Best in Craft awarded to Cindy Lee from The Star Film Company and Paul Ward from Giant Films

As we look back on the amazing work done in one of the most difficult times our industry has faced, we can’t help but feel all warm inside (although that may be because we’re sitting too close to our Stage 4 Loadshedding candle, but still.) A huge congrats to everyone who has been a superhero on set, we salute you! This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by; CCO of FCB Joburg and HelloFCB, Tseliso Rangaka and Owner of Produce Sound, Louis Enslin.

‘What are the IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards?’ Every month we team up with ad industry leaders to award the finest in South African film and production craft across these different categories: Direction, Editing, Cinematography, Animation and SFX, Online, Original Sound, Sound Design and Final Mix. It’s just another way that we make it ridiculously easy to stay up-to-date with who’s doing the best work in the country.

BEST IN CRAFT (Direction Craft)
First for Women ‘Fearless’
The Star Film Company | Cindy Lee

Awarded by Louis Enslin

“A beautifully crafted, well told, impactful story with a strong message. All the elements from direction, VFX, Cinematography and Sound work well together. Love the song. Well done Cindy and team Star.”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Louis Enslin, Owner and Engineer at Produce Sound

BEST IN CRAFT (Direction Craft)
Sanlam ‘Caitlin’
Giant Films | Paul Ward

Awarded by Tseliso Rangaka

“The story of Caitlin Rooskrantz is not an easy one to tell. There’s a lot of backstory. A lot of emotional highs and lows and multiple timelines to unravel. Yet it is this complexity that makes it worth telling. I love how Paul Ward managed to distil all of this down to its beautiful essence without losing any of the powerful nuance. He gives us just enough for us to piece the puzzle together through a selection of archival footage, audio clips and, of course, the anchor moment with Caitlin on the bus. By the time we get to the end it feels like we’ve been through the journey with her. We know how she feels and what she’s got to do. The asymmetric bar sequence near the end is a work of art on its own. Please pass my regards to the editor as well.”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tseliso Rangaka, CCO at FCB Africa

CRAFT SPECIAL MENTION (Direction Craft)
CABC CareZA ‘Reflections’
Patriot Films | Aadil Dhalech

Awarded by Louis Enslin & Tseliso Rangaka

“Its close second for me for overall Best in Craft. Working with kids is generally challenging, so I can appreciate the work that went into this piece and getting that performance from the lead character. The idea is so simple, yet so effective. The bells and whistles do not always equate to a good piece of work. Crafting something simple is often more hard work. Well done!”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Louis Enslin, Owner and Engineer at Produce Sound

“This is a simple story and pretends to be nothing else. The performance and cast are what make this stand out. The boy holds the piece together brilliantly, without seeming to try hard at it. Even though the majority of the ad is on the youngster, it still felt like the man was the lead character. Any director that can get a performance like that out of a child gets my vote. Well done Aadil.”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tseliso Rangaka, CCO at FCB Africa

CRAFT SPECIAL MENTION (Direction Craft)
Hollard ‘Abantu Bazothini’
Bomb Commercials | Justice Mukheli

Awarded by Tseliso Rangaka

“There’s something in the way Justice approached the Hollard film that makes it worth a mention. Funeral cover ads usually either end up cheesy or come across as insincere. No one can pretend to know what it feels like to be the one in mourning. This felt different to me. It felt genuine and had a beautiful tenderness. The cast, the styling and performances all worked together to create a moment of real empathy. ”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tseliso Rangaka, CCO at FCB Africa

CRAFT SPECIAL MENTION (Direction Craft)
10x Investments ‘Hoverboard’
Sketchbook Studios | Ari Kruger

Awarded by Louis Enslin

“Simplicity is often the best approach for me, cleverly put together. And I’m a sucker for ‘funny adds’ I love these. Simple and well-executed. ”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Louis Enslin, Owner and Engineer at Produce Sound

CRAFT SPECIAL MENTION (Direction Craft)
(neo) normal (Short Film)
Egg Films | Robin Adams

Awarded by Tseliso Rangaka

“I watched this three times in a row and still couldn’t understand it. I enjoyed the challenge though. It’s kind of like a symbolism easter egg hunt, exploring the different ways in which the world as we know it has gone upside down and sideways. The film is completely crazy but it also makes intuitive sense. The new normal after all, is nothing but. Maybe Robin should share the storyboard with us.”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tseliso Rangaka, CCO at FCB Africa

CRAFT SPECIAL MENTION (Direction Craft)
Sowetan ‘#KNOWYOURPLACE’
The Rudeboy Collective | Mpho Twala & Monde Like the World

Awarded by Louis Enslin

“Its well put togther, well crafted, good story”
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Louis Enslin, Owner and Engineer at Produce Sound

IDIDTHAT GUEST JUDGES:

Tseliso Rangaka is the Chief Creative Officer of FCB Joburg and HelloFCB. Before that he spent 12 years at Ogilvy South Africa working across multiple brands including Volkswagen, Audi, ABINBEV, KFC and Coca-Cola. He is an active participant on various industry Executive Boards, most notably as Chairperson of the Loerie Awards (2018 – 2020). He was also voted the Most Admired Creative Leader in Cape Town in 2018. Tseliso is the recipient of numerous creative awards including a Cannes Grand Prix, as well as One Show and D&AD pencils.

AUGUST 2020_Craft Awards_Judges_LOUIS ENSLIN copy

Louis Enslin worked in theatre as FOH engineer during the late 90’s, and in 2003 he started working at Produce Sound. In 2004 he bought the company from the previous owners after relocating to the Refinery (One of South Africa’s top Post Houses in the early 2000’s). In 2012 he opened up the new four suite studio facility and started a collective with some of the top talent in South Africa.

In 2019 Produce relaunched as an Audio Agency providing creative audio solutions were they love to experiment and find new, sometimes crazy, ways to design sound and compose music. Louis won numerous awards in the advertising industry including Cannes Lion’s, Loeries, D&AD’s, Promax’s, One Show’s, Pendoring’s and was nominated for Best Producer at the SAMA’s in 2016. In the same year, Produce Sound was named the Radio and Audio company of the year at the LIA’s (London International Awards). He recently obtained his master’s degree in creative media with a focus on audio and music perception including assistive listening technologies and is also the owner of Heard and Co-owner of Heylu and Bright Above.