Advertising & Film Creative
The Crush - the challenge
In 2009 I wrote and directed THE CRUSH. A short film about a boy who falls in love with his teacher then goes postal on her fiance. I callously cast my own son who, now eighteen, still complains about the untold psychological abuse he was subjected to on set. But he got paid some nice Lego for it so it's all good. THE CRUSH did well on the festival circuit, winning awards and commendations at Foyle, Galway, Chicago Irish, Tallgrass and Tribeca. In 2011, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Live Action Short (as it was about 105 minutes too short to be considered for Best Picture). It didn't win but I met Natalie Portman. That's what matters.
I'd like to claim all the credit but the laws of humble-bragging dictate that I mention a few other talented individuals who helped.
Producer Damon Quinn, Cinematography by my big brother Jim Creagh, Edited by Ciara Brophy of Screen Scene. Screen Scene were also responsible for grading and sound mixing. On screen talent were Olga Wehrley, Rory Keenan, Charlie Bonner, Neili Conroy and Oran Creagh.
RUBY
A mere 9 years later, I have just completed my second short. RUBY is a simple tale (a tad less violent than THE CRUSH) about a recently retired couple celebrating their Ruby wedding anniversary. With financial backing from Northern Ireland Screen, we shot it over two days in beautiful County Down. I can't say enough good things about our two leads, Kate O'Toole (THE DEAD, THE TUDORS) and Dan Gordon (SOME MOTHER'S SON). Suffice to say, they knocked it out of the park and I'm still convinced they're actually a married couple. We're also honoured to have a fab score by David Geraghty of Bell X1. RUBY will be starting its festival journey (fingers and everything else crossed) in 2019.
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