The crew that retooled I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in the pandemic won a special award at the RTS Craft & Design Awards, which also recognised the production management leadership of ITV Studios’ director of production Sally Debonanire.
Judges praised the team behind ITVS’ reality show for “rebuilding this established show from scratch” three months behind schedule, by transforming Gwyrch Castle in Wales from an unsafe working environment into a viable location.
They praised the “relentless determination” of the large UK team assembled for the show, most of whom had not previously worked on the series.
Meanwhile, Debonnaire received the outstanding achievement award, with judges hailing her as a “a silent force, powering the TV industry behind the scenes for the past 30 years and setting a platinum stand for TV production”.
Debonnaire oversees the production management strategy for ITVs’ 30 labels across 13 countries, which have a combined annual output of 8,400 hours of programming.
Praising her “constant pursuit of excellence” and drive to innovate, they declared: “Every studio should have a Sally developing and mentoring generations of production staff.”
Within the main programming awards, two Channel 4 shows each picked up three awards.
Red Production Company’s five-part AIDS drama It’s a Sin won best drama director for Peter Hoar, who “perfectly encapsulated” its 1980s setting; drama production design for Luana Hanson’s “atmospheric and authentic” work, and drama editing for Sarah Brewerton’s “beautifully balanced storytelling”.
Meanwhile, Working Title’s recently-recommissioned comedy We Are Lady-Parts took home best editing – entertainment and comedy for Robbie Morrison’s “playful, really fresh, slick, innovative and fun” work; make-up design – entertainment and non-drama went to Claire Carter for “marrying Muslim culture with a punk aesthetic”; and production design – entertainment and non-drama for Simon Walker’s “visual feast”.
Adam Wishart took home the factual director award for his much-garlanded BBC1/HBO doc 9/11: Inside the President’s War Room, while Minnow Films’ BBC2 doc The Detectives: Fighting Organised Crime won best editing – documentary/factual, an award shared by Sam Bergson, Brad Manning and Otto Burnham.
For a full list of winners click here
