOX

Agency: Gee Jeffery & Partners

Agency producer: Judy Hamilton

Creative director: Robin Heisey

Art director/copywriter: Don Embree/Robin Heisey/Michael Wilson

5. Alberta Motor Association ‘Busy Driver’

Director/DOP: Cliff Skelton

Production house: Apple Box Productions

Producer: Jim Smith

Music/sound: Wave Productions

Picture editing: Cliff Skelton

Colorist: Gary Shaw, TOYBOX West

Agency: Palmer Jarvis Advertising, Edmonton

Art director: Jeff McLean

Copywriter/producer: Dave Jacox

6. United Way ‘That’s Life’

Director: Stephen Yeates

Cinematographer: Andre Pienaar

Production house: Circle Productions

Producer: Grant Baird

Music/sound: The Einstein Bros.

Picture editing: David Hicks, Panic & Bob

Colorist: Judy Paul, Eyes Post

Agency: Young & Rubicam

Agency producer: Diane Kirk

Art director: Ken Boyd

Copywriter: Heather Chambers

7. Molson Export ‘Hockey’

Director: Adam Massey

Cinematographer: Guillermo Navarro

Production house: The Partners’ Film Company

Producer: Denny Kennedy

Music/sound: Rosnick MacKinnon

Picture editing: David Baxter, Panic & Bob

Colorist: Bill Ferwerda, DAVE

Agency: MacLaren McCann

Agency producer: Franca Piacente

Creative director/art director: Stephen Blair

Creative director/copywriter: Maura MacNeill

*Massey is now with The Players Film Company

8. ESPN Hockey ‘Watch the NHL on ESPN 2’

Director: Justin Stephenson

Production house: Cuppa Coffee Animation

Executive producer: Adam Shaheen

Senior animator: Justin Stephenson

Designer/animator: Rob Pilichowski

Picture editing: Tracy Lovett

9. Prince Edward Island Tourism ‘Forget’

Director: Robert Logevall

Cinematographer: David Stockton

Production house: Jolly Roger

Executive producers: James Davis, Peter Davis

Producer: Peter Davis

Music/sound: Bob Quinn Music

Picture editing: Chris Parkins, Flashcut Editing

Colorist: Bill Ferwerda, DAVE

Agency: Young & Rubicam

Agency producer: Diane Kirk

Creative director: David Adams, John Farquhar

Art director: Jeremy Carr

Copywriter: Al Moran

10. Cantel AT&T ‘Phone Bomb’

Director: Eddy Chu

Cinematographer: Barry Parrell

Production house: Radke Films

Producer: Jeff Chadwick

Music/sound: Pirate Radio & TV

Physical FX: Emre Dejong

Picture editing: Brant Lambermont, Third Floor Editing

Colorist: Walt Biljan, Command Post/TOYBOX

Agency: Gee Jeffery & Partners

Agency producer: Judy Hamilton

Creative director: Robin Heisey

Art director/copywriters: Don Embree, Allan Gee