Tag: ireland

Sonairte In Winter

Sonairte in Winter is a short educational film presented by climate activist and nature educator Nicola Winters. The 30 minute film is available for private showings at schools and conferences, online and off.

“Sonairte [pronounced SON-ART-A] is an interactive visitor centre, located on the coast off Meath, promoting ecological awareness and sustainable living. The name Sonairte is derived from a middle Irish word meaning “positive strength”.

Sonairte was established as a charity in 1988 by members of the local community and concerned environmentalists to promote environmental awareness and education. At Sonairte we work with groups from all backgrounds, ages and abilities, including pre-schools, primary schools, post primary schools, third level institutions, tour groups and youth groups. We also provide facilities and programmes for the general public, community groups and interested individuals.

Our courses aim to provide information, education and practical skills on a range of topics, such as biodiversity, organic gardening and sustainable living. Our approach is holistic, and with small numbers on each course, learner focused.”

iCare Housing Promo

I worked with housing non-profit iCare to create this micro doc about their latest tenant Michael. iCare help homeowners who are at risk of losing their houses stay in their homes.

“Delighted to announce that we have just saved 52 families from homelessness. We have completed the purchase of all 52 homes using the State’s #MortgageToRent scheme. Here’s our newest tenant Michael Skelly to explain how it’s changed his life”

Memory – New Music Video in Aid of Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Donate to Alzheimer’s Ireland here.

Early this year I was approached by Professor Richard Roche of Maynooth University, and musicians Aural Air (Dr. Laura Rai) & Patrick McEleney. Laura & Patrick had written a song articulating the experience of living with Alzheimer’s disease. The song was a fundraiser for the incredible Alzheimer’s Ireland, and was intended to be released during the ‘Brain Awareness Week‘ event run by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

Inspired by a beautiful episode of ‘The Truth’ podcast, called ‘Can You Help Me Find My Mom‘ by Diana McCorry, I developed the concept of a young girl lost in the city, who doesn’t know who or where she is, until love helps her recover her memory.

We filmed the video over a week in Dublin, with incredible help from Patricia Pierce of Our Lady’s Hospice, and all the staff at the National Botanic Gardens. Professor Roche himself produced the video and even has a cameo as a put upon doctor! Laura (a neuroscientist herself) starred, alongside veteran actor and retired psychologist Professor Emeritus Mike Timms (who previously cameo’d in my video for Chris Wilson’s ‘Now I See You‘. Finally we had the immense privilege of working with renowned Irish actress Rosemary Henderson who in addition to touring with her own show about dementia, based on her experience caring for her father, is well known at home and abroad for her work on shows like Fair City and of course Father Ted.

Our director of photography was the incredible Siobhán Rose Madden, who previously worked with me on the epic video ‘Pardon Me‘ for Shy Mascot. And our gaffer was Paul Lynch of Studio 4, without who’s help we could not have pulled this together.

The video (like everything else it seems) was delayed due to the pandemic, but we’re delighted to be able to release it today. Thanks again to everyone who gave so generously of their time. Please donate to Alzheimer’s Ireland if you can. Times are hard, but this is a brilliant charity, helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Alzheimer’s and dementia in general affect everyone – whether directly or through their impact on fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends and colleagues. Right now my own family help care for our eldest living relative, my great aunty Anna, who’s battling dementia. With luck, and the help of organisations like Alzheimer’s Ireland, research can defeat this cruel disease.

A Year with the Black Magic Pocket 4K

We’ve spent a year getting to know this small but mighty camera. We’ve shot around Europe and the US, on both corporate and music videos. Just what makes the Pocket 4K and it’s big brother the Pocket 6K different? What do you need to use these cameras? Can they replace production cameras? Can they be used for run and gun vlogging? Answers to all these questions and more.

This is the first episode in a new series of camera and camera gear reviews, aimed at videographers and editors in Ireland

Thanks to channel sponsor Camerakit.ie for their help with this video https://camerakit.ie/

The Siog String Trio Live in St Patrick’s College

Sióg String Trio play Bach.
Violins: Anna McKenna and Orla O’Hanlon.
Cello: Áine Ní Loingsigh

For bookings email: siogstringtrio@gmail.com 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siogstringtrio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Si%C3%B3g-String-Trio-172590036121762/

Shot and edited by Gareth Stack https://www.garethstack.com/
Sound design / edit – Orla O’Hanlon

Chris Wilson – I See You

It must have been about a year ago that I met Chris Wilson, and his partner Áine Ní Loingsigh. They were playing together in St Stephen’s Green. Not busking, but just jamming on cello and guitar for the hell of it. I shot some footage with a gimbal I’d just picked up, and we shared emails.



A few months later Chris suggested we made a music video for his debut EP. I came up with a typically ambitious idea, and eventually, over herbal teas in Chris’s boho flat in the docklands he and Aine agreed to do it.

The resulting video is very much ‘stone soup filmmaking’, with a crew working largely for free and a shoestring budget. We shot in the house my great great grandfather built at the turn of the century in Carrigabruise Cavan.

The band (Chris and Áine) gave absolutely stunning performances as a rural couple struggling with poverty and the pain of a hard turn of the century life. Lee Murphy paints an incredibly moving portrait of their child.

The video was shot by Andy Flaherty, Ismael Diarra and myself, with invaluable production from Jimmy Galvin at Shoot Cut Grade. Most of the crew worked for free, and gave their hearts completely to the project. Dan Kelleher, Donal Kelleher, Lisa Murphy, Shona Murphy, Laura Keane, Aisling Lynch, Lee Murphy and of course Nicole O’Connor were incredible as background artists. Costumes were provided by Ciaran Taylor of Carpet Theatre, who personally took us into his home to riddle through his haul of turn of the century garments. Thanks also to David Murphy of Smoke Stack Studios, who provided immense support to the production. Thanks also to my uncle and aunt Michael and Sheila Stack who let us use the old house, which was literally an irreplaceable setting for the video.

Credits

Written by Chris Wilson and Grahame Rolfe
Video by Gareth Stack
Director of Photographer – Andrew Flaherty
Camera Operator – Ismael Diarra
Producer – James Galvin, Shoot Cut Grade
Starring Chris Wilson, Áine Ní Loingsigh, Lee Murphy, Mike Timms.
Background Artists – Dan Kelleher, Aisling Lynch, Nicole O’Connor

Cyclists of Dublin

Cyclists of Dublin - Rose

Shane Connelly, who was one of the guiding lights in Exchange Dublin; recently started a project creating short video portraits of Dublin cyclists. I’ll be shooting and editing eight of these brief portraits, while Shane carries out the interviews (and handles all the thankless organising!). The idea is to humanise cyclists in the face of mounting evidence that drivers do not see us as fully human. Cyclists are often depicted as hordes of lycra clad fit young men, but this doesn’t reflect the diversity of cycling road users in the city.

We’re still actively seeking participants, particularly from underrepresented communities. More info here – http://cyclistsofdublin.com/

4 Lights – Shy Mascot

I directed / edited and co-shot this video for Dublin band Shy Mascot. Previously we’d worked together on the video ‘Pardon Me‘.

4 Lights, the new single from Dublin band Shy Mascot. All the incredible moving shots were carried out by cameraman Sean Bond on his electric skateboard. The video stars the incredibly talented young actor, Lorcan Strain, who recently guested on Game of Thrones final episode.

The video was inspired by my experiences working as a delivery cyclist on the dangerous Dublin city roads during my masters degree.

Director – Gareth Stack
Starring – Lorcan Strain
Costume / Design – Francis Galligan 
Action Camera – Sean Bond
Camera – Gareth Stack
Lighting Assistants – Greg O’Reilly, Fearghal O’Mahoney
Producer – Stephen Dalton 
Late State Capitalist – Aidan O’Sullivan
Human Horse – Shane Conneely

Background artists – Nicole O’Connor, Greg Young, James Van De Waal, Dave Rowe, Kyle Cheldon Barnett, Niamh Reddin, Ellen Mee, Michael Marshall, Kevin gibbons.

Special Thanks – James Galvin, Cian Brennan