BEST OF REEL: News24 Edge ’21st Birthday Speech’ directed by Peter Pohorsky at Plank – Direction & Writing Craft

“I know that a piece of film is really good when I can’t imagine it made any other way. Peter Pohorsky achieves this on two spots for News24 Edge. I’ve chosen the “21st birthday speech” as my Best of Reel because well… I was asked to choose only one. But the other one in the campaign called “Recital” is just as schweet!
A great director puts an inordinate amount of work into creating something that looks effortless and simple. Peter Pohorsky directs, art directs, casts, edits and grades the shit out of this piece. The result is a light-hearted ad that is so enjoyable to watch and still interesting enough to seek out details in the ad. Whether it’s the gentle move down from the ceiling to reveal the character who delivers a very believable performance, the birthday boy with the wicked 80’s hairstyle and matching moustache, the way the shattered light from the disco ball washes over the scene or the “journalistic” voice delivery at the end, there’s so much to appreciate. Pohorsky also predicted that the viewer would want to see more of the birthday boy and delivers by returning to a well-timed shot of the quirky character. Well done Peter Pohorsky for making this ad so damn watchable! And to the writers who practiced restraint in order to deliver a simple yet entertaining message, well done.”

SPECIAL MENTION: Nike Campaign by Lebogang Rasethaba at Egg Films – Direction Craft

“Big ups to Lebo for directing a campaign of somewhat dark, super-real, very honest commercials for Nike. He took me for a tour through the urban streets of South Africa and the unflinching minds of some powerful women. And he did it with visual gritt. Dankie Boi-Boi!”

SPECIAL MENTION: Nedbank CIB. ‘Bird’s Eye View’ directed by Kim Geldenhuys at 0307 Films – Direction Craft

“Kim Geldenhuys gets a shout-out for the way in which he directs a series of top shots for Nedbank CIB’s ‘Bird’s Eye View’ commercial. Kim beautifully marries a sequence of top-down shots with a voice over that gently pulls the viewer into the sky. The end product is mesmerising to watch. Beautifully done, Kim.”