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June 11, 2005

15 MINUTES

Summary: How far would you go for fame? For Stanley Parker, a failed ventriloquist, the answer to that question involves a gun, some hostages and the presenter of the world’s longest running talk show. Obsessed with becoming a celebrity Stanley takes over a small rural cinema and demands an appearance on The Late, Late Show but things aren’t going to be that simple when the local bumbling Guards turn up.

Project Beginnings: After working on countless small video projects I was eager to take a stab at producing an independent short-film. When I went to study Journalism in Rathmines College I met Leo Corrigan, a screenwriter who had already written several short-film scripts and TV pilots. At the end of our first year in the course, I went to Corrigan with the most flimsy of plot outlines ever known to man. “It’s about a guy who try’s to hold up a local store but it all goes horribly wrong.” Corrigan took this one simple idea and turned it into a deliciously black comedy script. I immediately set about bringing together the cast and crew who would do justice to the script a mere two months later.

Crew:

[Producer/Director] Liam Geraghty
See the “About Geraghty” section on this website to read about Liam Geraghty.

[Co-director] Paddy Melia
Paddy Melia is one of the most successful theatre producers to come out of Kildare. His shows are regularly booked out which is a testament to the quality of his productions. He has won numerous theatrical awards for Best Show and Best Director.

[Screenwriter] Leo Corrigan
Leo Corrigan has written several short-films and TV pilots. He has studied film and journalism.

[Editor] Steve Neville
Steve is an immensely talented editor who has worked on several award winning shorts. He also worked on Cartoon Network’s popular new show “Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends.” He currently works for TV3.

[Music] Leigh O’ Gorman
Leigh O’Gorman was the composer of the music for 15 MINUTES. He is the man behind LUBE: PROJECT X who perform their unique sound regularly in Dublin venues.

Cast:

Ross McMahon [Stanley Parker]
Ross McMahon is one of Kildare Youth Theatre’s most talented young actors with a natural talent for comedy.

Mick Malone [Taxi driver]
Mick took on the hilarious cameo role as the taxi driver suffering from piles. Mick is a well known figure in Newbridge pantomimes.

Paddy Melia [Cinema Owner]
Short of an actor to play the part of the cinema owner, co-director Paddy Melia stepped enthusiastically into the role bringing his natural eccentricity to the role.

Laura McGann [Emily]
Laura McGann is media student in Ballyfermott Senior College. She has performed in a numerous Kildare Youth Theatre productions. Her first play “When Angels Meet” recently debuted to a full house in the Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge.

Mary Hogan [Old lady]
Mary Hogan is a member of the hugely successful Newbridge Drama Group.

Des Garrett [Sgt.]
Des Garrett has been involved in theatre for years. He’s involved in acting, directing and teaching acting workshops. He performed in The Melting Pot’s immensely successful production of “BOUNCERS.”

Hugh McKinley [Guard]
Hugh McGinley has performed with several theatre companies over the years and has also been involved with facilitating youth theatre.

Pam Quinlivan [Stanley’s Mother]
Pam has been involved with numerous local productions.

John Bowdren [Ray Byrne]
John Bowdren is a hugely talented actor in amateur theatrics. He has recently toured the country performing in the award-winning “Kings of the Kilburn Highroad” directed by 15 MINUTES co-director Paddy Melia. John also recently won Best Actor for his performance in the “Kings of the Kilburn Highroad.”

Liz Garrett [Psychiatrist]
Liz has been involved in theatre for years performing in numerous productions.

Paul Winters [Voice of the dummy]
Liverpool legend Paul Winters provided the voice for the ventriloquists dummy. Paul has a wealth of experience in theatrical production in the UK and Ireland. He directed the Without Further Ado Theatre Company’s hugely successful production of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (in which Liam played an semi-naked Italian gigolo!). He is currently the technical manager in the Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge.

Aftermath: 15 Minutes premiered to a full house in the Riverbank Theatre, Newbridge, Co,. Kildare. The short has been screened numerous times in Kildare and Dublin.

Posted by LiamG at June 11, 2005 01:37 AM