Kieran ‘spud’ Murphy is one of Australia’s foremost directors. He now brings his creative flair, filmic knowledge, comic timing and unbridled enthusiasm to Hark Attack.
For 15 years he has completed hundreds of commercials, corporates, conceptualised and filmed TV openers, promos and drama for Australian, NZ and Asian Networks.
Kieran started his career in the film industry at Colourfilm Laboratory, Sydney in 1984, working in Australia’s top Optical effects department under the eyes of designers such as Zareh Nalbandian (Animal Logic). He worked on numerous movies in the two years he was there including ‘Phar Lap’, ‘Crocodile Dundee’ and ‘The Man from Snowy River’.
He then crossed over to TV and became an editor at the Ten Network Sydney in 1986 and after just four years was awarded the Australian Thorn-EMI TV Editor of the Year in 1990. For the next 6 years he worked as a freelance commercial editor throughout the Pacific region winning countless awards.
He made his transition to Directing in 1996 and his ethos for creating stunning visuals followed. In 1997 he was recognised for his advertising work by being awarded the sole Australian position on the Saatchi and Saatchi New Directors Worldwide Showcase at Cannes. He has worked all over the world on hundreds of campaigns with all of the regions top Agencies. His work appearing numerous times on the worldwide SHOTS reels.
In TV he became the go to Director for setting up the style and look of new shows including, MasterChef, Farmer Wants a Wife, Australia’s Next Top Model, Dragons Den, Where are they Now, Good Morning Australia, My Restaurant Rules, (GOLD PROMAX Best Opening titles on Australia/NZ, 7 Network), Home & Away, The Sex Series, Looking Good.
Spud’s postproduction knowledge is evident in the seamlessness of his work. He is recognised as a director who brings a strong visual style, coupled with wonderful character performances and a comedic touch to all his work.
Awards
2011 Winner ASTRA ‘Australia’s Next Top Model 2010’ Best Reality Show
2006 Winner GOLD Promax -‘My Restaurant Rules’ Best opening titles Oz/NZ’05
2006 GOLD Pencil @ One Show New York: ‘Tiger Interventions’ commercials
2005 1st Prize Sydney Morning Herald Landscapes Photo Comp, ‘Urban Rainbow’
2001 Winner ATV Award in Comedy: ‘Trading post’ commercials
1998 Winner Sydney Morning Herald Short Film Festival: ‘A Metro of Fridays’.
1997 Cannes sole Australian Representative on the Saatchi & Saatchi ‘New Directors’ Worldwide Commercial Showcase at Cannes.
1997 Australian representative on the worldwide Hot Shots commercial Director’s showacse.
1990 Winner - Thorn-EMI Australian TV Editor of the year.
Testimonials
‘Despite the tight budget and even tighter timeline, you have delivered a commercial that not only communicates the concept in an exciting way, but the quality of the finished film is fantastic’. Kate Christie, Brand Manager Dove, Unilever Australasia
‘Kieran ‘spud’ Murphy was truly professional and also a funny f**ker’.
Darren Lyons aka Mr Paparazzi: On Air talent for Dragons Den.
‘The McCafe ads have been the best-integrated commercials that anyone has ever done for this or any reality show. Great work mate’.
Julian Cress, Executive Producer, The Block 2011