A VERY SPECIAL PROJECT : NCBI STUDENT FILM
We’re thrilled to partner with NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) to assist in creating a bespoke short movie with a group of visually impaired young adults.
As all of us here at Clap 'n Load Studios continue to work tirelessly on the creation of new projects as we carve out fresh opportunities for ourselves within the film world, and we're thrilled to finally be able to tell you about our latest project that saw us partner with NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) last February to assist in creating a bespoke short movie with a group of visually impaired young adults.
The film, graciously funded by Hub na nÓg (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth), was shot on Friday 22nd April, 2022 after three sessions hosted by Clap ‘n Load Studios’ John Kelly and Derek Masterson. Throughout these three classes prior to the shoot, the students learned, not only how to make a movie from beginning to end, but also had the practical experience of learning about filmmaking tools and techniques, shooting tricks of the trade, and scriptwriting lessons and workshop before becoming stars of the silver screen!
We're delighted to have been invited to create this project for NCBI as visual impairment is a subject close to our hearts, and the subject matter of our very own short movie "Visionaries" that is currently lighting up screens on the festival circuit around the world.
On Wednesday 11th May, 2022 the young people will undertake a final class concentrating on the art of editing before their film is unveiled to them, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for taking part in the course, and all the staff at NCBI for their enthusiasm and support throughout and for entrusting us with this very special project.
A LOOK BEHIND THE MASK : MASQUERADE
With Clap 'n Load Studios about to drop the official trailer for their first short film "Masquerade" this Friday, we decided it would be an appropriate time to reflect on the origins of the project and the unexpected adversities it had to overcome in order to come to life.
With Clap 'n Load Studios about to drop the official trailer for their first short film "Masquerade" this Friday we decided it would be an appropriate time to reflect on the origins of the project and the unexpected adversities it had to overcome in order to come to life.
John Kelly, the film's writer and director speaks to me over Zoom on a particularly wintry December evening. His affection for his first production is infectious as his warmth for it is transmitted down the camera lens. "I was on a flight coming home from DC and had been thinking about writing a story that focused on what people present to us rather than what they are, and the imagery that came to mind was of a masquerade ball. So I wanted that to be the focal point of the film." he candidly explains giving an insight into the background of his idea. "So I spent the flight Googling images of Masquerade masks and costuming, which wasn’t easy with the awful internet connection." he laughs.
Initially an idea for "a three minute showpiece without dialogue" it quickly became apparent to the young writer-filmmaker that this idea could expand far further than he initially imagined as he began to realise a much larger world within the germ of his idea. So much so he tells me that creating it as a short movie became a task in itself.
“There’s the basis of a TV series here, and we have the plot points and outline of that series already written. Masquerade is just an excerpt of that longer story.”
However, it being a Kickstarter fundraising film it was decided to keep the project, an ambitious period piece set in England prior to the Irish 1916 rebellion, to under fifteen minutes. "Its a situation story about power and the tenuous position of power. There's a whole lot we haven't gotten around to talking about in this pilot, but there's a lot of stuff going on." He isn't wrong. In the trailer for the film he shows me we meet a staunch Duke, his power-driven wife, their cowardly Physician, and learn of the dangers looming for each of them when the actions of the Duke’s headstrong son come to light on the night of their masquerade ball.
Of course, the production wasn't without its issues. The primary one: being a film with a low budget means less access to crew and equipment. Calling upon friends, family and volunteers the film was shot at a breakneck pace over a single weekend in Kilruddery House in Wicklow. Undaunted and undeterred by a lack of budget the production steamed ahead and where glitches arose creativity overcame. Frustratingly, after production wrapped further delays on the project were met as the the post production team working on the film were forced to work from home due to the pandemic resulting in a lengthy delay.
John Kelly’s enthusiasm for his film assisted him in overcoming each issue stating "Where problems arise I like to see as an opportunity". After the lengthy wait for post production to finalise, John using the time in-between to work on future projects for Clap 'n Load Studios, the film was released to competitions around the world and has been a resounding success receiving awards and nominations for Best Actor and Costume, to name a few. The delays in seeing his project come to life were no doubt disheartening at times, but the end result (which is slated to be released on Christmas Day) and trailer that will be released this coming Friday are a testament to his passion for film-making.
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