Wide-eyed and angry

Thursday afternoon, I got an invitation to an open photo-call in the Young Irish Film Makers, for the National Youth Film School 2007 production ‘Suckers’. This is the first year I haven’t been involved with the National Youth Film School, having acted in ‘Stealaway’, directed a documentary on ‘Lily’s Bad Day’ and I was the 1st Assistant Director for ‘Eliza Mayflower’.

The promo shoot on the green screen was to provide images for everything from the poster and dvd cover to press pack images for ‘Suckers’. I’m not too sure on the actual story in this years production, but I do know ‘Suckers’ is about vampires in a school. From what I’ve seen of costumes, props and make-up so far, it looks like it’s gonna be great. Back this up with the writing skills of Devious Theatre’s John Morton (the man behind Heart Shaped Vinyl), and with local legend John Doran starring in and directing the film, it’s sure to be great!

The shoot also means it’s gonna be my first attempt at finishing off green screen shots myself. Having never worked on anything like this before, and I have still only a basic working knowledge of photoshop, I’m looking forward to seeing what I’ can come up with. I haven’t had more than 20 minutes to mess around due to a hectic week but I have a few ideas in the works.

Friday and today, I returned to the YIFM studio’s to do another green screen shoot, this time with that devious bunch, the Devious Theatre Company. “What are that devious bunch up to this time?”, you might ask. Well, we were shooting the poster for our upcoming production of Trey Parker’s epic “Cannibal the Musical‘.

It meant I once again had a chance to work with the creative genius that is Mr Paddy Dunne (the man behind the Heart Shaped Vinyl posters), who also plays “Frenchy Cabazon” in the upcoming show.Only he’s much better than the film version, playing him more like the Macho Man Randy Savage. The Chief was also on hand, snapping away, getting plenty of shots of the action. I’m still not going to go into detail as to what the Cannibal poster will be, but I can tell you; it’s a devious take on a very very famous painting. And, it’s sure to raise some eyebrows in this town, and maybe the Vatican!? As a result, I’m not even posting the images from the shoot before they are finished!

Due to the wonders of the green screen, we could shoot characters in smaller groups and then with the “magic of photoshop”, Paddy will then assemble the full poster. I can’t wait to see it! Unfortunately for me, I was paired up beside the Chief for my shot. Why is that a problem? Well, Ken plays “Swan”, a happy go-lucky scamp, always chuckling away, obsessed with building snowmen. I on the other hand play “Miller”, probably the complete opposite to “Swan”, always grumpy, giving out and frowning. Which is not very easy to do when you sit beside Ken and he get’s into character, dressed in his suit, complete with pink cravat and tiny bowler hat, as he chuckles away beside me. So, the title of this blog “wide-eyed and angry!” was the line I shouted out during the shoot to not crack up beside the chuckling Chief, helping me to stay in character.

Paddy will now begin work on the images, “photoshopping” things in, “photoshopping” things out, and generally “photoshopping” things all about! The first glimpses of the new poster should be appearing in the next week or two. But there’s plenty to keep us busy until then, musical rehersals have begun, acting rehearsals are still in full swing, the “severed hand” press packs have to be finished and the program has to be completed.

There’s also the first viewing of ‘Heart Shaped Vinyl’ on dvd coming up, a Devious Table Quiz, podcasts, I’ve lined up some work-experience in a local photography studio and KilkennyMusic.com will be providing extensive coverage of the Battle of the Bands 2007. As always, I’ll keep you posted.