Biography
After 10 years in marketing, promoting and developing Irish entertainment industry, trained as a TV producer/director in RTE in 1984. Briefly, experienced on location and in multi-camera studio; P/D films with U2; Bowie; Self Aid; 3 years in London as freelance – location director on C4 series Wired (BAFTA Winner) and with Windmill Lane London P/D on major TV/Film docs (The Pogues, Italia ’90; Clannad) shown at Film Festivals worldwide. Returned to Dublin in 1989 as EP New Progs/Talent at Ireland’s 1st commercial channel TV3; later 1st ever Commissioning Editor of TV Entertainment RTE. Later worked with many prodcos in Ireland, NI & UK as writer, producer, director, development exec and script editor. Launched own prodco Sideline in 2005 with shows sold & broadcast world-wide inc. Ireland’s most successful fact-ent and history series internationally (i.e. Close Encounters with Keith Barry for RTE and Secrets of Great British Castles for C5/Netflix). Also Ireland’s biggest comedy producer (radio and digital); consistently winning funding for projects and has a stellar network of contacts/friends in distributors; agencies; broadcasters and commissioners both at home and across the globe. Recently EP/Script Editor Comedy Showhouse (12 x 30s RTE Radio1) and P/D of Citizens of Boomtown (Rats) – 2020 DIFF feature length x 90 mins; RTE x 2 hours and x 60 mins on sale internationally.
Areas of Expertise for Mentoring
- Idea development / both creative and commercial
- Creating ideas – developing a work flow to find the bright ‘spark’
- Talent development – front and behind the camera
- Script development esp Comedy
- Direction styles and develop best overall visual package for the project
- Shooting cost effective high impact sizzles and promos to sell the project
- Writing and pitching proposals – esp Docs; TV formats and comedy
- Effective ways to schedule and manage the post production process
- Maximise potential revenues internationally
- Managing 3rd party funders inc S481; BAI; Broadcasters and Sponsors
- Legal advice; IP protection and importance of self-educating on ‘rights’
- Choose the best team / avoid regrets
- Managing difficult team members – talent or production crew
- Keeping an eye on the costs/budgets/outgoings
- Planning ahead/juggling projects/maximising individual/group strengths
- Mental well-being and avoiding stress
- Balancing work, life and family/relationships