Walking around director Eddy Chu’s Doritos set can best be described as ‘explosive.’ The three-day, mid-April shoot in downtown Toronto for Hostess’ signature tortilla chip line is an effects-heavy, mega-job. And, although there is little bull, the china shop Radke Films created for the shoot still rings out with the ‘bang, bang, bang’ of shattering crystal and flying breakaway glass.
The shoot actually takes place in two ‘shops’ along King Street East in Toronto’s old town. One store is set up as the china shop while the other, right next door, is acting as the production office. A makeshift terrace overhangs both, housing makeup, cameras and special-effects gear.

Established commercial directors are the subject of this regular feature. Each issue we will profile their careers, accomplishments and the ideas that propel them to new advertising heights….

When Jenny Montford went to England in March, it was for more than boiled meat and a family birthday party as originally planned. Bedlam’s executive producer also went fishing for British directors. …

Once again, the Television Bureau of Canada is gearing up for the annual Bessie Awards honoring excellence in Canadian television advertising. The 38th awards show will be held Thursday, May 24 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in downtown Toronto.
This year’s judging panel is chaired by Robin Heisey, executive VP, creative director of Harrod & Mirlin FCB, Toronto, and vice-chaired by Rick Kemp, senior VP, executive creative director, J. Walter Thompson, Toronto. The panel includes David Chiavegato (associate creative director at Palmer Jarvis DDB, Toronto), Ian Grais (creative director, Rethink Communications, Vancouver), Cynthia Heyd (VP of broadcast productions at BBDO, Toronto), Richard Nadeau (Bos, Montreal), Jamie Way (Angel Films, Toronto), director Bronwen Hughes and Edie Weiss (Radke Films, Toronto).

The Television Bureau of Canada’s annual Bessie Awards ceremony is on track for another celebration of Canadian advertising. Despite the recent assertions by Quebec’s premier that the province is ‘a nation state,’ there is no question Quebec is still a vibrant and creative part of the country and one that is producing exciting advertising.
But why is there only minimal interest generated by the Bessies in the province of Quebec? And why is one of Canada’s foremost commercial production centres invisible at what is billed as a national award ceremony?

According to Neil McOstrich, to understand the success of Palmer Jarvis DDB’s recent Pine-Sol campaign (a possible contender at this year’s Bessies and winner of Campaign Gold at the 2001 Marketing Awards), one should look to diving or ski jumping -…

Founded by longtime freelance commercial producer Goff Martin, Vancouver-based Quixote Films has been ramping up into full-force spot production since its launch last summer. In November, Martin brought Carmen Ruiz y Laza on board as producer and head of sales. Since then, the company has been hopping.
According to Ruiz y Laza, Quixote ‘has two parts to the company: one is the production arm, providing service work, and the other is representing directors.’ The producer goes on to explain that Martin’s established group of local and international clients has given the company a head start.

Established commercial directors are the subject of this regular feature. …

Radke Films has cooked up a new identity for its storytelling wing, M.E.A.T. The division is now called STEAM and will continue to offer boutique-style storytelling spot production.
Meredith Dorion, STEAM’s executive producer, explains the rationale behind the name change. ‘We just found that after a couple of years, the name [M.E.A.T.] was not ringing as true anymore. We wanted to make it a bit more fresh and progressive.’

To some, Angel Films director Aubrey Singer’s ‘Lightning Strikes Again’ spot for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind is shocking. The 30-second PSA for the CNIB’s first lottery fundraiser is currently airing across Canada and is generating some great response…

Andy Keen’s Toronto commercial production start-up, The Horse’s Mouth, must have had a line in the launch budget for carrots. To promote the new shop, Keen shipped fresh carrots all over Toronto along with the company’s demo reel.
The Horse’s Mouth describes itself as ‘a unique company specializing in independent commercial production with budgets under $40,000.’ The company’s doors opened in mid-March, coinciding with the mass shipment of carrots and reels. ‘The package went out to 45 or 50 agencies,’ Keen says.
Whether the carrots improve the vision of those viewing the company reel remains to be seen. However, Keen is confident there is a market for his new-style company.

Talking to Palmer Jarvis DDB associate creative directors Dave Chiavegato and Rich Pryce-Jones is like doing lemonade with Robin Williams on a particularly manic day. From the hilariously irreverent to the smooth professionalism of seasoned pros, Chiavegato and Pryce-Jones are sure to keep you on your toes.
‘Rich is responsible for all the great work,’ Chiavegato begins, working his dry wit. ‘He carries the entire team. I just want to start out by saying that.’ Pryce-Jones, clearly adept at going with Chiavegato’s flow, responds by declaring himself ‘an incompetent jackass.’