Beyoncé’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Director To Receive BAFTA Accolade

The director of Beyoncé’s earth-scorching Super Bowl halftime show is to be presented with a special award at the British Academy Television Craft Awards (BAFTA’s).

Hamish Hamilton, 46, who directed the television footage for the February 3 New Orleans event, past credits include Madonna’s controversial Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, the 82nd Academy Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards.

The British director will receive his honor during this year’s Craft Awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts event which will be hosted by actor Stephen Mangan on April 28 in London.

According to BAFTA organizers, the award is an acknowledgment of Hamilton’s ability to “showcase live spectacles through multicamera-based television directing, with millions watching his work.”

Of the announcement, a clearly delighted Hamilton said, “I am totally thrilled, rather surprised and a little emotional to be receiving this special award. It is great to be recognized for work that surrounds me with so many talented friends.”

After Beyonce’s widely acclaimed Super Bowl show, Hamilton later revealed he suffered moments of “blind panic” during the staging of the singer’s complex show.

Although Hamilton is now best known for directing concert videos and award shows, he began his career at BBC Scotland where he was trained as a producer and director.

Early gigs included directing the BBC travel series Rough Guide To The World, later working in Manchester on The Sunday Show. He soon caught the eye of MTV and was headhunted to direct a series of entertainment based shows and concerts for the Viacom Network.

For the next 15 years Hamilton made much use of multi camera techniques, and in February 2010 directed the aforementioned 82nd Oscars, special DVDs for huge artists such as The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, U2, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Lavigne, Bryan Adams and Phil Collins.

Hamilton also took on the MTV’s Video Music and Europe Music Awards, and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows between 2003 and 2012, before directing the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

BAFTA television committee chairman Andrew Newman added: “His skill as a director allows people to share in the experience and feel the excitement of being part of a huge event while watching at home.”

Have you seen any of the shows Hamish Hamilton directed?