AWARD School grads go head-to-head on Gruen
Last night, the lights of prime-time television shone on some of the industry’s newest creative talent as two AWARD School 2024 teams went head-to-head on ABC TV’s Gruen, taking on the show’s key segment, The Pitch.
In a satirical showdown, teams from NSW and VIC were tasked with convincing Australians that employers should be allowed to contact them 24/7, pushing back, tongue firmly in cheek, against new ‘Right to Disconnect’ laws. The fictional client? A brand called Access All Hours.
Representing NSW were Sophie Harper (Copywriter) and Alvin Zhong (Art Director) of Saatchi & Saatchi, while VIC was represented by Elle Tattersall (Fresh Fry Graduate at TBWA\Melbourne) and Tom Badge (Creative at TBWA\Melbourne).
NSW’s pitch asked: “What if the connection we try hardest to ignore is actually the one we can count on most?” Meanwhile, VIC took a different tack, reminding viewers that while family will always be there, favourite work colleagues might not.
When it came to judging, the result was a deadlock—two votes for NSW, two for VIC. Judge Camey O’Keefe, Director of Gambol Creative, summed it up: “Both phenomenal spots. The scripting is really beautiful. They’re both brilliant.”
Mandie van der Merwe, AWARD Chair & CCO, Saatchi & Saatchi, “Gruen’s AWARD School special not only showcases the creative smarts of its graduates, but also the program’s legacy in shaping Australia’s top advertising talent.
“After forty years, AWARD School is still launching the industry’s most exciting new voices, some now making their mark on national TV.”
Says Harper: “My teammate Alvin and I met during AWARD School tutorials at Saatchi’s. A year later, and we’re not just working here, but shooting a spot in this very office to be aired on Gruen?! It’s a total pinch-me moment.”
Says Tattersall: “It was such a fun experience collaborating and working with new people – a really great way to kick off my first shoot! I picked up a bunch of new skills I’m excited to carry with me into the future.”
If you think you’ve got what it takes to join Australia’s next wave of creative talent, tune into the free AWARD School Masterclass on August 26. Learn more and register here.
Creative
Creative – Elle Tattersall
Creative – Tom Badge
Agency Production:
Producer – Phoebe Graham
Senior Producer – Libby Spark
Crew
Director – Alana Taylor
Producer – Phoebe Graham
1st AD – Jasper Sharpe
DP – Claire Giuffre
1AC – Shawkat Husseini
Gaffer – Gianluca Intemerato
Gaff Assist – Ashton Taylor
Sound Recordist – Alex Wakefield
Art Dept and Wardrobe – Milla Pearl Sievers
Runner – Alex Wood
Cast
Casting – Natalie Hall Artist Management
“Rachel” – Somerset Arnold
Zoom colleague – Michelle Fillery
Post-Prod
Offline Editor – Alana Taylor
Online Editor – Tom Edney
VFX/AI – Tom Edney
Animation – Gavin O’Brien
Colour Grade – Daniel Witt @ Moodlab
Sound Mix – Abe’s Audio
Music – Artlist
Gear provided by
The Vision House
Little Woof Lighting
AWARD School Mentors
Sarah McGregor, Sarah Vincenzini & Mandie der Merwe
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