It’s Petitswood – not Hollywood

Actors Graham Earley (Cardboard Gangsters, Broken Law, Monged) and John Connors (Cardboard Gangsters, Monged, Love/Hate) were filming in Mullingar recently for a new short, ‘Barry versus The Binman’.

The recipients of the inaugural Westmeath Film bursary, writer and director, Craig Moore from Killucan, and film-makers Brian and Emer Durcan of Western Front Studios in Mayo, were on location at Petitswood Manor, where the action was taking place.

The film centres around a down on his luck 30-something, who becomes fixated on a feud with his bin collectors when they begin leaving his wheelie-bin in other people’s driveways.

A grant of €10,000 was awarded for the production of the original 10-12 minute film.

The film bursary comes at a time of significant development for film-making in Westmeath. Film studio, Hammerlake Studios, which got the green light for building in Lough Sheever Business Park, Mullingar, will employ in the region of 1,000 production staff and will generate €50m per annum for the local economy, including €19m in wages alone, once operational.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, writer and director, Craig Moore said filming, which took place over two and half days, concluded a lot of solid work on behalf of the cast and crew.

“The aim is to take it on the festival circuit, and have it ready for the Galway Film Fleadh in July. It’s the biggest one in the country, and we’re hoping to have Barry versus The Binman’s first screening there as well,” said Craig, maker of powerful drama Three Brothers Two.

Moore has worked in film and television production for the last 10 years and his last short film, Three Brothers Two, was screened at two dozen festivals in 14 countries and won numerous awards, including Best Irish Film at the Underground Cinema Awards in 2021.

It was shot in Mullingar, Killucan, Collinstown and Lough Lene on a budget of €1,000.

“I’m honoured to be directing the first project to be selected for the Westmeath Film Award,” said Craig. “The county has incredible untapped potential for filmmakers and I, along with my incredible production team from on Western Front Studios and my cast and crew, are massively excited for this shoot.

‘Further great things’

“My hope is that this leads to further great things not just for us, but for the scheme itself, paving the way for many other filmmakers to gain access to real support for their ideas and make them a reality. I want to extend a huge thank you to the Westmeath Arts Office for selecting our project.”

Westmeath arts officer Miriam Mulrennan said: “The Arts Office in Westmeath is delighted to present local filmmaker Craig Moore with the inaugural Westmeath Film Award. Craig’s highly original comedy script made him a standout applicant, and a deserving recipient of the grant.

“This is an opportune moment for film-making in the county, and we are hopeful that this award will empower local filmmakers to advance in their craft and career. Westmeath as a location also boasts rich landscapes, we are excited to see the county brought to life onscreen.”

Brian (cinematography) and Emer Durcan (producer) of Western Front Studios, added: “Western Front Studios are honoured to be chosen to produce the first ever Westmeath Film Bursary short film. Craig’s talent is really worth supporting and we were looking forward, and have enjoyed working with him and the local community.”

“The whole community got involved,” said producer Emer Durcan.

“O’Mearas Garden Centre provided the set dressing outside, Mulleadys Bins provided the bin lorry and local lorry driver Joe Conway was also involved.

“We’d like to thank Robert Donnelly, chair of Petitswood Manor Residents Association, for facilitating us, and homeowner John Shaw and his neighbour, where the filming took place.

“We had plenty of local people rowing in to help – Birmingham Motors, who gave us our parking space, Michael Leonard came and volunteered as traffic controller, Stephen Kelly, from Killucan, was involved in the crew. And of course, Miriam Mulrennan in Westmeath Arts Office has been fantastic. It’s been an amazing couple of days.”

Homeowner

Homeowner, John Shaw, who opened his doors to the cast and crew for filming, said it was an exciting project and he was happy to be a part of it.

“It all came about when I was taking the dog for a walk on a Sunday in early December. Emer (Durcan) and Craig (Moore) were talking to the neighbour, and we just got talking. They gave me the background on the film, and she asked if she could use the house for filming.

“I discussed it with my wife, and we went along with it because it’s good for the town, to promote the town itself as a filming venue, and especially with the new studio coming and that, it’s a good start,” he told the Westmeath Examiner.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product. It’s an interesting title, ‘Barry versus the Binman” – the last two days gives you an insight into the whole process. From the start right through to the end product, the number of people, the amount of effort involved, the set design – there’s a massive effort involved in that,” said John, who added that his son Matthew, and a number of TY students from St Mary’s CBS were involved in filming as extras.