Acclaimed filmmaker and commercials director Lenny Abrahamson will be among the judges for the Hot Press Shoot To Thrill cinema competition for young filmmakers run in association with Carlton Screen Advertising. Abrahamson joins a panel of judges which includes McCann Dublin managing director Orlaith Blayney, Eoin Wrixon of Carlton Screen Advertising and Ian Jacobs, creative director at Windmill Lane Pictures.
The panel will be chaired by Hot Press editor Niall Stokes. Abrahamson, whose films include Adam and Paul, Garage and What Richard Did (above), is currently in New Mexico shooting his new movie, Frank. Developed by Film4 and produced by Ed Guiney, Frank is based on a memoir by Jon Ronson, about his time playing keyboards in a rock ‘n ‘roll band. Frank stars Michael Fassbender, Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Final shooting is due to take place in Dublin soon. Abrahamson’s commercials credits include Carlsberg Nightclub, Meteor with Chris O’Dowd and KBC. Orlaith Blayney was only 32 when she took charge of McCann’s Dublin office in 2003. The agency reported billings of €25 million in 2010. McCann’s has handled creative work for Coca-Cola, Powerade, Nescafe, Unilever, Boyle Sports, L’Oreal, Dairygold, Bord Bia, Tayto and Three.
Ian Jacobs is creative director at Windmill Lane Pictures. He heads the commercials department and is senior flame artist. He has worked in TV and post production for 20 years, during which time he has worked on campaigns for Guinness, Eircom, National Lottery, Harp, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Lyons Tea, An Post, Golden Pages and Heineken, along with international campaigns for Strongbow Cider and Digicel.
Entrants have been asked to create a 30-second ad for Hot Press, suitable for screening in cinemas. He or she will be named Hot Press Carlton Screen Advertising young director of the Year. The competition is supported by Windmill Lane Pictures and Ardmore Studios and the prize includes two days of post-production which the winner can use on a personal project and one-and-a-half days of studio time in Ardmore.
The closing date for entries is March 1 2013 and entries should be submitted online at www.hotpress.com/shoottothrill
