The RTS Craft & Design Awards have been announced with the BBC taking 11 and Channel 4 winning seven.
Across the 29 competitive categories, the BBC led the way with 11 wins, two of which were for Bad Wolf’s hit drama series Industry for HBO and BBC, which received Awards for Casting, and Photography – Drama & Comedy. Channel 4 received seven awards, with RED Production Company’s It’s a Sin and Working Title Television’s We are Lady Parts taking the spotlight with three wins each.
Awarded at the discretion of the RTS, the Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Sally Debonnaire, Global Director of Production at ITV Studios. The RTS Special Award was presented to ITV for Lifted Entertainment’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, for “adapting in unprecedented circumstances, recognising the production team who worked tirelessly to make the huge pivot to a new location a success.”
Chair of the Awards, Ade Rawcliffe, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to celebrate in person this year, coming together to recognise the incredible talents of crafts people across a range of categories from Casting and Editing to Effects and Makeup Design. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, all of whom have excelled in the face of numerous challenges to produce stand-out, quality programming, and continuing to show why UK television crews are held in such global high regard.”
Please see below the full list of winners and nominees:
Casting Award
WINNER – Julie Harkin & Rae Hendrie Industry Bad Wolf for BBC & HBO
“Making a group of individual actors feel like a complete ensemble demonstrated what clever casting was employed in this project, each part complimented the rest resulting in a seamless company whilst allowing individuals to shine.”
Nominees:
- Aisha Bywaters We Are Lady Parts Working Title Television, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group for Channel 4
- Louise Cross The Pembrokeshire Murders World Productions for ITV
Costume Design – Drama
WINNER – Susie Coulthard Brave New World UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group; Amblin Television for Sky One
The jury said “the striking fabrics used in the costumes sang out and rippled on screen and the futuristic and strong fashion element to the pieces captured a real sense of a new world. Luscious!”
Nominees:
- Caroline McCall His Dark Materials Bad Wolf for BBC & HBO
- Rachel Walsh The Serpent (Ep 5-8) Mammoth Screen for BBC
Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama
WINNER – Yves Barre Inside No. 9 (Series 6) BBC Studios for BBC
“The winner is a chameleon who creates chameleons. With a brand-new world to create every episode, the characters they draw through their costumes are very real.”
Nominees:
- Tim Simpson, Daniel Nettleton, Claire Horton & Derek McLean The Masked Singer 2 Bandicoot Scotland for ITV
- Yves Barre Urban Myths: Les Dawson’s Parisienne Adventure Red Production Company for Sky Arts
Design – Programme Content Sequences
WINNER – Miles Donovan, Pete Mellor & Chris Sayer 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room Wish / Art Films for BBC and Apple TV+
“Interesting. Simple and neat. Understated in a beautiful way. Allowing the viewer time to see the images.”
Nominees:
- Revenant Flooded Tombs of the Nile National Geographic
- Bigger Bang VFX Searching for Secrets Co-Produced by Bigger Bang and Saloon Media in association with Blue Ant Media for Smithsonian Channel
Design – Titles
WINNER – Peter Anderson Studio Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse Hartswood Films for Sky One
The jury said “these titles were, enchanting, playful and nicely put together. They were charming and original and were everything a title sequence should be.”
Nominees:
- Revenant Inside America’s Secret Missions National Geographic
- Liquid TV Murder They Hope Shiny Button for UKTV
Design – Trails & Packaging
WINNER – Sky Creative, gotgotneed, Coffee & TV Lions Series: South Africa 2021 Sky Creative / gotgotneed / Coffee & TV for Sky Sports
“Great energy, evoking the intensity of rivalry, capturing the mood and energy. Stunning. Bold and epic.”
Nominees:
- Claire Grey, Devon Short & Jon Turner Woman’s Hour – Expect the Unexpected Kilogramme / BBC Creative for BBC
- Sky Creative Sky History Idents Sky Creative for Sky History
Director – Comedy Drama/Situation Comedy
WINNER – Luke Snellin Feel Good Objective Fiction for Netflix
The jury felt that “the winner’s direction served the material with subtlety and style. It brought the writers’ overall vision and the script to life, brilliantly balancing the overtly comic and more serious elements to create a wonderful and coherent whole package.”
Nominees:
- Ella Jones Back to Life (Series 2) Two Brothers Pictures / BBC in association with Showtime & All3Media International
- Tom Kingsley Ghosts Monumental Television / Them There for BBC
Director – Documentary/Factual & Non Drama
WINNER – Adam Wishart 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room Wish / Art Films for BBC and Apple TV+
The jury felt that “this film gave a completely new perspective and extraordinary insight to a subject matter that has been exhaustively covered in the past. This film was beautifully crafted, perfectly paced and a masterclass in directorial skill.”
Nominees:
- Deeyah Khan America’s War on Abortion (Exposure) Fuuse Films for ITV
- Benedict Sanderson The Detectives: Fighting Organised Crime Minnow Films for BBC
Director – Drama
WINNER – Peter Hoar It’s A Sin RED Production Company for Channel 4 and HBO Max in association with All3Media International
The jury felt “the direction portrayed an intense range of emotion and also perfectly encapsulated the era, transporting audiences to a different time and place and magnificently forcing them to stand in someone else’s shoes.”
Nominees:
- Steve McQueen Small Axe Turbine Studios / Lammas Park for BBC
- Lewis Arnold Time BBC Studios for BBC
Director Multicamera
WINNER – Paul Dugdale Glastonbury Festival: Live at Worthy Farm Driift / BBC Studios Productions for BBC
The jury were “very excited about this winner and praised their amazing work, directing and executing many different styles for each of the acts in their various locations.”
Nominees:
- Julia Knowles, Nikki Parsons, Helen Scott & Simon Staffurth The Funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh BBC Studios for BBC
- Bridget Caldwell The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance BBC Studios for BBC
Editing – Documentary/Factual
WINNER – Sam Bergson, Brad Manning & Otto Burnham The Detectives: Fighting Organised Crime Minnow Films for BBC
“The best of its genre – really slick, smooth and compelling work,” said the jury. “It’s dramatic, atmospheric and filmic – the editing is the key to its energy, it’s almost lyrical – you are totally drawn in.”
Nominees:
- Eddie Haselden Doctors of War: Saving Lives ITN Productions for Channel 5
- Brett Irwin & Esther Gimenez Uprising Rogan Productions / Lammas Park / Turbine Studios for BBC
Editing – Drama
WINNER – Sarah Brewerton It’s A Sin RED Production Company for Channel 4 and HBO Max in association with All3Media International
The Jury simply said “an outstanding example of beautifully balanced storytelling. Fantastic!”
Nominees:
- Dan Roberts The Third Day: Summer (Episode 3) Sky Studios/Plan B Entertainment / Punchdrunk / HBO for Sky Atlantic
- Sacha Szwarc Time BBC Studios for BBC
Editing – Entertainment and Comedy
WINNER – Robbie Morrison We Are Lady Parts Working Title Television, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group for Channel 4
“Playful, brilliant editing – really fresh, innovative, slick and fun.” The jury described this series as really well realised in the edit – it never felt overworked and had so many different elements from fantasy to music videos to biographical. It felt effortless.
Nominees:
- Mike Holliday & Will Peverett Ghosts Monumental Television / Them There for BBC
- Steve Ackroyd Frank of Ireland A Merman Television production for Channel 4 and Amazon Studios
Editing – Sport
WINNER – Mike Osborne, Kevin Evans & Liam Scarlino BT Sport Champions League Final 2021 – Closing Music Sequence with London Grammar BT Sport
“A clear idea very well executed. Fun, nostalgic and exciting for the viewer”, said the jury.
Nominees:
- Nicholas Perry & Tom Butt BBC Sport 2020 Tokyo Closer BBC
- Robin Nurse and The Whisper Production Team Top Gun: Maverick Promo for The British Grand Prix: C4F1 Whisper for Channel 4
Effects
WINNER – Thomas Horton, Josie Henwood, Scott Pritchard & Alex Maldonado Brave New World UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group; Amblin Television for Sky One
“A Project that demonstrates perfection and passion, the judges were impressed with the quality of the work in every aspect – a team at the top of its game. They were particularly struck by the inclusion of an architect advisor in the team that really added to the quality and depth of the build of the world.”
Nominees:
- Vine VFX The Serpent Mammoth Screen for BBC
- Effects Team His Dark Materials Bad Wolf for BBC & HBO
Lighting for Multicamera
WINNER – Gurdip Mahal The Ranganation (Series 3) Zeppotron for BBC
“The overall impact was brilliant, very impressive, and clever. Every contributor was individual yet part of a cohesive whole.”
Nominees:
- Chris Rigby Jools’ Annual Hootenanny BBC Studios for BBC
- Chris Rigby The Graham Norton Show SoTv for BBC
Make Up Design – Drama
WINNER – Amanda Ross-McDonald, Clinton Smith & Ashley Powell The Watch BBC Studios for BBC
The panel described the winners’ work as “Outstanding and original. A distinctive punk aesthetic with just another level of design, prosthetics and wigs. An utterly stand out piece of work.”
Nominees:
- Jacqueline Fowler His Dark Materials Bad Wolf for BBC & HBO
- Nora Robertson Stephen Hat Trick Mercurio Television (HTM Television) for ITV
Make Up Design – Entertainment & Non Drama
WINNER – Claire Carter We Are Lady Parts Working Title Television, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group for Channel 4
“Marrying Muslim culture with a punk aesthetic was quite an ask, but all the actors looks and colour palettes were so distinctive, and enriched the comedy.”
Nominees:
- Nicola Coleman Famalam (Series 3) BBC Studios for BBC
Multicamera Work
WINNER – Camera Team SAS Who Dares Wins (Series 6) Minnow Films for C4
The jury said “this was multi camera that felt like a drama. It was standout and game changing.”
Nominees:
- Chris Miller The Ranganation (Series 3) Zeppotron for BBC
- Driift, Paul Dugdale & Camera Team Glastonbury Festival Presents: Live At Worthy Farm Driift, BBC Studios Productions for BBC
Music – Original Score
WINNER – Harry Escott Uprising Rogan Productions / Lammas Park / Turbine Studios for BBC
The jury said “this score was subtle, supported the show beautifully and allowed the story to be told.”
Nominees:
- Matthew Herbert The Beast Must Die New Regency Television International & Scott Free for BritBox UK
- Cristobal Tapia de Veer The Third Day: Summer Sky Studios / Plan B Entertainment / Punchdrunk / HBO for Sky Atlantic
Music – Original Title
WINNER – Matthew Herbert The Beast Must Die New Regency Television International & Scott Free for BritBox UK
“Haunting and powerful, brooding and intense – brilliantly sets the mood and tone.”
Nominees:
- Darren Francis Devil Among Us October Films for Investigation Discovery
- Carly Paradis The Pembrokeshire Murders World Productions for ITV
Photography – Documentary/Factual & Non Drama
WINNER – Mark Davey ITV News at Ten ITN for ITV News
The judges were amazed by the breadth and range of camera work in this category. Proving once again that British factual photography is arguably the best in the world.
They were particularly heartened by the diversity in the subject matters of the entries, truly reflecting the audience that British television serves. However, they were disheartened by the lack of diversity behind the camera, with only a few notable exceptions, and look forward to this being addressed in the future.
As for the winner… the jury said “capturing history does not happen every day. This was a case study of how good camera operators know how to be in the right place at the right time and pick the right shots under extreme pressure and stress. The world is a better place due to the footage captured by the camera work of the winner, and we owe him and his camera work a debt.”
Nominees:
- The Camera Team The Year Earth Changed BBC Studios Natural History Unit for Apple TV+
- Daniel Dewsbury & Patrick Smith Ian Wright: Home Truths Brook Lapping for BBC
Photography – Drama & Comedy
WINNER – Milos Moore Industry Bad Wolf for BBC & HBO
The jury said “the winning production was lit beautifully and the camera movement made the piece cinematic with great scale and intimacy.”
Nominees:
- Diana Olifirova We Are Lady Parts Working Title Television, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group for Channel 4
- Adam Etherington A Discovery of Witches Bad Wolf for Sky One
Picture Enhancement
WINNER – Nulight Studios, Adam Inglis & Tom Payne Earth at Night in Colour Offspring Films in association with Apple for Apple TV+
The judges were “struck by the challenges of working with material shot solely by moonlight and believed the end result to be a beautiful achievement that fully enhanced the subject matter.”
Nominees:
- Perry Gibbs The Serpent Mammoth Screen for BBC
- Dan Gill 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room Devon Atlantic/Wish/Art Films for BBC and Apple TV+
Production Design – Drama
WINNER – Luana Hanson It’s A Sin RED Production Company for Channel 4 and HBO Max in association with All3Media International
The jury described this production design as “atmospheric and authentic, feeling and breathing every moment of the characters… it really punched above its weight.”
Nominees:
- Jacqueline Smith All Creatures Great and Small Playground Television UK for Channel 5 and Masterpiece
- Joel Collins His Dark Materials Bad Wolf for BBC & HBO
Production Design – Entertainment & Non Drama
WINNER – Simon Walker We Are Lady Parts Working Title Television, which is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group for Channel 4
The jury described the winning design as “a genuine visual feast. This show looked glorious and was brilliantly thought through.”
Nominees:
- Felicity Hickson Delia Derbyshire: The Myths and the Legendary Tapes Anti-Worlds Film & Television for BBC
- Patrick Watson Apocalypse Wow Tuesday’s Child for ITV2
Sound – Drama
WINNER – Tom Corbett, Oscar Bloomfield-Crowe, Darren McQuade & Ivor Talbot Worzel Gummidge Saucy Nancy Leopard Pictures for BBC
“Really lovely work that was understated and effective, and perfectly complimented the pictures. There was an impressive use of the onset mix and that required both skill and effort, creating deceptively clever sound work.”
Nominees:
- Sound Team The Spanish Princess: Part 2 Playground / New Pictures for Starzplay
- Nigel Albermaniche, Niv Adiri & Jules Woods The Third Day Sky Studios / Plan B Entertainment / Punchdrunk / HBO for Sky Atlantic
Sound – Entertainment & Non Drama
WINNER – Nick Fry, Steve Speed, James Evans & Hugh Dwan Formula 1: Drive to Survive, (Series 3) Box to Box Films for Netflix
“Powerful and energetic sound with clever use of voiceovers and music to create pace and drama. A multi layered approach – crowd, cars, action etc which had huge impact.”
Nominees:
- Kate Hopkins, Graham Wild & Paul Ackerman Earth at Night in Colour Offspring Films in association with Apple for Apple TV+
- Sound Team Life in a Day 2020 RSA Films, Flying Object for YouTube
RTS Special Award
WINNER – I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Lifted Entertainment for ITV
“A national institution, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! has consistently performed as one of the biggest entertainment series on TV and across its 20 series has continued to grow in popularity, across all ages. In 2020, for its 20th series they were faced with a huge challenge when COVID hit and flying that year’s cohort of celebrities to its usual Australian home became impossible. They adapted quickly, and assembled a large team to find a new location right here in the UK, bringing together Show Execs, Production, Cameras, Lighting, Sound, Art, Unit etc. who decided on the historic Gwrych Castle in Wales.
Three months behind schedule, the move came with countless challenges for all departments, rebuilding this established show from scratch. The castle – which was initially un-surveyed and deemed an unsafe working environment – was transformed, with every floor and roof either reinstated or completely reconstructed. A huge undertaking for any team, let alone a team that had never worked on the show before: a big risk – but it worked.
In its new Welsh home, they not only achieved the high standard audiences expect but the series saw incredible viewership growth, exceeding the previous year’s audience figures. Without the relentless determination of its crew and editorial teams, I’m a Celebrity would not have happened in 2020 – but because of their dedication, and with Ant and Dec at the helm, they were able to bring the much-loved show with all its humour and joy to the UK public when they needed escapism the most.”
Outstanding Achievement Award
WINNER – Sally Debonnaire
“A silent force, powering the TV industry behind the scenes for the past 30 years and setting a platinum standard for TV production, Sally Debonnaire is the power fuelling the creative vision of studios, writers, directors and producers across the UK and beyond.
In her constant pursuit of excellence, she consistently finds new and innovative ways to produce high-quality, genre defining TV and she does it through inspiration, by sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge and bringing teams together to work towards a common goal. Always one step ahead, she drives technological advances that benefit the programme and ultimately millions of global viewers.
As Director of Productions at ITV Studios, Sally oversees the production management strategy for its 60 labels, based in 13 countries around the world, and making over 8,400 hours of programming every year. Throughout her 30 years of experience, she has been responsible for nationally loved and critically acclaimed series spanning comedy, drama, entertainment, factual and documentaries – including iconic titles from Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Grand Designs to The Apprentice, Top Gear and Frozen Planet.
Every studio should have a Sally developing and mentoring generations of production staff, and the TV industry has benefited hugely from her exemplary body of work over the past 30 years. We are delighted to present her with the very well-deserved Outstanding Achievement Award this evening.”
** ENDS **
Jon Creamer
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