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Jessica Timlin, Prop Buyer - In Focus... How long Jessica Timlin, Prop Buyer - In Focus... How long have you worked in the industry? "Ten years" How did you get started? "By complete accident! I studied Printmaking in Limerick School of Art and Design, and really enjoyed the video element of the course. I specialised in Video Art which lead me to my first job as a Runner in a post production company when I graduated. At the time I thought I wanted to be an editor, but instead found I was best suited to the Art Department. Initially I began working freelance as an Art Department trainee but it wasn't long until switched  again to trainee Buyer for Set Dec and I've been happy in Set Dec ever since!" What is your favourite memory from working in the industry? "When you are a Buyer, there is a real thrill from finding the perfect prop or piece of furniture after a long and difficult search! Prop Buying in Ireland takes you all over the country meeting the most interesting people, from snail farmers to antique dealers to taxidermists. And not just in Ireland we often have to search abroad. Just before the pandemic I was lucky enough to buy in Marrakesh, Morocco, which is full of amazing artisans and talented tradesmen, so it really was a highlight for me. It is so important to see what you are buying in person to really understand what you are getting." Do you have any advice for people starting out? "Learn to drive and get a car, the bigger the boot the better, if you want to be a buyer! Work as a Trainee on bigger productions and be eager to learn and take advice. Never be afraid to admit you don't know something or to ask questions, it's the best way to learn!  Also get in love with researching. So much thought and consideration goes into every item that is placed on a set, and it all starts with research. " #filmcrew #behindthescenes #propbuyer #irishfilmcrew @bugsy_devine
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrd-6qqjoiGNV8I https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrd-6qqjoiGNV8IUmhiYMwK5WEcJrJe3QC #mindingcreativeminds #filmcrew #raisingfilms #mentalhealthawareness
https://www.screenireland.ie/funding/development-l https://www.screenireland.ie/funding/development-loans/national-talent-development-academy-for-crew/
Annie Atkins, Graphic Designer - In Focus... How Annie Atkins, Graphic Designer - In Focus... How long have you worked in the industry? "It will be fifteen years soon." How did you get started?" I was on a filmmaking degree at UCD when the visiting lecturer Tom Conroy came in to do a design module with us. I managed to get my portfolio under his nose and he invited me for an interview on The Tudors, the series he was designing at the time, when I graduated. Starting that show was a massive learning curve as I'd certainly never designed any stained glass or royal scrolls before." Do you have a favourite work moment? "Probably in my first weeks on The Tudors, having to teach the actor Henry Cavill how to write with a feather quill, when I'd never actually used one myself before. I winged it though, although it was terrifying. I'm much more confident these days after working on a bunch of different periods and genres. In film every new job can feel like being thrown in at the deep end, so my general attitude now is: "Well, I'll give it a go!"  Advice for anyone starting out ? "The world of filmmaking can feel like a closed door – like, you really need to know somebody who knows somebody to get a foot in. But the best way to get to know someone is to introduce yourselves to them, and if you can introduce yourself with a portfolio of really solid, relevant work then that's going to be much more valuable to an art department than being, say, the producer's nephew. So make your portfolio the absolute best it can be!" "Being a Graphic Designer means making all the graphic props that the actors interact with on set. Telegrams, love letters, maps. It's the best job in the industry really, but everyone thinks that about their own grade, don't they?!" #filmcrew #behindthescenes #filmmaking
Norman Kelly, Stunt Coordinator – In Focus How Norman Kelly, Stunt Coordinator – In Focus How long have you worked in the industry? “I have worked in the Film Industry for just over 20 years. I started out in the Industry through my martial arts training, which gave me the skills and mindset to continue training in Stunts Performance and Action to this day, one of the first big projects I worked on was a movie called “The Boxer” and so my journey began.” Do you have any favourite moments or memories from being on set? “One of the best moments I’ve had in my career was my work as Stunt Coordinator on the film “Michael Inside” which won the IFTA award Best Film and one that every teenager should watch.” Do you have adice for people starting out? “My best advice for anybody starting into the industry is to be respectful to all departments, and to have no ego - only think of performance.” The journey continued for me as a stunt performer graduating through experience and training to be a Stunt Coordinator, which was awarded by Stunt Guild Ireland. Thank you to all I have had the pleasure to work with.     #filmcrew #filmdustry
Denis Fitzpatrick, 2nd AD - In Focus... How long Denis Fitzpatrick, 2nd AD - In Focus... How long have you worked in the industry? “I’ve been working in the industry since 2003.” How did you get started? “Well, I’ve always wanted to work in film since i was young, so i got a place in college in Galway to study film.  One of my mates in the class had a friend who’s brother worked as an AD.  I found out a bit of what it entails, then moved to Dublin, got a list of ADs from SIPTU and started ringing around. I’m currently working with the First AD who signed my union ticket so i’ve come full circle!” Do you have a favourite on set moment?“Lots of great ones, particularly anytime I was on set in luggala estate. Rain or shine it’s just an amazing place to film.” Do you have any advice for people starting out? “Most people say the same, but learn to drive! Other than that, my main advice is to remember people’s names and what they do.  AD work is all about communication so when you know peoples names you are half way there.  And be friendly- for myself and my directing partner, getting on well with people in the industry here has been vital when it comes to favours and crewing for our own projects…. and with that in mind let me plug our website which features our films!  www.cometostanleys.com”
Billi Webster, Production Accountant - In Focus Billi Webster, Production Accountant - In Focus How long have you worked in the Industry and how did you get started? "23 Years. In 1998, when my daughter was 4yrs old a friend asked me if I’d like to pop out and give a hand in the office on “Animal Farm”.  I had worked as a hairdresser for a number of years & managed a salon so had experience in payroll and bookkeeping. I was quickly sucked in to the madness.  Even though it was incredibly busy and the hours were long, there was great camaraderie. I just got stuck in and really caught the bug and can say with pride and great humility that I haven’t stopped working for 20 years.  I was trained on the job and have never stopped learning. The industry has changed quite a lot over the past number of years. It’s become more efficient with better technology. In many ways it’s more labour intensive but I still absolutely love it.  Every job is different & never boring. Have you had a favourite moment on set? "Most of my favourite moments revolve around problem solving & reconciling things.  I love a bank Reconciliation!  I have been lucky enough to travel a little bit for work, recently filming in the Tyrol region Austria which was so beautiful. I love to work on a project & be proud of what I’m working on.  I was especially proud of Ripper Street. The crew were wonderful & we had great support from the producers which makes a huge difference. There are always pranks & jokes – so much laughter. I love the people I work with. We all support each other through what can be very pressurised & stressful times.  I am so proud of some of our team members who started with us as trainees who are doing so well now and training their own teams. Do you have any advice to people started out? "Working in accounts is hard work & the hours are long.  The rewards well outweigh the stress though. Dive in with enthusiasm, ask questions and concentrate.  You are often dealing with huge budgets so your work needs to be clear & precise. You should always be aware that you are part of a team who are all relying on each other. There is loads of encouragement for people who work hard. Respect your team & be discreet. Above all - Love it!
Graeme Bird, HOD Modelmaker - In Focus... How lon Graeme Bird, HOD Modelmaker - In Focus... How long have you worked in the industry? "I started out in 1995 working in the Art department." How did you start? "I started on Scarlet doing work experience with the locations department parking cars. While I was working on that I heard about a film coming into Ireland which was starting to crew up. I put my CV in and ended up working as Art department Modelmaker on Braveheart. I was still in IADT on the Modelmaking course so I arranged to take 2 months from college to continue working on it. It was an amazing experience as I ended up working in many departments from the Art department, Props and Armoury.  I also got to work with a lot of people which helped me with contacts for future jobs after I finished college." Favourite moment on set? "There have been so many really, Building Miniature spaceships for Spacetruckers, being on set for Braveheart battle scenes, underwater treasure chest props in the sea of Malta, to having an exploding cow prop I made shown at the Oscars on the Oscar winning short film Six shooter. There have been some good moments among all the long hours and hard work." It's so important to try and enjoy the work we do in the madness of it all when filming.   Any advice for people starting out? "Being enthusiastic to learn and being part of a team really helps. Listening and seeing how everyone works is an important part. There are a lot of skills to learn but most crew are willing to help. Making new contacts on each production helps you to get more work." Photo is from Vikings. Photo of the Sword of Kings from Vikings. We made the original sword parts and it was then cast in bronze.  Sword supervised  by John Mckenna . Vikings Armoury department.
Irish documentary filmmakers! Applications for the Irish documentary filmmakers! Applications for the marketplace are currently open, and the deadline for project submissions is Friday April 16th. Marketplace attracts some impressive names from the documentary industry so this really is a fantastic opportunity!!
Hugh Chaloner, Editor –In Focus… Photo attache Hugh Chaloner, Editor –In Focus… Photo attached, courtesy of Hugh O’Conor. On stage at The Gaiety, "20 Shots of Opera”   How long have you worked in the industry? “I started in the industry in 1982 at Windmill Lane Pictures.” How did you start? “I graduated with a degree in Maths/Electronic Engineering from Trinity College Dublin. My very first job was programming traffic lights for Dublin Corporation - I lasted three months in that job. I managed to blag an interview with Meiert Avis, one of the founders of Windmill Lane Pictures and he took me on as a runner. Initially I made teas and coffees for clients and then embarked in career in Telecine, colour grading rushes, spending a lot of time handling film and negative in particular. From Telecine, I moved on to editing where I learnt by osmosis from some really stellar editors - Brian McCue, Brian Cash, Jim McGuirk, Russ Russell & Meiert Avis. Over the course of my career I’ve seen a few tech paradigm shifts from linear editing on analogue tape, to digital tape and disk systems, through to modern digital production techniques. At the heart of it all is the craft rather than the tech.  I left Windmill after a great 10 years and freelanced in Dublin, in Los Angeles and a little in London cutting commercials, music videos & documentaries, corporates and shorts. I’ve also had a long relationship with broadcast such as cutting “The Young Offenders” tv drama and most recently with "Inside the K". Somewhere along the way I evolved my life long love of photography into videography and started filming mini documentaries/advocacy pieces for NGOs mostly in east Africa. The material I shoot now predominantly feeds my editing endeavours. My latest work has been for Irish National Opera, Glanbia and Mater Private Network. I'm very lucky to be busy and have access to really interesting work.”   Do you have a favourite work memory? “I accidentally took Herb Alpert’s parking space at A&M Records, delivering a piece of work we’d been doing for Bruce Springsteen.”   Advice for anyone starting out? “For editing: concentrate on the craft - the tech is just a tool - and network like crazy. For camera work: take care of your back."
Grainne Dooley, In Focus -VFX Set Supervisor/Lead Grainne Dooley, In Focus -VFX Set Supervisor/Lead Wrangler 1-How long have you worked in the industry? "Since 2003" 2-How did you start? "My Dad owned a cinema in Kilkenny until the early 70's so I grew up watching old movies and hearing tales of what it was like to run a "picture house" in the good old days. I studied Media Production, then got a Dip in Animation and a Degree in Production Design. Then I booked a one way ticket to New Zealand and declared I wouldn't come back until I got into the Camera Dept. Then it was sheer determination & persistence!  I got on a few big features, and learned so much about all departments. I ended up in Australia on "Charlotte's Web" where I harassed the camera team there and learned loads from them. Then I knocked on the door of Panavision in Melbourne and asked them to teach me how to load film, and while I was there, I met a focus puller prepping a TV show called "Surgeons", and that was it! Back in Ireland, Ron Coe gave me my first camera job.  I was offered work in Video Assist after a few years, and did both. After another 4 years of that, it was time for a change and Vikings S1 needed a VFX wrangler so I jumped at the chance to get back to my 3D roots! I love VFX, its like 2 worlds, the onset shooting side, and post production side." 3-Favourite moment? "So many "pinch yourself" moments...like being an extra on "King Kong" in New Zealand and watching Andy Serkis perform as Kong, or like being helicoptered onto set in the southern alps of NZ on "Narnia, The lion the Witch and the Wardrobe", or watching the greens keeper crew literally spray paint real trees in the background of the farm yard set on "Charlotte's Web" to make it look like Autumn, or sweating in the heat of the Sahara while shooting photogramatory of the army base set on "The Old Guard" 4-Advice "Ask questions! Don't be afraid to switch departments! Be eager, cold call people and ask them for work.  Be ready to start at the bottom and work your way up. Be on time and reliable. It's not all roses, there's egos, pressure, laughs, doubts, and a good dose of craic in the middle of it all! But it's an amazing career full of possibilities!"
Hugh Fox, Sound Mixer - In Focus... How long have Hugh Fox, Sound Mixer - In Focus... How long have you worked in the Film Industry? "I started doing sound for Factual T.V. in 2002 and worked on my first Feature in 2003." How did you get your foot in the door? "I studied sound engineering in Glasgow and after finishing my degree I worked as a Live engineer in different venues there. In 2001 I moved to the West of Ireland and it was difficult getting work in music in Galway. A friend of mine, a brilliant camera operator Catherine O'Shaughnessy, worked for a production company shooting TV pieces. She got me my first gig. It was a slot for MTV following Ronan Keating for a day as he visited his school and Dublin landmarks. I completely winged it (still am!) and knew after that day that this was something I wanted to do. The first feature I worked on was a micro budget zombie film called “Dead Meat”, shot in Leitrim. Conor McMahon was the director, he and the rest of the crew had all just graduated from film school. It was a really young crew and we had so much fun and I learned so much on that job." What has been your favorite moment on set? "Working on set can be stressful and hard work. It can also be the absolute craic! I've made some great friends through work. I've been really lucky in that I've gotten to travel a lot with the job. I've worked in Africa a good few times and have done two features in Ethiopia. Working there is intense and incredibly fulfilling. Experiences like that with your friends are the best!" Do you have any advice for people starting out? "It can be hard getting a start in the film Industry. You just have to be persistent in contacting people and trying to get experience on set. Also buy some decent boots and outdoor gear and learn how to drive!"
Ailish Bracken, Producer/Production Manager - In F Ailish Bracken, Producer/Production Manager - In Focus How long have you worked in the industry? "I started in the industry in early 2008. I had just spent two years in New York and I decided to return home to work on Irish films. My plane literally touched down as the recession hit, which was a challenge to say the least!" How did you start? "I was hired by Blinder Films as a production coordinator for a Film Board Short Cut film. I had no idea what I was doing. However I managed to hold it together enough to be kept on as a production assistant with Blinder and I worked with them for nearly 7 years. I always count myself really lucky for that opportunity as I felt like I got the best of both worlds. I learned how a production company works and I worked on the production teams of their TV projects, and moved from assistant to coordinator, manager and line producer that way." Favourite moment at work? "There are so many, its hard to choose! The picture I included was from a shoot at dawn on Keem Beach on Achill Island, it was pure magic.  Shooting an allnight rave on the site of Knockanstockan in Blessington for Dublin Oldschool was the most fun I've ever had on a shoot.  But I will never forget filming Panti Bliss's Noble Call at the Abbey Theatre in 2014 with Conor Horgan and Caroline Campbell. It went viral and helped propel the fight for Marriage Equality in Ireland into international headlines. It became part of the feature documentary we made about Panti and the equality referendum The Queen of Ireland. It was an electrifying speech and night and I was glad to have a small part in it." Advice for anyone starting out? 1. Learn to drive.  2. Join a guild to learn and understand your rights as a crew member.  3. Be kind, patient and encouraging, especially to those in grades below you. We should never try to make the road harder for those coming behind us, clearing the way will cultivate a much better industry.
Happy International Womens days to all you powerfu Happy International Womens days to all you powerful souls out there! The Irish film industry is lucky to have such a phenomenal female workforce.
Niamh O'Loan, Make-Up Designer - In Focus How lon Niamh O'Loan, Make-Up Designer - In Focus How long have you worked in the industry? "I've worked in film for 24 years...Which has flown by!" How did you get your foot through the door? "My first film was Saving Private Ryan. As a junior, I helped cover the hundreds of FCA soldiers in blood and dirt on Curracloe beach..The make-up designer was Lois Burwell, who has used several Irish make-up artists (myself included) on Spielberg films since then." What was your favourite moment on set? "There are simply too many fun moments to single out one. I love the camaraderie and teamwork.  A major perk of the job is travel...I left college before gap years were a thing, so going away to shoot with a 100 friends and colleagues more than makes up for it." Do you have any advice for people starting out? "In the make-up dept, you have to learn to work as part of a team. It really is a group effort. Also let people teach you, don't be so eager to show what you know that you forget to listen and learn."
Darrell Murphy- Grip, In Focus How long have you Darrell Murphy- Grip, In Focus How long have you worked in the industry? “I started in 2002” How did you get your foot through the door? “At the time my uncle, Jim Moore, was a stand by carpenter and he was working with John Murphy who in turn was looking for a trainee. The conversation went a bit like this:   Jim: “Why not give my apprentice a try” John: “He needs to be a strong lad” Jim: “He is 6”2 and hard worker”  John: “How old Is he?” jim : “20” John: “What’s his second name?” Jim: “Murphy” Collie (Murphy) chimed in, “we’ll have him”   Do you have a favourite work moment? “Working on set can be funny, happy, sad…anything you like! Years ago, on my lunch break I was robbed at knife point when working down near windmill lane, I had just withdrawn my wages for the week. When I got back to set, Eileen Conroy, the set medic, had a whip around and I ended up getting more cash then I had taken from me. Then Pierce Brosnan walked up to me and put £100 note in my front shirt pocket! Some crews becomes like a second family. Especially the Vikings crew!”   Any advice for anyone starting out in the industry? “Never be late, don’t turn down work. Be eager to learn anything you don’t understand, including other departments roles"
Jon Beer, Supervising Art Director - In Focus How Jon Beer, Supervising Art Director - In Focus How long have you worked in the Industry? "I started out in 2004 working as a Camera Assistant in Barcelona" How did you start? "With a Production company that hired out crew to foreign journalists. I said YES to any job that was on offer no matter if I had the experience to match or not. I even took on a job as a sound recordist on a Nike Commercial (with total prior experience of putting a radio mic on Hugh Hefner)! How hard can it be I thought!! Inadvertently that’s why I am in Ireland now" Favourite moment: "That’s a tough one, there are so many favourite moments, many terrifying as well! The terrifying feeling of some big gag you are responsible for, going wrong when being shot on and possibly killing someone was often a thing on Vikings. And then there are those moments of pleasure in seeing something you have spent 100’s of hours on work out. Like craning a spaceship into position outside the Science Museum in Valencia with the world watching" Advise for people starting out: "Take everything you do on a job seriously, treat it with importance and see it through to the end. Make good friendships, you want people to have your back!" Photo courtesy of Conor Flannery with thanks (Recce at Avondale for Vikings) and I love it as it makes my job look so tranquil!
Barbara Milne, Costume Assistant - In Focus... Ho Barbara Milne, Costume Assistant - In Focus... How did you get started in the Film Industry? "I’ve worked in the industry since 2007. I got started by doing dress making in the grafton academy and got my first few days on a TV show through a friend who was a make up artist working on it. I loved it, got on well with the supervisor and she passed my name on to others." Do you have a favourite moment on set? "Jesus that’s hard, I’ve had an lot of craic on sets over the years. I think the fun I had working in the extras department on The Tudors is up there. It was such hard work but we laughed a lot. Having to be Deirdre O’Kanes driving double once (she can drive, she just couldn’t find her licence for insurance purposes!) was pretty entertaining. Especially when I couldn’t get the (1980’s sans power steering) car into reverse in front of the whole crew. " "My advice for anyone getting into film and tv is to listen as much as possible and talk as little as possible at first! And brace yourself for the hours!! This is me on the set of little women, about 7 months pregnant, having a laughing fit at Karen Rigg. "
Jeanette McGrath, Script Supervisor - In Focus Ho Jeanette McGrath, Script Supervisor - In Focus How long have you worked in the industry? "I became a full Script Supervisor 21 years ago!!!!" How did you start? "I always loved films and knew that is what I wanted to do as a career. I didn't know what a Script Supervisor was until I begged my way onto my first job on a film set as an unpaid floor runner. The amazing Louise Gaffney was on that one and I was soooo intrigued by her job. The next year I worked on another film as a production runner. The fabulous Emer Conroy was on that one. I was determined to be a Script Supervisor by then. Both of these ladies helped me get my first insight into the job. Then the incredible Pat Rambaut took me under her wing and trained me over 2 years." Favourite moment you ever had at work? "So many!! Getting to various locations is one of my favourite parts of the job. Norway is still high up there as quite the experience. Maybe the most personal moment was when I was on a film and the Art department had asked crew to send in old photos, etc. for dressing. I sent in a few. When I walked around one of our new sets I saw my parent's wedding photo. I mentioned it to the director and he made sure it went where it would be featured. I saw the film about a year later and had forgotten about this. When that scene came on the screen I got very emotional. It meant so much to me and my extended family" Any advice for anyone starting out? "Please train and train with experienced crew relevant to the craft you want to be part of. Acknowledge that you cannot know it all without training. Respect the industry. Respect your peers"
Dave Doherty - In Focus Focus Puller How long hav Dave Doherty - In Focus Focus Puller How long have you worked in the Film Industry: 'My first job was on the feature ‘Eamon’ in 2008' How did you get started? 'I studied film production at UCD, where they brought in many top professionals from across the Irish film industry to give workshops and mentor us on our student films, including a couple of focus pullers who were kind enough to offer me work as a camera trainee after I finished the course' What has been your most memorable moment? 'There’s been a lot of cool and interesting moments over the years, but the series wrap after 6 and a half years on Vikings was quite emotional. It was a very challenging shoot, but the friendships forged were special. No matter what the day held in store I looked forward to seeing everyone in the camera dept. every day, they’re a really wonderful group of people. Thankfully I still get to work with most of them regularly' Advice for anyone starting out? 'Having the right attitude is paramount. You’ve got to be keen, hard working and get on well with others. I also really value trainees with a learning mindset - some people starting out try too hard to make an impression by showing off what they know rather than taking on board what you’re trying to teach them'
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