Locals row in behind making of film

THE producer of a new movie shot in west Cork has cast locals in the final cut and has asked local musicians to collaborate on the score, as a “thank-you” for their support.

Principal photography on supernatural comedy The Blow-Ins — a new short film supported by Cork County Council in association with the Cork Screen Commission (CSC) — has just been completed.

Written and directed by CJ Scuffins, and produced by Raymond McSweeney and Jill Sartini for Story Factory, Ireland, it was shot on location in the picturesque villages of Courtmacsherry and Kilbrittain, and at other coastal locations across west Cork.

Mr McSweeney said his team received wonderful support from CSC and the county council which allowed the production team to partner with locally-based cast and crew.

“I was able to dovetail Story Factory’s highly creative director CJ Scuffins with Cork-based heads of departments Ian D Murphy (camera, AV3 productions), Rupert McCarthy-Morrow (Lighting, SLR Broadcast hire) and Robert O’Halloran (sound) resulting in a great onset chemistry,” he said,

But he heaped praiseon the localcommunities for their co-operation.

“The support we received from the local community on location in Courtmacsherry and Kilbrittain was unbelievable,” he said.

“We felt so strong about the level of support we received that Jill, a Gaiety-trained actress, who plays the lead role, ran acting workshops with local children.

“As a result we incorporated some of these children along with their parents and many other locals into the film.”

And, to top it off, Mr McSweeney said when they discovered talented local musicians Cornelius Whelton and John B Murphy, they asked them to compose an original song for a pivotal scene in the film.

John B is now collaborating with Story Factory’s soundtrack artist Richard Jolly on the film score.

The film follows lead character Lorraine Egan, played by Jill Sartini, a rockabilly who ‘blows-in’ to west Cork from inner-city Dublin seeking a new life.

She volunteers for a sea-rescue crew and happens upon a “ghost boat” on her first mayday mission.

Story Factory will use its own post-production facilities in Dublin to edit the film, which is due for release on the international film festival circuit early next year.

Picture: Ian D Murphy shoots the “ghost boat” during principal photography for The Blow-Ins, in west Cork.