The Comedy Focus

Do jokes still land when everyone's in lockdown? We speak to industry minds about finding the funny in unprecedented times.

Insight

How to be funny in the end times

Is it possible to crack a joke after the bleak few months we've all just had? Max Barron, one half of OB Management directing duo Jones, kicks off our Comedy Focus with a look at how to find ad humour in heinous hours.

Talent

Misha Manson-Smith: Cutting to the funny bone

Editor-turned-director, Misha Manson-Smith's CV includes hard-hitting documentaries, acclaimed TV series and high profile ad campaigns. Tim Cumming talks to the industrious filmmaker about improvised Google spots, massive real-world hoaxes and why comedy is a high-wire act.

Insight

Comedy faces up to cancel culture

In anticipation of their new TV show, Humour Resources, comedy directors Adam + Dave sit down to talk about how to write about the things that make people uncomfortable, offended, and hurt... without being, like, massive jerks about it.

Insight

Standing out from the crowd: How humour helps advertisers engage with audiences

Authenticity and connectivity are just two of the reasons why Bronwyn Sweeney, Senior Copywriter and Creative at MullenLowe London, believes that making people smile is the key to your brand being memorable.

Insight

Laughing at the worst times

Making light of traumatic situations is part of the human condition, and in this profile of Greenpoint Pictures' Ghost + Cow (John Carlucci and Brandon LaGanke), the two directors discuss their polarizing short film, how comedy can converge with grief, and what advertisers can do to make their audiences laugh.

Talent

Finding the funny with Benjamin Green

Award-winning comedy director Benjamin Green has worked with celebrated comedians such as Jack Whitehall and Romesh Ranganathan. But he's also shot comedy commercials with footballers, models and athletes... not people known for their comedy chops. So, how do you find the humour when working with such talent without the joke being on you?

Insight

The lack of women in comedy is no joke

Bold’s Camila Zapiola challenges the deeply unfunny ad land assumptions that prevent women from getting the laughs.

Inspiration

On My Radar: Jim Owen

2AM comedy director, Jim Owen, appreciates Tom Papa reminding people they're doing great, loves the electrical shenanigans of one particular YouTube channel, and finds the funny in a show that's more than just dick jokes.

Showcase

Throwback Thursday: Insurance Comedy

Some insurance ads combine all the things we love about comedy - awkward situations, cringe-worthy characters, and upsettingly familiar disasters. For an industry that thrives on the less-than-ideal occasions in our lives, insurance sure does love a good joke. We've found some of the best ads that poke fun at some of our worst moments.

Insight

Comedy on a bell curve

Comedy director and laugh expert Jordan Brady, of Kaboom, delivers the Pro Tips for funny scripts and ad-libs, with all assumptions herein supported by rigorously imagined research, tested on the killing grounds of the editing rooms, and determined from super sciency screening sessions.

The Animation Focus

AI-driven tools, deepfakes, real-time 3D game engines and improvements in kinetic typography – a whole bunch of new technologies have been impacting the art of animation. Yet there’s a lot of love for simple stop-motion and old-school 2D drawings. This month, shots speaks to masters in the medium about trends in toonworld.

The Sustainability Focus

It’s the burning question – with humanity facing an existential threat more potent than war, famine or disease, how can an industry full of world-class communicators talk about the climate crisis? shots discusses low-carbon film production, greenwashing and the paradox of consumerism vs planetary survival.

The Neurodiversity Focus

With growing awareness that an estimated 20 per cent of the global population is neurodiverse - the fact that advertising needs to get on top of the spectrums is a no-brainer. This month, shots speaks to experts, commentators and ADHD/ASD-powered adfolk about battling stigma, enhanced creativity and making more ND inclusive campaigns.

The Music Video Focus

Since the 90s, when their budgets ran to millions, the internet and tech advances have made music videos easier to view, cheaper to produce and, possibly, more disposable. But is the medium a dying art, or still the best way for a director to get noticed? shots probes the state of the promo nation.