Jo de Fina’s Spikes Asia Diary #3

The OTTO Empire founder and executive producer is jury president on Film Craft at Spikes Asia in Singapore. de Fina writes exclusively for Campaign Brief.

Who doesn’t love a double entry!?

Thursday was integration judging.

Jury Presidents came together this morning to review work in a particularly interesting category.

And one thing we knew as jury members is that the work would have been entered previously in another category, so the likelihood of us being familiar with something already was high.

We’ve all talked about this a lot this week, across all the juries; enter work in the correct category. So many entries were clearly great work; just not in the categories we were judging. With award entry budgets clearly a hot topic, ensuring the work is entered into the best and most relevant category is key. Every one loves a double entry, but perhaps it isn’t always the smartest decision……. Don’t just try to put it anywhere. Put it where it belongs….

So, what is integrated work? Is it work that covers several media?

Or is it work which becomes so integrated into popular culture, the psyche, that it becomes part of the fibre of the community?

With a jury made up of the week’s presidents, there were certainly several opinions in the room. And as we discovered, various jury members who fought furiously for their country’s work to be recognised.

Again, this is where the jury system works.

We discuss as a group, put forward a case, but at the end of the day, the cream always rises to the top, and the best work is recognised. The system works as long as there is discussion and a well qualified jury on board.

I do wonder tho, whether a local to that country fighting for their work is due to being able to identify with the concept more easily, as a local, having seen it more regularly, or whether they are indeed trying to boost the trophy cabinet for their country…..

I got to leave the bubble at lunch time on Thursday. Not for the boat; we’re working our way up to that. I spent the afternoon catching up on work and preparing for the next day’s masterclass and press conferences, then headed to drinks.

Google hosted drinks last night, and I saw another side of Singapore. I left the bubble again! Hurrah!

Interesting discovery of the evening; chips and marmalade is apparently a thing.

Michael Canning, Dave Bowman and I tried it; it is a local delicacy after all…… But our culinary tastes are clearly not calibrated to Singapore’s tastes. Potato and marmalade – nah. We wont be bringing that delicious delight back to Australian shores…… I can hear the collective sigh from here.

This morning, Friday, our last day, we judged ‘For Good. With only 4 entries, it was a quick decision and I can now try and get some sleep before giving a masterclass. Why did I agree to give a masterclass? Have I really got something to say? Probably yes. I do love to talk….

The biggest mission of the week, however, is the Boat Mission. I can see the Boat Thingie through the window in our jury room – taunting me. So close, yet still unattainable.

Of course its pissing down with rain today, so that plan has been foiled. The weather has turned against us, and our attempt must be delayed.

My crew is increasing as word spreads of this expedition. Marina Bay Sands and the Big Boat Thingie has become a beacon, a shining challenge for all of us locked inside for the week judging…….

Boats, chips with Marmalade and double entries……. Sounds like a bad French Arthouse Film……Only in Singapore!