Global Production company Sweetshop has signed award-winning comedy director Andrew Chaplin for international representation.
Whether he’s creating exaggerated comedic worlds or more subtle nuanced ones, Andrew’s films are full of heart and wit. He has worked with some of the UK’s best-loved comedians, including Michael McIntyre, Charlie Brooker, Jimmy Carr, Robert Webb, Keith Lemon and John Bishop, directing an array of series and sketches with them, and many more, for television. His humiliating audition sketch ‘Fiery Hawk’ with Cardinal Burns was a viral worldwide hit and was picked up by Comic Relief for broadcast. Moving into commercials, Andrew has worked on well-received campaigns for some of the UK's most prominent brands, including BBC, Carphone Warehouse, Candy Crush and Volkswagen.
Andrew directed the “irresistible comedy that's all heart and silliness,” GameFace for Channel 4. An offbeat story about out-of-work actor Marcella starring Roisin Conaty, The Guardian critic Rebecca Nicholson described the series as “big-hearted, but never overly sentimental; contemplative, but only after it’s given you a belly laugh about how ridiculous everything has turned out to be.” The Telegraph called it “rude, raw and slyly romantic, the funniest sitcom of the year”
Other long-form narrative projects include three series of the Rose D'Or nominated comedy thriller Witless for BBC Three and physical comedy Mister Winner which has clocked up 85 million views online for its carrier bag scene.
Most recently, Andrew worked on BBC Two’s Alma’s Not Normal, a poignant comedy about a woman trying to get her life back on track after a break-up. The pilot was an instant hit, garnering 4 and 5 star reviews across the media with The Times calling it “Fleabag meets Shameless. Uplifting and strangely enchanting” and The Mirror saying “Phoenix Nights meets Fleabag, guided by the spirit of Victoria Wood”
A full series has been commissioned and begins shooting in early 2021.
Morgan Whitlock, Executive Producer, Sweetshop UK & Europe said, “Running throughout Andrew’s work is a sensitivity and empathy, seemingly at odds with some of the broader, slapstick moments he so perfectly captures. That’s why your heart goes out to his characters, even as you’re laughing yourself stupid at them.”
Andrew added, “I can’t believe I’ve convinced the guys at Sweetshop to sign me in the middle of a global pandemic. It’s exciting times for me (and hopefully them).”
Wilf Sweetland, CEO and Partner said, “Andrew is a really exciting addition to our growing in London offering as we boost our creative capabilities for brands and agencies, while focusing on Sweetshop’s local-global approach.”
Watch Andrew’s work here.
To work with Andrew, contact Morgan Whitlock at [email protected] or Justin Edmund-White at [email protected].