Hope production wrapped

Today production wrapped on Hope, an ambitious Lord of the Ring fanfic project. I played two orcs, made possible by the incredibly impressive costumes, with realistic latex masks for the orcs.

The shooting took place in Belvoir Park, in Belfast, which turned out to be a perfect location, because of it's sheer vastness, despite being on the edge of the city.

The director is Benjamin Mudge, who wrote and produced the project, with Aisling Kelly, Chris McCann, Jonny Walker and other students from the Belfast Metropolitan College.

This is a project I'm genuinely excited about, and with highly enthusiastic Lord of the Rings across the world, this is sure to be a big success.

Production shots and clips to come soon.

First Show on Blast FM

This morning I was out and about at 6:30am (!) to be up in time for my debut slot as the co-host of the breakfast shot on Blast 106. It's a new community station, broadcasting to greater Belfast, and is currently bedding in to the city's airwaves.

As yet there are no podcast or stream, but when they materialise, they will be linked from here.

It's definitely a new challenge for me, and I look forward to it.

Joined Fringe Benefits Theatre Company

Yesterday I was confirmed as a member of the Fringe Benefits Theatre Company, where I will begin attending workshops in May. Being part of a company brings many benefits, and this one is particularly exciting, so I am looking forward to getting started.

They are intending to put on a production of Incident at Vichy, Arthur Millar's play, which hasn't been performed in Ireland before, and are hoping to have members of the Arthur Miller Foundation in attendance, so that will be a great project to be a part of.

Shooting Simpleton

I just wrapped on the first day of my latest project, Simpleton. It's a supernatural tale about a young bullying victim, who gets a wish to be smarter. I play Mr. Rosseau, his suspicious teacher.

The production has taken on Gilliam-esque difficulties, with two of the actors dropping out at literally the 11th hour, and one of the crew breaking her wrist, but we got through a day of shooting, and will be meeting up again on Monday for another day.

Finished shooting “Number 35″

Yesterday I completed shooting for a group of Queen's students on their family drama, tentatively titled, Number 35. It is based around a house, whose bequeathment is uncertain, due to the owner of the property passing away, without leaving a will.

I play Mike, the self-centred older brother, who wants to sell the house immediately, to reap the financial rewards - neglecting his younger brother who lives in the house with his family.

It was written by Shauna Mohan, directed by Cliodhna O'Halloran, and produced by Deborah McCartney. Other members of the group were Claire Corr (editor) and Declan Holmes (sound). The other actors were Steve Armstrong, who played my younger brother, John, and Emma Walls, who played his wife Sandra.

Production wraps today, and editing should be completed by May.