After 25 Years, GTA Creator Finally Received Award for His Achievements. Fight With BAFTA Lasted 21 Months
One of the composers of the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, Blair Renaud, waited 25 years to receive his due BAFTA award.
Perhaps not all of you remember, but the first installment of the Grand Theft Auto series once received the London 1969 expansion pack. The extension even received a BAFTA award for best sound at the 1999 gala.
The prestigious award was then accepted by a representative of the game publisher, Take-Two company. This wouldn't be surprising if it weren't for the fact that the creators of the soundtrack - Paul Bennun and Blair Renaud - were omitted in this process. Despite the first of them being present at the mentioned gala. Paul Bennun didn't hide his outrage at the whole situation.
We went on the night, and I see this marketing dude going up and giving this shitty speech about how amazing they'd been and what great work they'd done on this title. One, I don't know who the heck you are. Two, I've never heard of you. Three, have I mentioned I've never heard of you? Four, you have nothing to do with the thing that you're claiming credit for. Nothing at all -- he explained the whole incident (via Time Extension).
After the event, Bennun lodged a complaint with the committee that awards the prize, according to reporters at Time Extension. His objection was accepted, and he eventually received his own BAFTA award.
Blair Renaud had to wait 25 years
Renaud had significantly less luck. Composer didn't quite realize for many years in which category GTA: London 1969 received the award, but once he found out, the chances of successfully claiming the statuette he was entitled to were close to zero.
As I recall it, someone at the office told me 'GTA London won an award,' but there were no details given to me whatsoever. It wasn't until years later that I found out what the award was, and how significant it was. [Since then], I have made multiple attempts over the years to get some information about it, but have never been pointed in any useful direction, or given an opportunity to make a formal request -- revealed Renaud.
The Time Extension service unexpectedly provided assistance by having their journalists support the creator and reach out to the right people. In the end, Renaud finally received the reward he was due, but the entire "battle" between Time Extension and BAFTA lasted a staggering 21 months. The process - after bringing it to a successful conclusion - was briefly described in the pages of Time Extension. The article also included thanks from Blair Renaud to the editorial staff.
It took 24 years to sort through the data and make the right connections (you being one of them), but I don't think I could ask for a more satisfying outcome. Not only do I feel recognized for my work, but I also feel like I've fought and won a battle, and made some great friends, memories and stories along the way.
Now If you'll excuse me, I should probably go purchase a bottle of Champagne.
It's easy to envision such a sequence of events in a time when the Internet wasn't as prevalent, making the flow of information and publicity of such a matter undoubtedly challenging. Today, Blair Renoud's case would probably instantly make noise and BAFTA would have to immediately correct their mistake.
