Wednesday, November 25, 2009

140 at the Screen Director's Guild

I forgot to blog about this! I think I just had a busy week straight after! Yes, I screened 140 for the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland on the 16th of this month. A select group of directors from film and television came along as the first audience to the most recent cut of 140.

I must admit, it was quite nerve wracking! Having work so close to the project for months it is hard to separate myself from it and get some distance, enough to see if it's working, which why I thought it was important to do this screening and find out how an audience of strangers reacted to it.

I got a lot from the screening. Watching in that state, being fully aware that other people were seeing it for the first time and trying to prejudge what they might think, I did feel it was running too long. This cut is 95 minutes, up from the 80 minute version that screened at Hatchfest, which feels much better. So I need to bring it down.

With new clips going in late some of the balance was effected and carefully constructed music was thrown off too. I still need to figure it out, I'm not entirely happy with how it's all sitting at the moment. I was. But now I feel it needs a bit more time to make it the best it can be. I don't think it's going to be done this side of Christmas. But I'm sure the filmmakers involved will understand this delay. I want to present their work in the best light possible.

I've digested the comments from the night, which were positive, and where critical, constructive. So I am now able to look at the film with new energy and some distance. So I'm looking forward to getting back into it and getting it out into the world.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Iscariot in the Attic

Just back from the reading of Iscariot at the Attic Studio. Great read through. Loads of fun, and really helped a lot. As you will know dear reader, we have been working on Iscariot (Formally Night) for a long time, since July 2008! So this is a mile stone in the progress of this script. And it was really nice to get it out of our heads and hear it out load for the first time. I through some light on what needs to be looked at, and there were a couple of things. Thankfully nothing major and nothing that can't be fixed in a short period of time.

The crowd were great, very generous with their time and their comments. Most people seemed to really like, with one or two issues, again stuff, that as a first draft, will need to be looked at. Again I think it's a script that you either get or you don't, the people who did rally connected with it, really like it and were on our wave length, understood where we were coming from and even compared it to films we talked about a lot while making it, Get Carter, No Country For Old Men and the like, which was really nice. The people who didn't seem to get it again I felt like they wanted it to be a different film. It's a very specific genre piece, so I understand that.

But the night was great, 5:30 to 10:30, so 5 hours! Wow! Didn't feel like that at all, flew by. I said it after the Ghoster reading back in January, the Attic is a fantastic thing, great people doing brilliant work and creating a secure and creative environment to take work in progress and help in the building of it. For us writers it's tough sending our work into the world, especially before it's finished, so many people are all to ready and willing to shoot it down, smash up and tear it apart. But the Attic provides an environment that nurtures rather then destroys. There are other institutes in the country that could learn a thing or two from them.

My thanks to the cast tonight, they did a fantastic job. And very special thanks to Camille, who organised the night and assembled everyone... and made us tea! Awesome as always! My thanks to the audience for coming out on such a miserable night and for all the feedback, it's really going to help us on the journey to getting this film made.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Stripped-Down, Raw and Angry.

A busy couple of weeks. I'm so grateful for everyone for the positive responses to the clip from 140. With regard the to the film itself, I had hope it would be finished by now, but I added in some new clips, which made the film longer and feel longer too. So I need to bring it down again. I also had a screening for the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, which went great, but through up some issues. Not only from the comments for those present, but with myself as I watched it with an audience for the first time.

The general response was a positive one, but I felt while watching it, and people confirmed this afterwards, that it was too long, fatigue was an issue, simply because as the audience you were never sure when the film was going to end. So I need a little more time to pace it better and address that issue. I have an idea though, which I think will work well. The sound needs to be sorted out and timing with music, the new clips effected a lot of the previous decisions I had made with regard to that.

But overall it was a great experience. I think if I just take a little more time with it now it will be a better film for it. So bear with me a little longer!

In other news, Iscariot (previously Night) is in the hands of quite a few people at the moment and we are getting a very interesting response. It's the first script I've written that has divided people in such a polar fashion. People either love it of hate it - and I mean hate it!

It's a brutal and violent script, but it really seems to have effected it's readers, perhaps more than they would like to have been effected reading a script, and they have been none-to-pleased about it, which is great, it means we've done our job. The people who loved it are thrilled by it and have actually read it over and over. They find it visual, visceral, fast paced and thoroughly entertaining.

We wrote Iscariot to tell a story in a very specific genre. It's a B-Movie and a modern take on Film Noir, in a stripped-down, raw and angry way that is raging against the state of the country at the moment. And while it's not about that specifically, it is certainly draws from the feelings that are created because of this situation: angst, anger, panic, betrayal and disillusionment. I think we achieved that.

But it's odd, that's what the critics are criticizing it for, they don't seem to realize it's effecting them for that very reason, because it's successful. They don't want to take the script for what it is, they'd rather it be something different and interpret the negative feeling they have been left with as failure, it's not, that's how we want you to feel. We want you to be left with that sour taste in you mouth because that's what the film is about, it's a cry, a rage, it's angry and unapologetic for being so.

There's no escaping that, and why should we try? Why can't cinema be about pushing audiences to places they don't necessarily want to go and exploring these emotions. Take a film like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, much loved, but equally reviled. The people who hate it do so because it's so vile, failing to see how successful it actually is. The filmmaker has achieved what he set out to do. You don't have to like it, but you must not dismiss it out of hand because it's not The Sixth Sense.

But I guess some people are like that. I remember watching Roger Dodger with a friend once, she didn't enjoy it very much and at the end said, "it would have been better if it was a comedy with Adam Sandler!" ;)

All that is not to say the script doesn't need work, we have been working on it for a long time but it is still a first draft. To that end we are holding a reading of the script on Tuesday night with the Attic Studio, thanks again to Camille Donegan, who has organised it. So we're looking forward to that. It will help get the script out of our heads, let us hear it for the first time and we can gage a reaction from the audience as to how it plays. I'm sure it will have the same reaction as the private readings, there will be people there who love it and hate it alike! Hopefully more the former!

Not much else going on. Saw "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" and loved it, I'd highly recommend going to see it. Gilliam is awesome. Go see it.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

The 140 Trailer

Friday, October 30, 2009

Good Week / Bad Week

As the title suggests it was both a good week and a bad week, in equal measures. It start off good. On Tuesday Thomas and I finished the first draft of 'Night', now retitled 'Iscariot', so we were both very happy about that. The script has been about 2 years in the writing! Very unusual for us, we're usually pretty quick.

Thomas came up with the idea 2007, I was in LA at the time. I was on the bus going from Sherman Oaks to Hollywood and he was here in Drogheda and we were texting back and forth (Cost me a bloody fortune!) But he told me his idea and I thought it was great. I was a little jealous to be quite honest, we were actually work separately at that stage, disillusioned by several years of rejected scripts lead us to go our separate ways for a time.

So I went about my business, when several months later, June 2008 in fact, Thomas and I met again at my Grandmother's funeral. We got talking at the wake, asking each other about what the other was working on, nothing really, so we decided that perhaps we should give it another go and see if we could write something new.

We met a couple of weeks later to talk about it. Thomas had a new idea for a short film. I thought about getting back to work on 'The Anatomist'. We figured trying to make another short was a waist of time. For the amount of time and energy that would go into it we could, should at this stage, make a low-budget feature film. And 'The Anatomist' would be a huge amount of work for no return. I mentioned Thomas' idea, 'Night', I said if you're up for it we could write that. Thomas said yes.

He had the start of the script, and a vague idea of how to get to the middle and, and the final scene and that was it. But it was enough. We sat down for two weeks and mapped out the story, we changed the entire centre piece of the film, the main action, added new characters, took a couple away and crafter the story, while trying to keep the feeling and atmosphere that existed in the original idea.

We blasted that into script form in the following two weeks. So by the end of the summer '08 we had a script to work from. Neither of us had any idea in would be another 14 months before we could call the first draft done. Life got in the way I guess. Thomas got busy at work. I ended up shooting Slán and 140, while Thomas started prepping an ill fated animated short called McBride. But nowhere along the line did we ever think we wouldn't finish it. We just took our time with this one. Let it breathe.

So it's in the hands of a few trusted people at the moment. We'll see what they think and figure out our next move after that. Hopefully it will be a step in the production direction!

Then came Wednesday. I was suppose to by shooting this week. I have a paying gig which is being delayed and delayed. Largely due to access to a camera, but also the weather. I finally got the camera, but it hasn't stopped raining since. Incredibly frustrating.

Same day I got word from Network Ireland Television their UK distributor was in town and they wanted to rush through a contract for Bill, For Short and get it onto their Documentary presentation DVD. Great news! But it also meant they needed a Beta. I don't have one! Unfortunately with cash being the way it is I couldn't afford to pay someone to transfer it. So I scrambled, to no avail, to find something. They then told me a mini DV would work for the time being - great I thought, I have the camera, no worries - you would think...

But I had tech issues on both computers and for some unknown reason and could not output the film to tape... maybe the firewire cable I have is out of commission, I don't know, but after the initial thrill of getting signed, I spent most of the day banging my head against the desk thinking it wasn't going to happen. Luckily they agreed to take a hi res .mov file on disc for now. But I still need to organise the Beta. That's a headache for another week!

Yesterday and today were washouts for filming, a week wasted on that job. The distraction of getting Bill, For Short organised and a few other things meant I didn't get a chance to work on the final cut of 140, so I'm a week behind on that. But I did get a call from Dermot O'Mahony, the composer, who popped in to have a look at the film, he liked it I'm happy to say and liked the situ of his music. Later that day he provided me with 2 new, and awesome tracks, with more to come.
video
Today was spent paying bills and posting films. I bought a cool toy chest/bench for the babies room fro next to nothing and a second biography of Sam Speigel for €3! Hurray! I also rented Drag Me To Hell for tonight in celebration of the season!

So all in all a week of ups and downs. But I guess more ups then downs. I still have lots of work to do before the baby arrives, domestic and film-wise. So hopefully time doesn't get away from me and I can get 140 finished and out to the filmmakers for their screenings. A week of ups would help!!!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Slan agus Beannacht Premiere

(Pascal Scott, Me & George "Bosco" McDermot at the screening)

A successful night last night. We had a good crowd, a full room. Everyone seemed to enjoy the film, good comments afterwards. Everyone involved in the film, cast and crew, seemed happy, so that made me happy! It was certainly a relief. So now it's out in the world. First public screening done!

It will be interesting to see where it goes next and on what journey this film takes me. I'm sure there'll be a few surprises! From passed experience I imagine it will take a couple of months to bite, maybe in the new year, then hopefully it will start rolling.

My thanks to everyone who attended last night, I appreciate you turning up and to everyone who came to the pub afterwards... especially the brave (drunken) souls who stayed on till 4am! Ouch! I was fine this morning I must say, I was secretly watching what I was drinking! I know a couple young Cork lads had a tad more and certainly paid for it this morning, if they hadn't told me I might have guessed from the grey tone to their complexion! - safe home boys! Thanks for making the trip.

Special thanks to Mark Kearns for the use of the space and helping to organise the event. And of course to my beautiful wife Maryann who spent all day preparing the food and then served it and the wine at the event, she was on her feet all day - and at 8 months pregnant that's no easy thing!

One surprise was how complementary people were of the song "Rest" at the end of the film, alot of people really liked it, some more then the film I think! So thanks again for the kind words! So here it is again for your listening pleasure ;)


There are a list of people I need to thank, so here they are:

Fundraiser prize sponsors:
Salthouse - Picturehouse Mural Design - The Wine Buff - Frames Unlimitied - Beulah Print - Kodak Express - Droichead Arts Centre - Free Spirit - Fox Jewellers - Eastern Seaboard Bar & Grill - Stockwell Artisan Foods

Jason Byrne

Paddy McArdle

Robbie Bonham

External Sounds

Drogheda Burrough Council

Dom Wilton

Briege King

Sharon Tuohy

Dundalk College Nursing Department (not right name)

McHughs Pub Drogheda

TP McHugh

Sandra Gough

Richie Quinn - Donnation

Marie Mulligan – Scholars

Shcolars Townhouse Hotel Drogheda - Accomadation

Anne O’Brien

Gary Delaney

Johnny Thornton

Patsy & Anne Fagan

Darren Thornton & Collette Farrell at Calipo Picture & Theatre Company

Camille Donegan

Mark Lebenon

Caroline Farrell

Crew

Eoin McGlaughlin - Lighting

Maryellen Darby - Make-up Artist

Sue Downey - Sound Recordist

Graham Newcombe - Sound on Last day

JJ Rolfe - Director of Photogrpahy

Cast

Paschal Scott – Pat

Tony Leddy – Office Manager

Rory Mullen – Liam

Elaine Reddy - Ann

Noel Kelly – Brian

Ann Russell – Mrs. Smith

Gerry Shanahan – Charlie

Frank Kelly - Bartender

Gary Clinton - Himself

Teen Gang

Shane Murray Corcoran – Paddy

Eric O’Brien – Anto

Conor Branigan – Freddie

Andrew Gallagher – Tom

Office Staff

Anne Lawlor

Eamon Lawlor

Wendy Tinsley

Maryann Kelly

Dom Wilton

Other credits

Sandra Tuohy – Medical Advisor

Dom Wilton – Production Assistant

Maryann Kelly – Production Coordinator

&

Eddie and Macka for help with equipment and Mark Kearns for the space for the screening.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Inspiration in the Heartland

I just wanted to mention the Heartland Film Festival, which begins today.

This festival changed my life, no question. It was great for me professionally, it lead to the sale of my first film and inspired and fueled me to carry on making films in difficult times.

I also made many great friends while attending. I remember in my acceptance speech I was swept away with the emotion of the event and the night and said "I've made friends in this room, that I'll probably have for the rest of my life, I didn't expect that to happen." Afterwards I kinda felt a like I was being a bit hooky! But as it happened, I was right, I made many great friends who I still stay in regular contact with 3 years on. In fact 10 of the 140 filmmakers are past Heartland award winners. And of course co-pilot and good buddy Elliot Kotek, who has been a good friend and support these past three years, I met at Heartland.

On a personal level I did of course meet my wife there, Maryann Koopman, now Kelly! She was the film researcher and coordinator and the one who found my film. We communicated professionally leading up to the festival. I remember our first conversation, I actually thought for a second that the first call from Jeff, the president of the festival, was a prank! I have comedian friends who have on occasion called with phony accents! But then Maryann called to organise things and fill me in, phew! I had actually won something!!! But little did I now that the woman I was speaking to would be standing in that very same room today as my wife of one year and pregnant with our first child - due in 7 weeks!

Emily's Song won the Crystal Heart in 2006 and Bill, For Short was an Official Selection in 2008. I have remained in touch with the festival and hope to screen again there someday with a yet to made film!

The festival shows a diverse range of exceptional films that promote and celebrate the human spirit. If attending you are guaranteed to be moved, inspired, awakened and changed.

Best of luck to everyone at the festival, hope you have a great year. And to the filmmakers, enjoy! It doesn't get any better than this!

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

The Last of the Rent Collectors


Here's the piece from Nationwide tonight. The sad story of the last of the Irish Rent Collectors, Bosco, the inspiration behind Slán agus Beannacht. Enjoy.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

The Week So Far

It's been a busy enough week. Didn't touch 140 after the Hatchfest screening, kinda needed a break, but I'll get back on it for the final run in. Should be finished in a couple of weeks. Then I can explore dates for the premiere. I'm thinking late November.

Tomorrow night Slán agus Beannacht features on Nationwide (7pm RTE), should be interesting. The piece they did on Bill, For Short was nice, so I imagine this one will be interesting too. Bosco's a great guy anyway. He was down here yesterday with a photographer for a newspaper article. I'm not sure what newspaper. It's a piece by a freelancer who's going to try to sell it to the Star, Herald or Mail... so we'll see - will post.

I set a date for the Slán screening, October 16th, for cast & crew and guests. I'm not sure if there will be further screenings for others to see the film. I'll post if so.

Not much else going on. Looking at editing a documentary about a man who ran around Denmark with a ladder on his shoulder for charity. Just looking at the footage now. Wondering how I might carve out the time to cut it. Might prove impossible, at least this year. Has potential though.

Night is still on the back burner. We've given it to our wives to read, check for typos and any minor or major plot holes we may have missed, and basically to get a general reaction before sending it into the world.

Meantime here are a couple of new items: Piece today on IFTN and an interview I did with 140 filmmaker Kellie Ann Benz for her blog, The Shorts Report.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

4000 miles

140 screened without a hitch at Hatchfest this week. It was quite nerve wracking on the day, even though I was 4000 miles away! Still, the idea that an audience anywhere was about to sit down to watch it was a scary prospect! Still, reports suggest they liked it thankfully!

(Some comments after the screening)

In other news, I'm back on Nationwide. This time with Slán agus Beannacht, my much delayed short film. It will be part of a piece about the man who inspire the film, Bosco, my old rent collector who was taken off the streets a placed in an office after 35 years of doing the same route. Sad really. Tune in at 7 on the 7th to hear his story and see some clips from the film.

I'm also holding a screening of the film on October 16th, 8pm, Boyne Books in Callan Artat Callan Art thanks to Mark Kearns, owner of Boyne Books, who is providing the space. Mark has been great, he has kept my Old Shoes and Broken Walls exhibition hanging for two months and provided the space for a recent Bill, For Short screening. Everyone should go down to Boyne Books and buy books from him today, he has a very unique selection of Irish history, literature and poetry - well worth a visit.


Saturday, September 26, 2009

140 is Hatched

140 is getting it's first sneak peak screening this Thursday, October 1st at 5pm in Bozeman, Montana, USA, as part of Hatch Fest!

This is an exclusive sneak peak at a rough cut of the film. While 85 minutes long it is not yet finished. It's close. But I still have some clips to include, music to add, sound mixing to do and editing to finish. That's not to say I'm not happy with it as it is, I am, or I wouldn't be screening it!
I'm excited to be screening at Hatch, it's a festival I've been keeping an eye on for a couple of years and I think it's a good fit for this project. They seem to encourage and support new and diverse filmmaking. I'm only sorry I can't attend - and being as Bozeman happens to be my wife's hometown it makes our inability to go all the more disappointing. But I'm looking forward to hearing how it went. I hope we pull in a good audience and I hope they enjoy the film.

I will continue the cut soon, probably next week sometime. I expect some more clips in, some more music and I'll get down to a good sound mix and start trimming the fat. There were a couple of little things i wanted to do for the film but I ran out of time, things with the credits and some graphic stuff. I'll be able to get all that done for the premiere, which will hopefully be late November/early December time. I'll keep you posted of course!

Frank out.

Monday, September 21, 2009

First Cut Finished

That's right, the first cut is finished and will be winging its way to Hatch Fest tomorrow. Pulled an all-nighter last night, 20 hours straight on the computer, from 12pm on Sunday to 8:30am on Monday. I'm feeling fatigued! But it was worth it, and it needed to be done.

At the moment the film stands at 85 minutes. There are still some clips missing. So while unfinished, the Hatch preview will be close to the end film. The final film will feature the remaining clips, ten or so. But I'm happy with it. I think it works. I think I have what I set out to achieve - can't ask for more then that! But I had great footage to work with. Everyone involved did all the work, I just set the stage.

The music was a big and welcome surprise. I didn't think it was going to come together, but serendipity intervened and along came Johnny Crean, Eoin McCabe and Dermot O'Mahony! Johnny and Eoin provide several songs, which are great and Dermot came along with what ended up being a full score for the film, which is what I had hoped for! So the credits read: Music by Dermot O'Mahony, Songs by Johnny Crean and Eoin McCabe.

I had originally intended asking a known composer or band, but then the idea of using Independent artist dawned on me. It makes complete sense, the essence of this project is one of Independent filmmakers creating art together for nothing, stands to reason that the music should be by Independent musicians.

It's not finished yet, still some work to do, but it's a milestone. From an idea one sleepless night to this in such a short space of time is pretty amazing!

OK, it's late and I'm in need of sleep! More soon.

Ps. Here's an interesting link! Turns out I'm one of 7 fascinating filmmakers to follow on twitter, in a list that includes David Lynch and Michael Moore! Fair enough! Pretty cool though. Thanks Fast Company!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Would I rather be in the pub?

No, is the answer! I'm living the dream baby!

3:13am in the very early morning of Sunday the 20th of September. Outside my window the neighbours return from the pubs and clubs, drunk and merry, back to their home to their beds to their waiting wives, husbands and hangovers. I, on the other hand, am tucked up by the warm ambient glow of my Mac and the ever decreasing rendering bar that has become the bane of my existence.

I have 1 hour cut, perhaps a bit more. Still a ways to go. I still about 30 clips yet to tackle. Tomorrow will be full on, no question, and me thinks a day without sleep. I'll be hitting the hay after the current cut renders. Hence this post, killing time, 12 minutes and counting.

Music is coming together. As mentioned Johnny Crean dropped in a couple of tracks during the week. A nice swingin waltz called 'Dublin Blue Sky'. Works well with a couple of clips. Met with Dermot O'Mahony on Friday, the gave me a few tunes, I think I took 2 from the disc he gave me: Glacier and Proximity Flight 1 (which I was able to break into three usable sections - that's value for money!). Both instrumental pieces, all work really well in the segment I found for them. And Eoin McCabe dropped in today with some songs. Eoin's a damn fine singer songwriter and has a lot of nice tracks. I picked two from the disc, 'New Day' and 'It's Not Right', with more to come.

So the music has actually come together quite well, and quite quickly. I was worried about it. But it's worked out really nicely. The tracks certainly pull it all together. And it's really nice to be able to give room to indy artists too, and to friends. People I've known and listened to for years and who've entertained me in local pubs and club, nice to be able to give them a world stage of sorts.

I'm confident it's going to come together to be a really interesting film. I hope everyone involved agrees and I hope it finds an audience.

Well, 12 mintutes are up. Better trim this scene and then off to bed. I'm on the Pets sequence at the moment!

More later.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Another late one!

1am and still plugging away on 140. It's coming together. I'm happy with it so far. I have about 45 minutes down. It's tricky, no question.

Trying to find clips that match, that can sit side by side has been easy enough. The difficult part has been moving from theme to theme. The power of split-screen has been invoked, be warned! But I think it works, and I think the clips that play on screen at the same time are complemented and indeed enhance by one another.

Music has difficult. I have a temp track of popular songs that works well that will of course be impossible to use, even for non-profit/non-commercial festival us we're still talking €500 a song for one year! It adds up.

I wont have time to put the call out to indy bands before Hatch Fest, but at this stage I'm not worried about that. Hatch will be getting a working version. It's too close to have a finished film ready. The late clips and August ruled that out.

I'll keep cutting after Hatch (so for the late late filmmakers who thought they missed out there's still a chance send send send) and pull in as much on the music side as possible. I'll still have a decent cut for Hatch, it will feature all the clips I have and will be the best editing job I can do with the time I have. Have no fear there! But I wont consider this screening the world premiere, it's a preview of a work in progress. What I want to do for the premiere is something altogether more exciting and ambitious.

140 premieres around the world on the same day!

Yup, you heard me (read me!). As promised I'll send everyone involve a disc. That disc will be you master, so I suggest making an instant copy, putting it on your hard drive and then keeping it in a safe place... because I wont be sending replacements, I'll tell you that now! - Then I'll set a date that works for everyone and on that day I want you, the filmmaker, to organise your own screening in your hometown.

It can be as big or as small as you want it to be. You can have a party, do it in a club with guests. In a local theatre, roll out the red carpet, invite the local press. Or screen it at home with your family and/or friends. 140 premieres for 140. We'll make it a world event!

But that's all in the future (the not too distant future) first I have to finish the cut! So I better get back to work. More soon.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Ten Thousand Thank Yous!

I've reached 10,000 hits on this blog and I just wanted to say thanks for everyone who reads it.

I hope you find it interesting, informative and even inspirational in some way. I set it up three years ago as a kind of online journal about my own journey as a filmmaker. I've tried to be candid and honest and offer as much advice as possible.

I divided the blog into three some time ago, here, frankasides for links and tips and my photography, but Celluloid Journey as always been the main stay and I'm happy so many people have stopped by. I hope you will continue to do so.

Thanks again.

Best
Frank

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Must be morning, because 'Night' is finished!

Well, we did it, 2 and half years since the idea was first mentioned and 14 months of sporadic writing, Thomas and I finished Night today.

It was a surprise, especially after losing a draft, having to write another new scene and figuring we would have to rewrite the ending, which as it happen we didn't, we thought there would at least be another two full days in it, if not more. But no.

The scene today was fun to write. It was something really old school, as the entire film is. Taking it's ethos from 30s and 40 s American cinema. Giving the audience something plenty to figure out, revealing only what's needed and no more, not being gratuitous with the action (although you might disagree if you read it!) giving the characters a dark and sinister past which is never entirely revealed, except in tantilising morsels.

I have to admit, there were times when I thought this script would never get finished, and I'm sure all the people who are waiting for it probably thought it too! I remember talking to people last summer about it, thinking it would be finished in a couple of months! One summer later, and into Autumn, here we are finally.

Tomorrow is for typos. Next week is for family members. The week after - trusted friends and then it goes out into the world and we begin the journey of trying to get it made. So hopefully this blog will be full of news on that front.

140 is going well. Last three days were long edit sessions, until 1.30am each morning. Writing today gave me a well earned rest so I can go back to it tomorrow with fresh eyes. I'm working on separated sequence, when they're done I'll out them together in an over sequence that works and begin pacing for the over flow.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

It's late.

The edit is going well. Getting complicated and little tricky now though. Mainly because of the different types of files .avi .mov .mpeg .mv4 and so on. So lots of converting, and a hell of a lot of rendering, which slows the process down to no end.

My hard drive is also filling up fast. I feel like I'm in a leaky boat bailing out water - Hence the loss of the Night pages two nights ago. Luckily enough I remembered the scenes pretty well and managed to rewrite them in a short space of time.

Well, this cut is going to be rendering all night, so better go to bed. Or maybe I should give my computer a rest and render tomorrow while I write.

Anyway, that's Wednesday down. 13 days to personal deadline... will I make it?! Tune in next time kids to find out in an all new episode of "Frank edits a feature length film in two weeks".

That's all for now.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Back up Back up Back up

Always back up your files, and not just in one place, on your hard drive, an external hard drive, a disc, email it to yourself. I just lost a latest version of Night, and with it a scene we had been working on for a week. Admittedly the loss is not as bad as I had first feared. I thought I had lost all summer's work, but it was just a weeks work and one scene. Still, it was a bloody hard scene with a lot of nuances that are going to be hard to remember. Live and learn.

In other news, 140 is in full edit. It's coming together nicely, I'm happy with it so far. The opening sequence came in at 1.40 minutes, which was not planned! Must be on the right track then!

I'm still absent music, so will have to temp track and record my own stuff for now. Hopefully I can find someone soon, someone reliable! In my experience very hard to come by on the music front, which is why I've always done my own music.

So I'm concentrating on that entirely. With an aim to be finished entirely in two weeks from today ready to mail to Hatch Fest. Have no doubt. I'll make it. I have no choice. Nothing like a fire to get you moving!

More new soon.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Friday Sep 11 final Deadline for 140 Clips

Still getting 140 clips in, which is great! Shannon Mullen, James Gross and Zach Helm today, thanks guys. I still expect more but as you all know the edit has begun and you may also know that the first screening in scheduled for Hatch Fest at the end of this month. So I'm sorry to say any clips not received within the next week, say - by Friday 11th, are out! Sorry, but that's a 42 day extension on the original deadline and I just can't delay it anymore!!!

Hatch Fest has their new site up, looks great. Click here to see the featured films, including 140.

Slán agus Beannacht is screening as part of the film tent at Electric Picnic this weekend, tomorrow and Sunday, so nice little preview there before the official premiere. I wont be there myself, but for anyone heading that way it's on on Saturday at 3.57pm (why not 4pm I don't know, but there you have it!) and on Sunday at 7.43am (weekend of random times!) so you can watch completely exhausted from not having slept the night before... might help you fall asleep!

The screening is thanks to Brendan Phelan at Crewger.ie, Suzanne Murray at the Irish Film Board and of course the wonderful folks at Electric Picnic, thanks all. Also a special thanks to Noel Brady who organised the screener, thanks Noel.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

T-time

Just a reminder guys! 140 T's still available!!!

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

A Day.

You may have noticed (or not) that my production company website www.palestoneproductions.com, is gone. That is because Pale Stone Productions is no more (as a Limited company at least.) Due to the current financial climate I have been forced to close the company I have been trying to build up over the last 4 years.

Thomas and I set up Pale Stone Productions in 2005 to house our own films. It was a name to work under as a creative team. But I always wanted more. I wanted to work with other people, to produce works by other writers (as I had tried to do with Caroline Farrell and her script Adam earlier this year.) It could have happened, should have, but what has been the best year of my life creatively has also turned out to be my worst year financially. If I had been in this position 3 or 4 years ago, Pale Stone Productions could have benefited hugely and grown a great deal.

It wont effect my creative endeavors, I will write the same scripts I had planned, I will promote Slán agus Beannacht as planned, I will edit and promote 140 as planned, but it will just be as myself, by myself and not under any other name or company.

The situation is increasingly frustrating when unable to acquire paying gigs, unable to find funding from the likes of the Irish Film Board or the local enterprise board, unable to even find a regular part-time job to support myself, and with a wife and baby on the way and bills falling into arrears needing to be paid, I find myself in a loathsome position - I am left with no other option but to sign-on and claim social benefit.

It is made even more frustrating by the fact that I have a company that I work at for 60 hours plus a week. I develop scripts, edit films, promote them, push them, the company and myself out into the world to gain some form of notoriety so I can build something worthwhile, something I can make a living from to support my family with.

But as I have found, there is no support or encouragement for that. The only support available to get out of the hole I am in is to sign-on, and to do that I must first give up everything I have worked for, and prove to them that I have nothing before they will help me.

So I have to strike-off the company. To do that I have to get a letter of no objection from the Revenue, then I have to advertise in a national newspaper that I am closing, cut out the ad and send that with the letter to the Companies Register Office to request that they strike me off. Here's the thing, to place this classified ad in the paper costs between €250 and €360! Which I don't have... so I have to spend money I don't have, making sure I have absolutely nothing, before I can apply to officially have absolutely nothing, before I can ask for help to get something! - Am I missing something here, or is that just Fucked?!

Can't I keep my company and continue to work at it, try to build it up and find an income with what I do best, what I'm trained to do? Can't they help me to do that? - NO. I have to give it up and seek work doing whatever else there is, sales person in a mobile phone store, a supermarket packer, a building site laborer, it doesn't matter what, so long as I find work. Which is fine and understandable, but in my opinion - a waste. I have skills as a filmmaker and as a writer. I have an award-winning company that just needs some more time, that could earn revenue if only I was allowed to keep it.

With the film industry in the country in crisis shouldn't everything be done to help me keep my company? Rather then forcing my to close it so I can claim a miniscule amount from social welfare to look for any old job. I don't want social welfare. I want to work, I want to keep working at what I do best and continue making films and continue working on creating new cinema in this country.

But I can't. There is no work out there. No one is willing to pay for it or to invest in it. So I must go back to where I was 5 years ago, back to square one to continue the struggle because of the choice I made to be a filmmaker. Although, with 14% of the country in the same boat I'm not sure it's just because I'm a filmmaker. This recession has hit Ireland hard and there doesn't seem to be any kind of up turn.

Be assured, regardless of what I have to do to stay afloat financial in this testing times I wont abandon my projects, especially not 140. It's going ahead as planned and I'll be putting the same amount of effort into finishing it as I did into starting it. So I will continue to update this blog as if nothing has changed, and if somehow you have this post erased from your memory then it will be like nothing has changed. I wont let the bastard get me down. I have to much to do.

--

I must admit I hit a low point today. I was feeling somewhat despondent. So I ventured out, away from the job searches and pile of bills on my desk. First to pick up my photos from Boyne Books (my exhibition ended yesterday) but the owner Mark said I could keep them hanging there for another week and that he would drop them up to my house - great!

Then I walked over town. Feeling somewhat parched I thought I would drop into one of my fav coffee shops when I suddenly remembered I had no money, so I changed direction - and walked straight in a Coke promotion where I was hand a free can - nice!

Then I walked through a mall, where I saw a tiny Nike shoe, and ahead of that, a tiny shoeless person, being pushed in a stroller by an oblivious parent. So I picked it up a ran, eventually catching up to a very thankful parent - good deed for the day!

Then I checked my bank and as it happened I had money in there for once, hurray! So I decided I would go for lunch. On the way back trough the mall, drinking my free coke, another happy free-coke-drinker smiled at me and raised his can, I raised mine back - that made my laugh inside!

On I went for lunch to my regular spot, but for some reason my card would not work - don't know why. So I went to an ATM, but I couldn't take money out!?! Slightly embarrassing. I went back to the cafe, they were already toasting my sandwich, to apologise, but they said it was fine and credited me because I'm a regular! Thanks guys.

I think the universe was on my side today!

Monday, August 24, 2009

On me Holliers!


I'm off for a week. Computer is going off. Phone is going off. I will be unreachable! Hurray and Hurrah!

Finishing up a few things today, burning off Slán for duplication, sending out a few last email and working on finishing the first draft of Night (only took a year). Emails concern 140 and I'm happy to say the majority of them seem to have worked this time, so we can mark a few of the MIA filmmakers off the list. The plan is to start the edit on the 31st - a full month behind when I had hoped to start, tut-tut.

I hope once I get cutting and find a rhythm it will move along quickly. Music is the main thought on my mind right now and the sourcing there of. I'll probably do a lot of temp myself, maybe if some stuff works it can stay, but I have a couple of possibilities for some original and exceptional indy artists who could bring a lot to the project. Will keep you posted.

I'm psyched about finishing Night tonight -that's if we do! I hope we do! May not, still have a new scene to create from scratch and some character development to do. It will be close. I would hate to leave it for a week so close to the end, but Thomas is forever dropping off the map, so I thought I deserved a break for once! Haven't had one for a while. My back, and brain, need it!

So fare-thee-well for a week or so. Live, love and grow. Take pride. Take care. Look left and right when crossing. Sing load. Sing proud. Sleep well. Sweet dreams. Stay safe. Stay calm. Breathe. Look. Taste. Touch. Make love. Make bread. Call a friend. Have a beer. Watch a movie... make it a good one. And until we meet again... au revoir my friends.

Friday, August 21, 2009

New Song "Rest"


Here's a song I wrote for Slán agus Beannacht. Enjoy.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

That's a Lock

I'm happy to announce that my third short film Slán agus Beannacht is locked.

I finished the music in the couple of hours I had free while waiting for the Nationwide crew to arrive last Friday. As you may have guessed from the previous entry, below, I was feeling somewhat dejected about the music. Nothing was gelling. Nothing was right.

But then I played something very simple and familiar to me, some chords I've been messing around with in one form or another for years. I recorded them and listened back. While listening, I sang the lyrics from the previous song in my head - they didn't quite fit - but I found that if I cut the sentences in half - without losing the meaning - they fit perfectly.

So I recorded the new chords, with some complementary chords and picking laid on top and some synth strings over that and then sang the new lyric atop that and from all that came a very sweet, honest and fitting song for the end of the film.

I dropped it in and by some uncanny coincidence it fit perfectly, I mean time-wise. I didn't time it out at all. I figured I might have to fade out at the end, but I didn't - the final note was struck on the final fade out - spot on. It was meant to be and so it stayed and that was it. Done.

Something of a coincidence too that the Nationwide crew showed up an hour later to conduct the first interview for the project! Nice bit of promotion to begin with. Plenty more to come. Now begins the festival run, and I do mean to push this one out into the world. Hopefully it will find a home, as the last two have done. But first the premiere, a local screening and something of a party I think!

Happy days indeed.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Music Box!



Busy day today, this morning began with a trip to the music store to buy a mic jack for my computer. My dad and I took the opportunity to jam a bit on the Lowdins and Martins - nice!
Then home to begin recording the music for Slán agus Beannacht, the final step in getting the film completed.

A disaster!

It started with a slapstick scenario the likes of which Laurel and Hardy would have been proud - tangled leads, mic stands knocking over stacks of books, tripping over a stool, getting tangle in headphones... after the slapstick came the technical - the computer would not pick up the mic, no matter what I tried. After 45 minutes I finally got it working - only to find it was recording at a very low volume. I adjusted all the levels, but it was no good. Anyway, decided to record - wasn't happening! Too low with a really bad hiss. So I gave up. Will try again tomorrow.

The afternoon and evening went much better!

My friend Mark called in to have a look and the grade and sound mix on Slán (he had seen the previous version) and agreed it was much better (thanks again to Rob Mullen and Mairtin De Barra for the sound links). So I was happy about that. Once the music is done I'll lock it and start organising the premiere and the getting of it out into the world.

This evening was a screening of Bill, For Short in Boyne Books. It went really well, a small crowd of about 20 people turned up, it was a small enough room and they filled it up nicely, kept it intimate. We watched the film, the behind the scenes and a poem and visual piece Marc put together, inspired by the film, which was really nicely put together. The film got a good reaction. It still amazes me how, for such a cheap and quickly made film, it connects with and moves people.

Marc is now talking about putting together a short film night with films from the area, which would be great. So hopefully there'll be more news on that soon.

Got a couple of 140 clips in today too, which was nice, so they're still coming in thankfully! Hopefully I can start thinking about the edit soon. I'm aiming to screen at Hatch Fest in October, so hopefully the late clips wont cause us to miss that opportunity! Keep 'em comin' guys, keep 'em comin'!

That's all for now, more news soon.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009


Today was spent grading Slán agus Beannacht! At last, didn't take as long as I though once I got stuck in. So that's finished now. All I need are some sound effects to fill it out in place and the music, which I will most likely compose and record myself... it's cost effective!!!

Evening writing sessions on Night from here on in, just like the old days. When Thomas and I would write while he was working he would call in on the way home, usually around 8pm and we would write until 10 - 11. It was great, I am definitely a night writer. I tend to slip into the Vampire hours, which I enjoy. Those days will probably be gone soon!

So he's due in soon and we're going to write till mid-night, 20 pages or so to go. Looking forward to it.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Looking back.


I worked in this factory when I was a kid, 10 or 11, over 20 years ago (getting old!) my Uncle owned an Aluminum fabrication company. My Dad worked there and I spent a summer as a helper. Third floor, the windows to the left of the long central arched window.

It was fun. I remember the wide open factory floor with just four or five workers at separate benches at different jobs. The big windows with the light streaming in and the view out to the river.

It's closed now and falling down. Apartments had been planned before the recession hit, but that never moved forward. Now it stands crumbling and fenced off. Another childhood memory surrounded by corrugated Iron fences - still, hasn't stopped me finding a way in. I believe I have that right. It holds some of my memories, part of my history, after all.

Saturday, August 01, 2009

August Begins

The Nationwide spot was great, lots of positive reaction and I thought they did a good job. If you missed it you can catch on the RTE Player, I'm at 16'36" if you want to skip the first two reports (which are also interesting, about craft Galleries around Ireland).

As mentioned below the film and exhibition that feature in the piece is now available to view in Boyne Books, Callan Art, Narrow West Street, Drogheda. I hung the pictures yesterday and they'll be there until the end of the month.

--

In other news, Thomas and I unfortunately did not get to finish Night yesterday, we got close and there's not much left, but as with our schedule it might be some time before we get back to it now. We created a lot of news scenes from the original draft. I think we've really created two strong lead characters, which we didn't have before. It was rather mechanical, just bare bones. We've added the meat over the last two weeks.

We have two new scenes to add, which we've talked about and are really cool, one in particular, it's old school! It's really added something to the flavour of the entire piece and captured what we're trying to do with it. So can't wait to get in and write that.

I shouldn't take more then a week to finish it, when we can get to it that is! Then the wives get to read it - tell us if we've had our heads up our arses for a year! If they don't and think it's good, then we'll organise a reading where we'll get it out of our heads for the first time in that year and really see what work and what doesn't. And then it's out into the big bad word to try and get it made.

--

News on other projects:

Angelina:

Shelved. As I missed the application, which it was written specifically for, I'm not going to put any more energy into it. Although I love the idea and I'm happy with the script, for something that complicated and potentially expensive I'd rather put the energy into getting a feature film made. I was very sorry to lose that chance.

Bad Moon:

I watched The Mist last night and totally loved it, but it got me thinking about my monster script again! I do love monster movies! So may try to carve out some time to refine that script, I think there's a lot in there that works, but plenty that needs to be over hauled. After all, it's been 4 years since I wrote it.

Ghoster:

Not forgotten. It's always on my mind. I still haven't got back to it yet, which is a good thing in a way, means there's been plenty else going on, but it is a script I would like to finished and see if there's a home for it. It's a film about painters working on a site and it was written in the middle of the boom, so I may need to rethink certain aspects of it.

Slán agus Beannacht:

Being coloured and wont be to far away, so you'll be hearing plenty more about that soon as I begin to promote it.

140:

Still a few to get, it's reached the cut off deadline Aug 1st! But I still have 40 clips to get back, so I may have to delay the edit unfortunately! I've done all I can to remind people, I'm just hoping the remaining filmmakers will send their clips out soon! - Please please send me you clips guys! I need them to complete the film!

I hope I get them all soon, as mention I have a baby on the way and if the edit runs into the birth 140 will be delayed inevitably - and I don't want that to happen. I would like to have it finished before the birth.

I don't want to begin cutting until I have all the clips I'm going to get because as you may or may not know there is a rhythm to editing, every image will lead onto the next and to the next and so on. As I cut there will be a flow, a rhythm, just like in a song and I wont be able to just drop a scene in, like drop a new chord in the middle of an already well constructed song, it would completely mess up the melody, you would have a bug 'Clunk' in the middle of the song that would pull you out of it! Tacking late clips on at the end wont work either, otherwise the ending wont make any sense. It all needs to be cut as one, at least, it does for me. So hopefully I can do that soon.

--

That's me. Lots on, lots to do, hopefully I can continue to work on all these projects and bring a one or two to fruition. I will of course keep you all posted!

I'll leave you with this, a friend of mine, director Mark Lebenon, recently visited the wonderful and completely mad Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal Canada with his film Slam Bang, here's an interview he did during his time there. Enjoy!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Tonight's the Night


Tonight at 7pm on RTE 1 will be the Nationwide show featuring the special on my film Bill, For Short. It was shot some time ago, March I think, and I had half lost hope it would every be broadcast, but as it happens the timing could not be more perfect.

From August 1st Bill, For Short and the accompanying exhibition 'Old Shoes and Broken Walls' will be available to view at Boyne Books in Callan Art on Narrow West St. in Drogheda. Thanks to Mark Kearns, the owner of the book store, for the interest in the work and for finding the space to show it. For any twitter user you can follow Mark @boynebukes. The exhibition will hang for the entire month.

Special thanks too to Joan O'Sullivan, the producer who picked up on the story and came down to do the piece. And indeed the Droichead Art Centre for finding my the space in the first place which lead to exhibition and the Drogheda Borough Council for funding half the budget.

If I can figure it out I'll post the segment here at a later date, for anyone who can't manage to see it it will be available from next week on the RTE player.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

July Images

I thought I might post some photography here occasionally too. I have my photography blog, but I don't think many people get over that way and I forget to update it. So enjoy.


140 Concerns

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to address some concerns a couple of people have had with regard to the list not filling up as quickly as expected. It's now been over a month since we shot our footage and yes, I'm still waiting for a substantial chunk of clips!

But don't worry! Head on over the 140 FAQ page, the names now in BLUE have confirmed that their clips are on the way. Those still in black have not got back to me yet, but I'm sure they will and I will continue to send out reminders to the turtles... as one filmmaker put it this week!

There is a chance I wont get all the clips in. It's possible some filmmakers may have forgotten, may not have followed me on twitter as outlined, may have missed the updates here and on the FAQ page, may not have joined my facebook group, may have slipped through the cracks on the mailing list, and missed out on all the press... there was only so much I could do to keep people informed! But hopefully there are not too many of those people!

If however any of the filmmakers on the list disappear from the face of the earth and prove impossible to get hold of, don't worry - you'll be glad to know I had back-ups in place. Filmmakers who were willing to film footage without guarantee of a place in the finished film. Thanks to them.

But if we still don't reach the 140 target, I'm not worried at all. It was part of the risk, it's life! Some people have expressed concern of the film being a failure if that happens. I don't think that's true at all. I think the film is already a success. The fact that we got together at all, with the belief you had in this project, and filmed simultaneously across the world, is what the film was about for me. It's getting back to what connects to our homes and really thinking about it, being a part of it, and making an effort to show the rest of the world that makes this a success. The film will be a testament to that, and not just a semantical thing of numbers and times.

Let me allay your fears further by telling you the 80+ clips I have in so far are great and there's a film there already. There are more clips winging there way here as I type. I have not given up hope that all of the 140 will arrive. As with everything in life unexpected things crop up and plans get pushed aside. I know many of the filmmakers were working on other projects that were more pressing then getting their footage uploaded and sent, which is fine, I know I'll get the footage when it's possible for them to get it here.

So don't worry. 140 is still on track and it's looking good.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

You might say I've a busy August ahead...

And that's only half...

Clips for 140 are still coming in at a steady rate, still a few to get, but all looking good so far. Check the list on the FAQ page, those in red have delivered their clips. I'm also doing an interview for the bubble soon about 140 which should be up on their website soon, will post a link.

I finally got a broadcast date for the RTE Nationwide show broadcast that features me, my Mam and my Borther in a special about my short documentary Bill, For Short (much documented in previous blogs here). It's going out on RTE at 7pm on Friday August 31st. For those who miss it you should be able to catch it on the RTE Player. Should be interesting! We had a fun day shooting it - even though my family almost killed me for getting them involve!

Work is progressing really well on Night, 31 pages into the new draft and it's really coming together. I'm excited to get it finished and get it out there.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Reassessing Realigning

Another busy week. Not much to do with film however, mostly sorting out my life and finances. This recession has hit everyone hard, so I'm not going to go on about my wows here, it's not the place. Meet down the pub for a few pints and I'll happily tell you all!!!

As you know I had just finished writing a short script called Angelina for the Irish Film Board's Signatures short film fund, for a production package of up to €90,000 - not too shabby. Unfortunately it didn't pan out and we missed the deadline. It was for the best, I think an application at this stage, with what we had, may have hurt us rather then been of any benefit.

Admittedly I was disappointed and frustrated, having written the script specifically for the application and then lost out on my chance for this years round. But having had the weekend to rest on it I figured it's for the best. The script needs more work, the film needs a lot of thought and design and if the recent cuts suggested by an Bord Snip go ahead, there may not even be a film board by next year!

Hurray for the Irish government, "we're low on cash, lets cut the arts, not just down - but out completely! And jobs and education and healthcare and anything worthwhile so we'll have a nation of unemployed, unhealthy idiots without care, inspiration, entertainment and reason or ability to acquire any of it."

The bow of the ship has just hit an iceberg and we're sinking, the people are running for the life-boats, those who can't reach them are drowning, meantime - the politicians admire the view from the stern, oblivious.

Anyway...

It gives me some much needed time to concentrate on the projects at hand: Slán agus Beannacht, which I will now finish, starting tomorrow. 140 of course and the finishing of the script Night, which starts in the morning. And after those I can see where I stand. But I'm not taking on anything new until they're done.

I sent out a batch of emails today to those who haven't sent in their clips for 140 yet, thanks to everyone who emailed me back today, I look forward to seeing your clips. I understand lives and jobs have been a distraction, as lives and jobs often are, but hopefully remaining can find the time to email me or drop their disc in the mailbox!

So far the standard has been really high, and even though almost every package has come with an apology and excuses as to why it didn't quite turn out they way they wanted, I haven't noticed anything bad, they're great, and when you see 70 clips one after the other in context of the film and as diverse as the all are, you'd be like me and not have any doubts! It's going to be a great project and I think it would be a shame for anyone to miss out. It's gonna come together, and it's gonna be good. So stop doubting and get sending :)

Monday, July 13, 2009

More Arrivals and a Busy Week Ahead!

video
Another Monday delivery, you can't tell from this clip but I was suffering from a slight bout of food poisoning today, feeling very ill most of the day. Had to walk out on my dentist appointment this morning... but that's neither here nor there! Having four new packages arrive this morning cheered me up no end! Thanks Ariane, Andrew, Michael and Natasha! Awesome! I will red you on the faq page once this video uploads!

An interesting week ahead, I have an interview on Wednesday for a new documentary about the Irish film industry, which I don't think I'm allowed mention too much about, so I'll just say that... God knows why they want to talk to me?! May everyone else wanted paying?! - I'm just happy to get on the telly!

I have also started recording podcasts for The Bubble, which is cool. Nothing up yet, but they've asked me to do a weekly update about 140, a kind of 'Making of', so that's really cool! Fills the void left by the absence of the Pale Stone Podcast, which I lost out on when my provider went out of business! Hopefully I'll be able to resurrect it someday!

I also got a provisional date for the Bill, For Short Nationwide broadcast on RTE, which is exciting, but I wont tell you until they confirm, but it's not far off! I'm very excited... I wonder which way is Michael Ryan going to look when my piece is over, from the left or from the right... I'm taking bets now! - I'm going left, his left!

While I mention Bill and the Nationwide thing, I should also mention that part of the Old Shoes and Broken Walls collection is currently hanging and for sale at Boyne Books, in Callan Art on Narrow West St. in Drogheda. Mark, the owner, is also planning a full exhibition, with a re-screening of Bill, For Short - for anyone who missed it the first time round, in August. I will post dates here.

I finally sent off the first three chapters of The Cats of the Crescent. I'm happy with them, so hopefully they'll spark some interest. But I'm not too worried if they don't yet, there's plenty of publishers out there - and besides, I still need to finish the book!

Work on Angelina progresses, the signatures deadline is this Friday, which came as something of shock to me last week when I heard. For some reason I got it into my head that in was the 27th! I don't know why. So now I'm scrambling to get synopses, treatments, directors notes and what have you organised for Friday... talk about cutting it close, I have a gift for doing important things at the last minute!

Anyway, best be off. Much to do.

Keep those 140 clips coming guys! Can't start the edit until I get them all... Actually, take as long as you want! ;) No, not really - send send send!!!

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Concept Art for Angelina

Here's a piece I did today. I think it captures something of the spirit of the script. Love the Winged Victory of Samonthrace, picture I took in the Louvre.

Monday, July 06, 2009

Behind Sao Paulo with Sarah Mund.

Evenin all. As you saw in the clip below (and if you didn't, have a look now! It's amazing!) I got a bunch of clips in this morning. Thanks All!!! Among them was the clip from Sarah Mund, one of the filmmakers from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and on her disc was a very cool 'Making Of.' I thought it was fun, and as it doesn't give away anything of what she filmed, I thought I'd post it here to share with you. Thanks Sarah. Enjoy!
video

Morning all - Video

video

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Burning the midnight oil

Here's me script editing late on Saturday night. At 3am on Saturday morning I closed the file on Angelina, my new short script, thinking it was perfect... until the next night when I sat down to fix some typos and eventually got up from the computer at 4am with a new draft!

I'm starting to feel my age, or maybe just how unfit I am! I used to do that all the time, blasting out feature scripts in a week of all-nighters! Two late nights and I'm aching, cricks in my neck, sore back, cramping hands!!! Not good!

But it was worth it. I think this draft is much better. It allows certain aspects of the story to breathe, that seem rushed before. It still needs work, but I'm happy, the story is there and seems to work.

But what do I know, I'm just the writer. It's up the folks with the cash to decide if it gets made, and without cash, this will never see the light of day - it's not a low budget, shoot for free with mates, film.

140 is progressing well, 44 clips in at this stage, and the standard is still high. I need to start emailing filmmakers who haven't sent out their footage, light a fire under their butts! Times a waistin!

There's still time though. Not at panic stations yet! I don't plan to start cutting until August, but I need time with the footage to let it settle in my brain, start thinking about it and then making decisions of what direction to take. Although I imagine this cut will be quite intuitive, allow the footage to tell me what direction to go in. But I need all the footage to be able to do that... so come on guys, lets get that footage in the post!

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Karl Malden Dies age 97

One of the all time great supporting actors Karl Malden died today aged 97.

My wife, Maryann, was lucky enough to have interviewed him a couple of years ago, she remembers how much of a gentleman he was.

Monday, June 29, 2009

A Couple of Days Off

I had a much needed break the last few days. After the mammoth task of organising 140, sending out emails and notices and replying to as many questions as quickly as possible I found I was often chained to my computer hours on end and well into the night! The ol' back suffered! A new chair is most definitely needed for the edit!!!

This mornings deliveries, now the postman is starting to get unhappy!

So, once Sunday was over with I decided to take it easy while waiting for the clips to come in, and catch up on some much needed physical labour! I'd been promising my wife I'd finish a paint job I started a year ago on the hall, stairs and landing! So that was my week. It was fine though, took my mind off things, one can get a bit overwhelmed with the internet! It's nice to get away from it (he says as he writes a new blog!)

Happy wife with newly decorated Hall and baby in belly!

140

At the moment I have 27 clips in. They look great. I'm really happy with the standard. There are a few themes emerging already, which I thought might happen. It's great, already gives me options for the cut. But I wont make any decisions yet, I still have over 100 clips to come in after all!

Slán

I'm hoping work can begin again on Slán agus Beannacht (Goodbye and Blessings), which was sadly abandoned when 140 picked up. But I started the grade and was happy with the look of it, so I'm looking forward to getting back to work soon. Some sound effects, a bit of music and I'm done. Hopefully I can release it in the next month or two and hit the festivals.

Angelina

I'm trying to get to my new script too, Angelina, which was also delayed, but I'll be able to start it again this week and I'm confident, finish it this week and get off to a waiting producer! (It's coming Dave, I promise!!!) I love the story, it's quirky, romantic and fun.

Set in Paris, it's about a young couple trying to save their relationship without much success, until something magical happens. It's an idea I came up with in Paris while on my honeymoon. My wife said "No business! No Blackberry! No scripts!!!" - fair enough I thought, it'll be nice to have a break. Day two, we're in a restaurant and this idea walks fully-formed into my brain, it took every ounce of will power I could muster not to ask the waiter for a pen and start writing on napkins!

Night

Tomorrow I'm meeting Thomas again, we've managed to carve out some time to work on Night, which has been great. it's going really well. We've addressed alot of issues from the first draft and injected some soul into the piece. Hopefully we can get some important work done in the next two days. Then we have another break and hopefully after that we can get back to it and finish it. There are plenty of people waiting to see it.

I really like this one. I think it's probably the best thing I've ever written - that might not be saying much though! ;) But writing this I felt like everything I've learned about screenwriting over the years has finally come into play, I was able to draw on a store of skills and experience. It's a solid piece. It's the kind of film I'd be excited to see in theaters, and probably buy on DVD as soon as it came out... before waiting for the sales! - Provided there were plenty of extras of course!!! Better have a word with the director.

Taking stock

At the half way mark of 2009 I can look back and say it's been a great year so far, kicking off with a reading of my feature script Ghoster, the premiere of Bill, For Short coupled with my first photographic exhibition Old Shoes and Broken Walls, which was picked up by RTEs Nationwide (yet to be aired.) Then the idea for 140 came along, but before any of that happened I had the shoot for Slán agus Beannacht, which was great. Then came 140, we all know what happened there! And somehow, amid all of that I've managed to write a lot, Angelina, Night and Adam with Caroline Farrell... though you would guess it from all the blogging, emailing and twittering I've been doing - but it's like that old saying - "You want something done, ask a busy man."

For the rest of the year I'm looking forward to finishing Slán agus Beannacht and getting it out there, editing 140, shooting Adam and finishing scripts Night and Angelina - oh yeah, and becoming a father! Small detail! So it should be a busy time ahead. Better get on with it then...

Friday, June 26, 2009

Clips still coming in


There's been a steady flow of clips this week, not enough to make the post man mad yet, but enough to keep me smiling each morning! 20 clips so far. To see who has been quick on the draw go to the FAQ page and check the list of names, those in red have been received. Thanks guys.

And as for the rest of you, get a move on... I'm just kidding!!! ;) I'm looking forward to getting your clips in due course. When I have all 140 the edit can begin. So the sooner the better!

Many people have emailed their clips, which is acceptable, there are many ways of doing this, one option is via email - check www.yousendit.com. Snail-mail is still good!

Still really happy with the standard, and there's loads to work with. Interesting to see certain themes coming through already... but I'm not telling what! You'll just have to wait and see!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hold your footage till release!

Hi all,

I had a couple of questions with regard releasing your clips before the film is finished, ie. posting your clip on a website, or you tube.

I think it would be better for the film if everyone held back. I know it's tempting, and it's exciting to be part of something like this, so you may be eager to share it, which is cool, but I would simply ask you not to broadcast it or release it online.

I would like to build the anticipation for the release of the film and not give anything away, also to allow it be a surprise for everyone who took part, to see all the other clips for the first time upon release and to see their own side by side with everyone else, in context with the over all theme of the film I will strive to build in the edit, with the final mix, grade and score.

You should also know that film festivals will not accept films that have been previously released on the internet, so I don't want to risk our chances of touring festivals, which will probably largely be where the film will be seen.

I hope you all understand. I should have pointed this out prior to this! My bad! But I hope you can all bear with me now and hold your excitement for the final film!

Many thanks guys! I promise it wont be too long to wait - and then we can go mad!

Mission Accomplished!!!

Well, everything seemed to go off without a hitch. 5 months of planning, thousands of emails and even more tweets and we arrived at the crucible. 
I was standing on a river bank, miles from anywhere, along a worn trail on the edge of a forrest, a place my Dad likes to take his dog for a walk, and place that has meaning and significance in both our lives. There with him, my wife and our dogs. It was quiet, peaceful and thrilling!

Knowing the 139 eager and anxious filmmakers were waiting for my call, I held my mobile phone in my hand and typed the word 'ACTION', then clicked send and off it went - into the world, to 5 different continents, 28 different countries, 100 cities, 139 filmmakers. With it followed a flurry of action. Camera's started rolling, adrenaline started rushing, and for 2 minutes 20 seconds, or should I say - 140 seconds, we all joined connected in a film experiment unlike any other before attempted. 

Before I knew it the time was up, that was it, it was done, mission accomplished, well - almost, I still have to get all the clips in and edit it. But I think we achieved what it was we set out to do in those 140 seconds. 

All across the world we visualized and planned and synchronized for something we believed in and felt inspired by. Using this tool, the internet, and a social media phenomenon that has been much criticized, a new concept was created and the citizen of that global digital village created something very real, tangible and worthy. 

I was thrilled by the whole thing, and felt a great sense of connection, pride, achievement and honour on Sunday night. Walking back toward the car, along the path by the river, I thought to myself about the all the other filmmakers around the world opening the minds, hearts, homes and ideas to this project and I was simply blown away by it. Knowing that people had committed so much time, effort and energy to this idea.

Now comes the tricky part, organising, email, twittering, filming, all that was easy (not really) but now I have to edit everything. I'm still not sure how I'm going to do it or what the end product will be. I guess I wont have any real ideas until I get all the footage in. So far though it's been great, I'm really happy with it and if this standard keeps up then I know it's going to be good.

The filmmakers to have sent footage so far are: Iulia Regina, Ryan Little, Damien Donnelly, Steve Gatlin, Chris Ford, John Lawlor, Paddy O'Shea, Robert Zappia, Mairtin DeBarra, Caterina Monzani, Noel Farrell and - Oh yeah, me!

So thanks to them. And I look forward to seeing everyone elses! 

Then we'll see what we have?!?!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

An Open Letter of Thanks!

Hey Everybody!

Apologies for the slight delay with this. As you can imagine, I've been inundated with emails, congrats, press and clips - it's been whirlwind since Sunday. I was actually convinced today was Monday! But it's not, it's Tuesday, and my thanks come late... However, more heartfelt they could not be.

I think we've all done something pretty unique and special here. I know I felt it on Sunday when I sent the word "ACTION" via twitter on my mobile (cell), while standing on the bank of a river miles from anywhere! I was with my Dad and my wife, and our dogs, it was a beautiful and warm summers evening, quiet and still, and we were all alone out there, but I felt completely connect to all of you. I could feel the frantic rush of adrenaline as you all fired up your cameras and started shooting. Although it was quiet, and personal, as I'm sure it was for many of you, it was exciting and thrilling too.

I felt a huge sense of satisfaction and indeed achievement when I was finished filming! As I'm sure many of you did too. Almost immediately the messages started coming in,"Woohoo" "That was good" "Congratulations" "We did it" "That was exciting" from all of you! I was full to brim with joy!

Iulia Rugina from Romania gets the prize for being first in with her clip (I don't know what the prize is!) - it came in within hours! And I knew with in seconds of watching it, this was going to be a great film! Her footage was beautiful, honest, funny and heartfelt. It truly was what connected her to her home.

Then more footage started coming in and the family connection really started to come through, something I looked at too. I can honestly say I'm thrilled with what I've been getting. People really have opened up their lives and their hearts to this project and I'm completely blown away by it!

I want to thank you first of all for coming on board, for giving you time, energy, thought and talent to this. I want to thank you for your honesty and integrity, for you passion and love for what you do. I want to thank you for believing in this project and most of all, I want to thank you for trusting me, and for what I'm sure will be more, incredible footage. I promise to give you the best film I can, something we can all be proud of and share, us 140, forever.

Thank you.

Kindest, warmest and indeed, most supreme regards
Frank Kelly

your very humbled producer.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Magic Number

139. Jos Meijers - Rotterdam - Netherlands

140. Mark Thimijan – Nebraska - USA

That's right, 4 days to go and 140 filmmakers reached. When I set the date at June 21st I had some doubts, I thought I might have to push the date back, but no, we did it. 140 filmmakers worldwide have signed up to a shared vision to film 140 seconds of what connects them to their home, to this planet. I don't mind telling you I feel a little emotional! :'[ 

I'm so excited by what we're all about to do. From an idea I had during a sleepless night to a global project involving so much incredible talent from people I admire and respect hugely. From old friends to new friends, people I've never met before to talent I've admired from afar. It's hard to believe it has reached this point, with all of you involved. 

I know the work you will all do on Sunday will be inspired and I can't wait to see it. I can't wait to start putting it together and give you guys the best film I can cut, something we can all be proud to be a part of. I know it's going to be easy once I see your footage! 

Here's to Sunday guys! And Thanks to you all for believing in this.

Best

Frank

Saturday, June 13, 2009

New 140 Logo Design.

Designed by yours truly.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Who's up for some stylishly marketing?!

Some new filmmakers for 140:

135. Jong Park – Seoul – Korea

136. Ricardo Nobuo Shima – Hawaii – USA

137. Manuel Monteiro Grillo – Lisbon - Portugal

138. Alvaro Ron – LA - USA

Of course you see what that means?! 2 filmmakers to go!!! So looks like we're on target for the 21st! I never had a doubt!!! Secret to any film - Momentum! Set a date, strap yourself to the bolder and start rolling.

Here's a recent interview I did with Johnny Blank for his blog. Enjoyed it. It's honest and generally misspelt! Hope you enjoy reading it nonetheless!

Light T-Shirt

Also, I've set up a shop to help support the 140 project, I like giving people something for their donnations. So in return for a few bucks you can help stylishly market my film by the wearing one of these wonderful products!

Thanks!

Work progresses on Slán agus Beannacht. I started the grade yesterday and it's going well, I'm happy with how it looks. Spoke to Paschal this morning and he's eager to see it, so I'm eager to get it done to show him! I also want to organise a screening here in town, so more on that as it happens.

Thomas and I have started work again on Night. The excitement for this project has been reignited. The changes we've made have made the piece much stronger. So I'm looking forward to finishing it and seeing if we can get some one on board to help us make it. It's going to be an exciting, gruesome, thrilling and stylish piece, no question about it. I hope we get to make it. This is the kind of film I want to see on a Friday night, and I have a feeling a lot of other people would too.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Newest 140 Filmmakers

Below are the most recent filmmakers to the 140 project. That's right 134 filmmakers, so only 6 places left. I'm still holding out for more Asian, African and European filmmakers... the USA is well covered, as is Ireland, the UK and Australia, with a peppering in South America and Canada. 

I'll hold out until the end of this week then I'll have to close the doors, just to give the final members time to get organised. 

I'm really excited about this and I can't wait to see what everyone does. It's hard to believe that we're almost at 140. Thanks so much to everyone so far for coming on board an believing the project. I know it's going to be something special... and I have a feeling this will just be the start of things.

121. John Lawlor - ? – Slovenia

122. Daniel Pellegrini – Lisbon – Portugal

123. Alex Anunciato – Rio De Janeiro – Brazil

124. Yarrow Kraner – Bozeman – Montana – USA

125. Charis Tobias – Yosemite – USA

126. Simone Fried – Toronto - Canada

127. Jan Borst - ? - Germany

128. Emilio Dante – Paris - France

129. Mark & Johanna – Cebu – Philippines

130. Kathi Carey – Hollywood – California – USA

131. Yazmin Ortiz – San Juan – Puerto Rico

132. Denis Rodríguez – Santiago - Chile

134. Paul Gitschner – Kitchener – Ontario - Canada


Also, Metro Newspaper recently ran an article on the project, for anyone who didn't catch it, you check out the digital version.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Give Me Direction - The Run Down


An interesting day all round yesterday. I can’t say there were any earth-shattering revelations, it was more of a refresher, but it was good to meet people again and anew – Jason and Cian among them!

(First off, apologies if I jump back and forth, I’m working of brief notes I took and memory!)

The morning kicked off with an intro by film board CEO Simon Perry and a lead into a discussion about Main Stream Vs. Art House, the difference between them and if there was a medium between the two – No being the eventual answer! They are separate and should exist separately, but I think we knew that! The feed off of each other and the difference and conflict is needed for both to survive.


On the panel was Eran Kolirin, Israeli director of The Band’s Visit, who was funny and charming and had some interesting observations. Mark O’Rowe, writer of Intermission, who’s answers seemed to meander and were often contradictory – so a typical writer then! Damien O’Donnell, 35 Aside and East is East, who had a much more solid and direct opinion of the industry and his place in it. And last, but by no means least, John Moore, Dundalk man and director of Behind Enemy Lines, Omen remake and Max Payne – in his own words “The token sell-out” of the panel. He was funny, irreverent and refreshingly honest.


During the conversation O’Donnell mentioned Surprise that scripts need to surprise the reader. It’s something that’s easy to forget and it ties into something what Tanya Seghatchian (producer) said later on about being attracted to scripts. It is often stated that you need to grab you reader in the first 10 pages. She points out that as a producer you are only required to read the first 10 pages as a formality, she looks for scripts that grab her on page 1. I found that interesting, I hadn’t really thought of that before, I often have something happening on page 3, but to pull the audience in from the beginning makes sense. She’s the producer of the first 4 Harry Potter films and the Head of the UK Film Council by the way.


The discussion turned to Authorship of a film and Genre. Is the credit ‘A Film by’ a valid one, most people thought not, that if it was a necessary credit that it only be given to writer/directors. Interesting that John Moore was against the credit at all and has fought against having the credit on his films, especially on The Omen, which was a remake. But it seems the DGA requires it. It also came to light that this title is not really about authorship and shouldn’t really be regarded as such, but is simply a marketing ploy. A Film by Martin Scorsese will sell a film to a certain audience etc.

On genre Damien O'Donnell called genre a lazy way of pigeon-holing a film, which I don’t agree with, nor did John Moore, it sparked a heated cross fire between the two, which was fun! And again the idea of genre begin a shorthand marketing tool came up, fair enough, we want our films to be seen, why not give them a shorthand so they know what they’re paying into. Many of the filmmakers on the panel seemed to reject genre, except Moore, I don’t know why? Cinema has a language, genre is part of it, why try to reject it?

They also brought up the question of why they make films, as you would expect the general answer was, to be seen. O’Rowe was honest here in saying it was to be liked, to have people appreciate and enjoy the work and to find personal validation. Which I agree with, when it comes down to it you want to be in a darkened theatre with people watching your work and see then enjoy it and know that it was you that did that. It’s a satisfying feeling.

They talked about getting films off the ground, I suppose it as equally encouraging as it is disheartening that they seem to find it as difficult as we do (they being successful feature filmmakers, we being beginners.) Kolirin talked about how when trying to get the film made he came up against so many people who said it was not commercial and would never make any money. After it was a huge success, sold internationally and was nominated for an Oscar all of those people suddenly talked about how they always knew it would do well and they always believed in it.

My general feeling from the talk was that the business is a strange, paranoid, fickle thing, where in, no one knows the recipe for success and they are desperately seeking it. I had this image of headless chickens running around bumping into each other looking for their heads. No one knows why a film works or doesn’t. The general feeling was that you make a film because you want to tell a story and you try to make from as honest a place as possible… except for John Moore, he openly admitted he does it for the money! But he also talked about delivering excitement, which he feels is underrated and as valuable as moving someone to tears.

Interestingly he talked about how this is a good time to be sending work to Hollywood. They are hungry for new, fresh work. They seem to realise that they have blown up one to many things and now know that people want more. He also mentioned that it’s a good time for more down beat films, no more happy endings “If you have a script with a suicide at the end, get it out of the drawer!”


Next up was Charlotte Kelly, agent for Casarotto Ramsay (One of the top agencies in the UK) she represents many Irish talent, Ken Wadrop, Simon Fitzmorris, Tom Collins and more and is one of the few talent agents in Ireland (which was why she was surrounded by about 20 people at the end of the talk). Tanya Seghatchian, producer of the first 4 Harry Potters and the head of the UK film council. Kirsten Sheridan, who we all know and Tony Merchant, one of the Uks most success and prolific TV writers, The Whistleblowers, Mark of Cain, Crime and Punishment and more.

This was for me the most interesting talk of the day, especially with the advice given by Tanya Seghatchian, mentioned above. It was also interesting to see what attracts all these people to projects and to working with people, especially Tanya as a former producer for BBC drama and now the UK film council, and it is as basic as being passionate about a project and falling in love with it. Tony Marchant gave an interesting analogy about writing a script, which I think is true for how a producer approaches a script, that is - when you start a script it’s like going on a first date with someone who is going to become a long-term lover.

For us writers that’s certainly true. On the first draft you get that rush of excitement, flurry of passion, you’re unable to sleep and wait until you can get back to it. Then you settle down, being to work at it, become more familiar with the story, the characters, the flaws. There are periods where you wonder why you even started the damn thing and when something works you fall in love all over again.

It’s the same for producers and indeed agents, as Charlotte Kelly mentioned, the reason she takes on a client is being she falls in love with their work. She knows she must become passionate about it if she is to represent that passion when try to sell it.

Advice given for writers and finding a producer or an agent was to write, write, write and make sure your script is as good as you can get it before sending it out. Push the story, the characters and the drama and make sure it’s the best it can be.

Connor McPherson, when asked later about being a writer and self collaborator as writer/director and when he knows something is ready, said that time is a great way to find out, walk away from your script for a while. Mistakes you didn’t see when writing the first draft will become glaringly obvious two weeks down the road.

Interestingly Tanya answered a question from the audience about film funding in Ireland from the UK film council and seemingly it is possible, cool! It has to do with personell and money, but a film written and directed by an Irish filmmaker could be shot here with UK money and a UK crew. The question was also about making an international story, not indigenous. Something like Slumdog Millionaire, an India tale by British filmmakers. So something worth thinking of.

Unprovoked angry soapboxing was the order of the day for David Kavanagh, whose crass outburst from the crowd, although a valid point, seemed to me to be out of context and out of place, in my opinion. He took every opportunity he could to unload his politics. Quote of the day from him: “If a producer fucks you, and you don’t want to be fucked, that’s rape isn’t it?” - followed by a stunned silence and an embarrassed panel of guests trying to find their way back to the topic at hand. The phrase Time and place is a phrase that springs to mind.

Although I am member of the writers guild and glad there are people as passionate as David to speak on my behalf, I’d rather he not do it at an event where I am seeking inspiration and indeed direction from people who’s work I admire - embarrassing them and making the entire audience feel uncomfortable.

I know Kirsten Sherdian felt the same as she then asked if they could end their session on something inspirational – quoting Stephen King’s analogy about writing begin akin to Archaeology rather the Architecture.


(Side note: if anyone hasn’t read Stephen Kings book “On Writing” I would highly recommend it, even if you’re not a King fan, and I haven’t read much of his work, it’s still a great great book.)

Tanya also talked about a script being both Deja vu and Jame vu, meaning: something you feel like you scene before, the setting is the same, the characters are the same, but it’s also something you’ve never seen before. Which I thought was interesting, and an interesting way to approach a script. I mean we all sit down to write a horror script, werewolves and vampires, or a family drama, brothers at war, a family torn apart… but what can we do to make it different, grab the audience from page one and make them feel that they have never heard this story told this way before.

After dinner was a rehearsed reading of Memorabilia by Kevin Barry, which although interesting, was not my cup-of-tea at all, and probably not a film I’ll be rushing to the IFI to see if it ever gets made. But from my own experience with readings I know it is a valuable exercise and I would recommend it to anyone to find out if their script is working or not. There’s nothing like hearing your script read out loud by actors to unlock the problems within.

Next was a conversation between Connor McPherson, I Went Down, The Actors, Roddy Doyle, you know him, and McPhersons producer Rob Walpole. McPherson passionately spoke about protecting the idea, keeping the original feeling and excitement alive through out the process and the importance of forming strong relationships. He also warned against the schmoozing love machine of Hollywood, and to be careful of succumbing to being pampered by them as they lube you up to be fucked!

I don’t know, maybe I was getting tired, but I didn’t take very much away from this conversation, sorry!


The last line up of the day was possibly the most impressive in terms of talent, Jim Sheridan In the Name of the Father, In America, Pat McCabe, The Butcher Boy, Paul Fraser, This is England, Roddy Doyle The Commitments and chaired by Lance Daly (Kisses) I found Lance’s questions to be a bit vague and not very inciting. The panel seemed to trail of into other points when trying to answer. Still, it was interesting to hear them speak.

The main theme seemed to be about finding a story and controlling it when trying to tell it. Paul Fraser, who honestly seemed tired, disinterested and like he wanted to be somewhere else struggled to answer questions and resorted to, what I’m sure were, much retold anecdotes of his career with Meadows, interesting nonetheless. He talked about their method and how they like to workshop their scripts until they’re ready and how they never stop changing, even during filming. You might wonder what then is the point of writing a script, but it was interesting to hear then that that was what happened with Once Upon a Time in the Midlands, that script was never really finished when it went into development.

I don’t remember much else of what was said. A lot of meandering points and retold anecdotes. To me their seemed to be no solid answers given because none of the filmmakers their really knew. Perhaps we can go back to that quote by William Goldman, “No one knows anything”, no matter how successful you become there is no real way to know how it happened, no clear answer and no secret. Or maybe there is a secret, and it’s this, you just have to work.

Keep writing, constantly perfecting scripts, pushing them out there, learning you craft. Stop worrying about what the other person is doing, what’s hot at the moment, what the film board are doing or not doing, whether there’s an Irish film industry or there isn’t and do it anyway, learn, write, work, make films.

As I mentioned above the day offered no great insight into writing or indeed the industry, but it was certainly food for thought. I’m not going to change the way I work or write. I will think more about getting page one right! I will put more thought into being fresh, original and surprising. And I will keep working and making films.

See full size image


The event was organised by Andrew Meehan and Sarah Dillon at theIrish Film Board.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Shane Fest - Cancelled.

Here's two people I don't like very much today:
Shane Meadows
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Interviews
Shane Black

Why? Because they cancelled Shane Fest!!! That's right, both pulled out of the Give Me Direction Seminar in Dublin this week! Meadows last week for no given reason and Black today (He was to talk tonight) apparently because his passport was out of date and he didn't notice until he got to the airport! Hmm? 

Both were the main reason I was going to the event, so needless to say I'm disappointed. 

The Film Board were nice about it, they gave me, and I'm sure everyone else, a phone call and apologised in person and they offered a refund for the Black talk and a full refund if people felt the need to pull out of the event entirely.

I didn't, I will go tomorrow. It's a full day and it has a pretty good line up as it is... who needs the stupid Shane's!!! 

Ah well, I'm it couldn't be helped, these things happen. Will have a report on the seminar next week. Happy weekend!