Reflections on Awards Season

At the end of the whirlwind award season, I always feel a bit reflective. Grateful for the honours we have received from our peers, inspired by the great work we’ve seen, and thrilled to see so many friends and clients along the way. I’ve been lucky enough to be in the business for a few years now, and one of my favourite pastimes as I go to these shows from year to year is seeing how the business is evolving, the trends that seem to be taking shape, and the things that stay the same. 

Mostly, I’m excited by change and curious about where these evolutions will take us, but this year I noticed a trend that took me by surprise. At one of the major award shows (I won’t name names), one of our editors won the top prize in the editing craft category. A huge honour, of which we are very proud. 

What struck me as very strange at the time, though, was that the editor was not named on the screen in the credits for the awarded work. This was not just a fluke. I noticed similarly that the cinematographer who was awarded in the cinematography category wasn't credited either. Then this happened at the next awards show. And the next.

These are craft awards in disciplines which are generally the work of an individual. Why wouldn't the individual be credited? We all know that the creation of exceptional work is a collaborative process. But editing requires the dedication of the editor and cinematography is about the excellence of the cinematographer. Directing is about the director's vision and the ability to bring a team together to create a compelling film.

These awards are a highlight in careers that often span decades of hours spent working alone on nights and weekends long after everyone else has left the building. This is done for the love of the craft, not for the awards. Yet, it seems only fitting that when it is time for the awards to be handed out, the individual is front and centre in being acknowledged. It is a rare honour, and the advertising community owes it to its best and brightest to fully enable them to have that moment in the sun.