The Award Tracey Is To Receive Today

Today's the day that Tracey receives her BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award. So what does the award look like...


Isle's creative hand behind Ullman award

A Lifetime Achievement Award being handed to Tracey Ullman by Bafta/US tonight (Fri, May 8) was cast by a company in Thanet.

Meltdowns was contacted by the artist commissioned to produce the Charlie Chaplin statue being awarded to Ullman.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is holding the ceremony in Los Angeles.

Director Sarah Craske let KOSMedia in on the secrets behind the statue.

At the company's base in Manston Road, Ramsgate, she said: “The Charlie Chaplin Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy was designed and created by the acclaimed graphic designer John Tribe, based in Whitstable, with the full support of the Charlie Chaplin Foundation.

"John has been designing and illustrating for over 30 years working on high-profile advertising campaigns as well as television titles. He also designed the BAFTA/LA Britannia Award.

"It was then cast into bronze at our foundry, before being despatched to the awards in Los Angeles.

"It is great to be part of such a high-profile international project, especially one that celebrates great British talent.

"We were also really pleased to get such great feedback from Donald Haber, the executive director of BAFTA/LA, who said that working with us had been a wonderful experience.”

Meltdowns is shortlisted in the category for Best Business in the Creative Industries for the Kent Excellence in Business Awards.

The company is working on other international art projects and offers fine-arts foundry facilities and studios.

It also runs an award-winning bronze-casting course and other education opportunities.

Launched in Ramsgate three years ago, projects have included creating artworks for Royal Caribbean's Cruise Liners, historical statues working with English Heritage and the British Museum, and delivering local art projects working with schools and Kent Adult Education.

The Chaplin award was presented during the festival as part of the 2009 BritWeek celebration.

Nigel Lythgoe, president of BritWeek and chairman of the BAFTA/LA Comedy Festival, said: "We are particularly excited to present our first-ever Charlie Chaplin Lifetime Achievement Award to a true representative of British comedy.”

For more information, visit www.meltdowns.co.uk.

Comments