The Craft
Q&As and behind-the-scenes info on the latest and greatest
commercials, shorts and music videos.
How the BBC and Blinkink sculpted excitement for the UEFA Women’s Euro
Handmade down to the last thumbprint, the BBC’s UEFA Women’s Euro trailer brings football’s biggest stars to life in an intricate and action-packed claymation. We spoke to BLINKINK producer Rebecca Little about painstaking craft, uplifting tone, and why traditional techniques still score big in an increasingly digital world.
How Laurie Rowan made a cutesy curmudgeon
With its new work for Telstra, Nexus Studios has given us the most precious pessimist in recent memory. We caught up with director Laurie Rowan to find out how character design and vocal performance can sell such a sweet idea.
How Pika gave us the darkest app ad ever
With a film that switches from seeming normality to gut-wrenching (and LOL-making) bleakness, AI video platform Pika gave us commercial-watching whiplash last week. Here, we speak to the in-house creative team (Lindsay Brillson and Monica Tan), director Marie Schuller, and editor Val Thrasher about how they delighted in going dark.
How OVO gave life to electrical appliances
Eschewing CGI in favour of practical, in-camera effects, the green energy brand's latest ad depicts a playful, cinematic standoff between a man and his rampaging household appliances. Here, we talk to Saatchi & Saatchi and CANADA directing duo Réalité about the meticulous craft behind the chaos.
How Freddie Powell took a loving look at parental passion
In an acerbic short from the Drool filmmaker, premiering on shots, an ageing couple display their love through habitual disharmony and nagging niggles. Here we speak to Powell about casting, comedic timing and commandeering his parents' house for the shoot.
How BritBox brought filmmaking to life
Shot over more than 14 continuous hours, BritBox's new campaign is a filmmaking feat of ingenuity that needed rigorous planning, total precision and the professionalism of a host of departments.
How Mr Kaplin showed us what it's like to have ADHD
When Jelly director Mr Kaplin and his daughter Mia were diagnosed with ADHD, they teamed up to create an informative animation about living with the condition. Here, he shares more about their ADHD discovery, creating the film, and the connection between neurodiversity and creative minds.
How Original Source took AI for a wild ride
In collaboration with Fold7 and Private Island, the PZ Cussons shower gel brand unveils a vibrant, first-of-its-kind national TV commercial blending AI visuals with traditional live action production. Here, the director, Chris Boyle, shares all the juicy details.
Some recent interviews in our "How To" series.
How Ben Strebel fired up climate consciousness
The Biscuit Filmworks director talks us through the making of this incendiary campaign created by Mother for the advocacy group Make My Money Matter.
How Joe Connor caught Gregory Alan Isakov’s wave length
Rogue Film’s director Joe Connor explains to shots how Isakov’s emotional song Mistakes resonated with him, leading to recollections of surfers and the creation of a phenomenal promo.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, insight and inspiration for the global creative community.
How GoDaddy got Goggins in goggles
shots' Jamie Madge speaks to Go Daddy ECD Adam Nowak, Quality Meats' CCO Gordy Sang and Brian Siedband, and ProdCo director Ian Pons Jewell about the about the rug-pull Super Bowl campaign that had people clamouring over Walton Goggins' Goggle Glasses.
How Alice Mathias brought the Super Bowl audience to tears over Chamzo
The Gifted Youth director's showstopping spot for Totino's brought the creative team from niche Netflix hit I Think You Should Leave to a massive Super Bowl audience... and then had them spit out their dips. We sat down with Mathias to find out how she rocked the Big Game's most anarchic spot.
How Ruairi Robinson used AI to dance with death
With footage created entirely using AI, the Joyrider director's mesmerising music video for electronic artist Steve Moore is a modern re-imagination of the medieval Danse Macabre. Here, Robinson shares how he fast-tracked the filmmaking process, why creating with AI should be fun, and the surprising feedback the promo received on social media.