Stef Smith is shy about the AACTA nomination for Monologue, which she directed. About the AACTA nomination and Australian Writer’s Guild AWGIE win for It’s Fine, I’m Fine, for which she is the creator, showrunner and series director. And about the multiple award-winning, Iris Prize nominated short film, Joy Boy, she directed that screened internationally.
But the clever decisions, deep understanding of human character, and palpable humanity that led to those wins have become the foundations of her commercials work at Photoplay, and especially her comedy and performance directing. She creates memorable characters that connect with audiences. She uses surprising approaches that hold attention.
And recently she infused all that into the latest campaign by Aussie-owned energy provider, Momentum Energy, bringing to life an energy wave to lends a helping hand to energy users.
The campaign was created by Momentum Energy’s in-house creative team, led by Dan Forrestal. Stef’s masterful control of humour and humanness, plus new challenge, puppetry, produce a playful campaign that proves a helping hand can be really…handy, and helps Momentum to stand out against fierce, and less human, competitors.
Oliver Lawrance, managing director and executive producer, Photoplay, commented, “Stef is naturally funny but as a comedy director she’s also able to get such relatable, nuanced performances that feel grounded. Not many people know she had a past life as a puppeteer and a NIDA-trained actor… which really informs her approach as a director. It was her idea to make the helping hand a tangible puppet with a lot or personality called Hanna. It adds so much charm and humour but also gave the actor a true character to interact and perform with…which is where the magic was made.”
Credits
Client: Momentum Energy
GM Product & Marketing: Olivia Hudson
Head of Marketing & Digital: Claire McClelland
Marketing Lead – Brand: Kate Macaulay
Creative Lead: Dan Forrestal
Graphic Designer: Alice Kenny
Junior Copywriter: Annika Duncan
Production Company: Photoplay
Director: Stef Smith
Executive Producer & Producer: Florence Tourbier
1st AD: Kate North Ash
DOP: Earle Dresner
Production Design: Ruth Levi
Puppet Maker & Puppeteer: Kay Yasugi
Puppeteer: Fiona Gentle
Wardrobe: Olivia Simpson
Makeup & Hair Artist: Anastasia Pappas
Casting: Daisy Hicks Casting
Edit: The Editors
Offline Editor: Tim Mauger
Colourist: Greg Constantaras
Online Editor: Brad Smith
Music Composition: Jonny Higgins
Sound Design & Post: Sonar Music
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