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 well-known 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.”

Sophie Harper, 2024 grad, said: “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,” she said.

Elle Tattersall said: “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 to learn how to make your mark in the contest of ideas. Learn more and register here.

CREDITS

Victoria

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
“Rachael” – Somerset Arnold
Zoom colleague – Michelle Fillery

Postproduction
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

NSW

Creative
Copywriter – Sophie Harper
Art Director – Alvin Zhong

Agency Production:
Senior Producer – Libby Spark

Crew
Director / DOP – Sam Bruce
1st AD – Andre Muller
Cam Assist – Sinclair Suhood
Gaffer – Clay Elliot
Hair & Makeup Stylist – Tracey de Vries
Executive Producer – Tim Pietranski
Producer – Margarita Romanova
Casting – McGregor Casting

Postproduction
Premiere & AE Editor - Sam Bruce
Visual Effects – Aleks Manou
Colour Grading – Marcus Timpson
Soundhouse – Abe’s Audio
VO artist – Sally Knight
Music - Tommy H Brandon – Distant Candle, Bob Bradley; Matt Sanchez; Steve Dymond; Sarah Wassall – Look Into The Mirror 2 via The Artist

Cast
Main Lead – Tim Morandini
Boss – Ron Smyck
BBQ Couple Male – Jack Taylor
BBQ Couple female – Bretany Amber
Gamer Girl – Andrea Magpulong
Car Burger Dude – David Adlam
Dating App Doom Swiper – Deborah Faye Lee
BBQ Man – Tim Pietranski

AWARD School Mentors
Jenny Mak, Cameron Bell, Sam Chappell & Mandie der Merwe