An Audio Feast for would-be film-makers or actors

P.S. A podcast of the documentary is available on Newstalk

My radio documentary ‘Lights, Stop Messin’, Action!” is being broadcast on one of Ireland’s national radio stations, Newstalk 106–108 fm, this weekend (26th/27th Feb) in the Different Voices documentary slot. It’s scheduled to coincide with Oscar weekend! This intriguing and candid documentary mingles eager young voices with revealing insights and advice from award-winning film-maker Lenny Abrahamson and successful casting director Maureen Hughes. If you are interested in film-making or acting then listen in! It is also an audio feast for anyone who just loves films. The broadcast times are Saturday 8 – 9am, repeated Sunday 9-10pm. I presented and produced it. You can also listen in on the Internet on www.Newstalk.ie

Description
 
LIGHTS, STOP MESSIN’, ACTION!

Produced and presented by Grace Wynne-Jones

Many Irish youngsters are getting a chance to make their own short films these days, but what if they want to take their screen dreams further? What qualities will they need to succeed in the Irish film business, in front or behind the camera?

Entitled ‘Lights, Stop Messin’, Action!’, this intriguing documentary mingles eager young voices with revealing insights from film professionals. Novelist Grace Wynne-Jones meets youngsters from disadvantaged areas who are making a movie at a film camp organised by Dun Laoghaire Youth Service. And she gets candid advice from film director Lenny Abrahamson and casting director Maureen Hughes that will help aspiring actors or film-makers of any age. She learns that movie making often requires an ability to combine sensitivity with toughness, but that other attributes are harder to quantify. We hear, for example, that a filmed audition sometimes mysteriously reveals qualities that were completely hidden when an actor walked into a room.

As for the youngsters, some of them say they would love the glamour of red carpet premieres but they’ve glimpsed the truth behind the tinsel. They already know that film-making is hard work and requires lots of hanging around waiting for ‘takes’. They eagerly shout ‘Silence on the set, camera rolling, action!’ though filming is sometimes interrupted by giggles. If they bring their screen dreams into adulthood there will be much to learn. But at its best it will still feel like play.