One of Australia’s most respected feature film directors John Curran of Cherub Pictures has directed the latest Telstra BigPond commercial, featuring their much loved father and son team, Patrick (played by actor Patrick O’Meara) and Daniel (Brandon Fraser). This ongoing series began in 2005 with Rabbits and has continued through Scotsman, Kombi and Collingwood, up to this latest instalment Australia Day.
Curran is best known for directing the feature film The Painted Veil starring Naomi Watts and Edward Norton, released in April of this year to rave reviews. Previously his feature film work has included the multi-award winning Praise (1998) starring Sacha Horler and We Don’t Live Here Anymore (2004) starring Naomi Watts and Laura Dern.
Curran returned to Australia specifically to direct the Australia Day Telstra BigPond TVC, working in collaboration with Cherub Pictures’ Michele Bennett as producer.
The scene is set at a parent / teacher interview discussing Daniel’s performance at school. Classic Australia Day activities are discussed, but it seems that perhaps Daniel can still “learn more with BigPond broadband”, the concluding line of the TVC.
Working closely with creative agency Belgiovane Williams Mackay, John Curran aimed to retain the integrity of the original style of the first TVC, with understated performances that are comically timed to perfection. Using the same location and actors from the previous ads, Curran has created the perfect 5th instalment to this 3 year series that highlights the global trend towards storytelling in advertising.
[Release by tsuki]