Talk:Michael Ferns

Copyright problem removed

Prior content in this article duplicated one or more previously published sources. The material was copied from: http://www.michaelfernsfilms.com/biography.php. Infringing material has been rewritten or removed and must not be restored, unless it is duly released under a compatible license. (For more information, please see "using copyrighted works from others" if you are not the copyright holder of this material, or "donating copyrighted materials" if you are.) For legal reasons, we cannot accept copyrighted text or images borrowed from other web sites or published material; such additions will be deleted. Contributors may use copyrighted publications as a source of information, but not as a source of sentences or phrases. Accordingly, the material may be rewritten, but only if it does not infringe on the copyright of the original or plagiarize from that source. Please see our guideline on non-free text for how to properly implement limited quotations of copyrighted text. Wikipedia takes copyright violations very seriously, and persistent violators will be blocked from editing. While we appreciate contributions, we must require all contributors to understand and comply with these policies. Thank you. Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 14:35, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

Copyright problem removed

Prior content in this article duplicated one or more previously published sources. The material was copied from: http://www.michaelfernsfilms.com/bio/. Infringing material has been rewritten or removed and must not be restored, unless it is duly released under a compatible license. (For more information, please see "using copyrighted works from others" if you are not the copyright holder of this material, or "donating copyrighted materials" if you are.) For legal reasons, we cannot accept copyrighted text or images borrowed from other web sites or published material; such additions will be deleted. Contributors may use copyrighted publications as a source of information, but not as a source of sentences or phrases. Accordingly, the material may be rewritten, but only if it does not infringe on the copyright of the original or plagiarize from that source. Please see our guideline on non-free text for how to properly implement limited quotations of copyrighted text. Wikipedia takes copyright violations very seriously, and persistent violators will be blocked from editing. While we appreciate contributions, we must require all contributors to understand and comply with these policies. Thank you. January (talk) 17:08, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Copyright problem resolved

With the removal of copyright problems, the article has now been completely rewritten. Schmidt, ^{MICHAEL Q.} 02:48, 25 December 2011 (UTC)

File:Michael Ferns BAFTA 2010.jpg Nominated for speedy Deletion

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External links modified (January 2018)

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Proposed updates to article

Hi editors,

I’m the subject of this article. I understand Wikipedia’s conflict-of-interest guidance and will not edit the article directly. I’d like to request the following updates to bring the page up to date and improve its accuracy:

1. Replace the current lead image The present lead photo on the article was taken when I was 17. I am now 34 and have had a substantial professional career since then, so the current image no longer reflects my current appearance or professional identity. A more recent portrait has been uploaded to Wikimedia Commons here:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michael_J_Ferns_-_Director.jpg

2. Update the article name (and display name where used) to “Michael J. Ferns” For clarity and consistency with how I am credited in reliable independent sources, I would like the article and the lead to use “Michael J. Ferns” rather than just “Michael Ferns.”

3. Rewrite the article text to reflect my career to date Over the years, I’ve worked in film, television and commercial directing with coverage in independent sources including BAFTA Scotland’s own publication, Iris Prize, and trade press (LBB and Prolific North). The current text is out of date in places and also describes me as a “screenwriter,” which is not an accurate representation of my principal profession based on available independent sources.

Below is a proposed rewritten article draft with citations for editor review and implementation. If any parts of it need stronger sources or edits for neutrality/formatting, I welcome input from experienced editors.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

PROPOSED UPDATE

Michael J. Ferns (born 13 November 1991) is a Scottish director whose work spans film, television, and commercial advertising.

Ferns is best known for his prolific and widely regarded work in television advertising, where he has directed campaigns for major UK and international brands through production companies such as Rattling Stick. His commercials have been regularly covered in industry trade press, which frequently highlights their cinematic visual style, strong performance direction, and clear, character-led storytelling. His work has been commissioned by leading agencies and brands across the UK and Europe, establishing him as a prominent contemporary commercials director.

Ferns first gained recognition at a young age when he received a BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award for directing the feature film Kirk! while still a teenager. This early accolade marked his emergence as a filmmaker and led to further opportunities in both film and broadcast television.

Following this, Ferns developed a significant career in children’s television. He co-created and directed the CBBC Official Chart Show, which received a Children’s BAFTA nomination. He later directed a CBBC drama mini-series associated with The Dumping Ground (often referred to as Sasha’s Story), which also earned a Children’s BAFTA nomination, further consolidating his standing within British children’s programming.

In 2020, Ferns’ short film Better won Best British Short at the Iris Prize Festival, demonstrating his continued engagement with narrative filmmaking alongside his commercial work.

From the mid-2010s onward, Ferns increasingly focused on directing television advertising. He is represented by Rattling Stick, one of the UK’s top commercial production companies. Through this role, he has directed campaigns for a wide range of brands, including Patak’s, Wren Kitchens, and other major advertisers across food, lifestyle, and consumer sectors.

His advertising work is characterised by a strong cinematic approach, careful performance direction, and a blend of humour and emotional clarity. Industry coverage consistently frames him as a director who bridges high-end visual storytelling with commercial effectiveness, allowing him to work across both premium brand campaigns and broader mainstream advertising.

—

Sources for verification:

Director profile & career overview

Rattling Stick – Michael J. Ferns director profile (mentions children’s TV, BAFTA, commercials work):

https://www.rattlingstick.com/directors/michael-j-ferns-81e2b

Children’s television & BAFTA nominations

IMDb – Michael J. Ferns (notes two Children’s BAFTA nominations for CBBC Official Chart Show and The Dumping Ground mini-series):

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3633690/

Iris Prize – Michael J. Ferns (biography confirming the two Children’s BAFTA nominations, BAFTA Scotland win, and Better award):

https://irisprize.org/people/michael-j-ferns/

Commercials and broadcast credits

LBB – “From TV to Ads: Rattling Stick Director Michael J Ferns on Turning Chaos into Clarity” (career, commercials focus):

https://lbbonline.com/news/From-TV-to-Ads-Rattling-Stick-Director-Michael-J-Ferns-on-Turning-Chaos-into-Clarity

Short film award

Iris Prize – Better (confirms Better won Best British Short):

https://irisprize.org/film/better/

Thank you for your time and consideration! RattlingStick (talk) 08:57, 20 January 2026 (UTC)