Your Story
Mo O’Connell | Filmmaker
Producer >>Watch video>>
Lambing was the first film I produced through funders. I usually used to just produce for myself but this was for another filmmaker, Katie McNeice. She’s brilliant.
I’d just set up my own production company “3 Hot Whiskeys”. You kind of doubt yourself, “What if I can’t do this?” I was afraid I’d get all the paperwork wrong. It was really stressful, but I took it in bitesize little pieces and reached out for help to other producers. That’s what helped me. Paudie and Mags at Escape Pod Media were really helpful!
At the very beginning of the production, myself and Katie gave a small speech. I know it sounds really pompous but it’s not really. It’s really just about thanking everyone and giving them an idea of how the shoot will go.
€12k, €15k is not enough to properly fund something unless you’re making it in one place with one actor. So, we also thanked people for taking less than they normally would. Lambing is a film about people who are underrepresented, who don’t have proper human rights. Lots of people say they support people from minorities, but it’s a different thing to walk the walk so we basically told everyone ‘You’re walking the walk!’ and thanked them sincerely. From there, that energy was brought onto set and we just asked people to be patient and kind with each other and then it all worked. It was all lovely. I was scared to do a bit of a speech but it was nice to show everyone that as the producer I feel vulnerable and I care about the film and I care about everyone involved. People really respond to that honesty and respect it. It’s just about leadership.
There have been a few difficult challenges along the way for sure! It is hard to talk about these challenges without being really specific. So, I’ll try to keep it general!!!
Choose the right people to work with. If you have any niggling feeling that someone is not a ‘right fit’ for you or the project- do not work with them. Trust your gut! I have often made that mistake: not trusting my very strong instinct. Please try not to make that same mistake yourself!!!
Self-Control is good but always speak your mind. So long as you are polite and controlled, say what you have to say- always! And make sure you are heard.
Always listen to others and always check your ego. Practice humility.
It can be really tricky working with someone who does not have as much experience as you and they are not listening to you. Quite simply, their ego is too big. But it is negatively affecting their capacity to learn and gain good connections. So, be really careful when working with those who have more experience than you- be sure to listen to them! They are likely trying to help you make a better film!!!
Galway Film Fleadh >>Watch video>>
I had two shorts in the Galway Film Fleadh: one I directed called Bruise and Lambing, which I spoke about earlier, directed by Katie McNeice.
I made a short with Kerry County Council funding called Haven, but I hadn’t finished it properly by the time the deadline for Galway’s festival came along. I kinda felt bad about that so I put the feature version of Haven forward for the pitching competition at the festival where you submit a 500-word written pitch for your film. I got shortlisted for that and then I became extremely terrified because I had to pitch in person to a panel of judges and a live audience. That was against nine other people and in front of the whole industry. I miraculously won that which was bananas. The short version of Haven hasn’t screened anywhere yet but now we’re on the road to making the feature film so I’m quite busy with that. We’re trying to capitalise on all the connections with the festival and people wanting to know more about the film. Myself and the other writers Ivan Cush and Rehan Ali are working on that at the moment.
What’s next
I’m working on another film I shot in July of last year called Lived, Loved, Laughed, Left. That is an indie film + I’m working on a feature with Gemma Creagh. We were part of the Spotlight new writers thing in Screen Ireland. That’s called Fair Game. It’s based on a short I made called Girls which looks at young female violence. We have written that into a feature now along with Screen Ireland so we’re getting it ready to go for more Screen Ireland funding.
I’m producing three shorts simultaneously. I want to direct another one around this area where I live in the Liberties.
I have a horror I’m wanting to develop and a comedy that I’m developing at the moment too + there’s a short that I want to make about a heroin addict as well.
I run the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival as well so I have to watch all the films for that. I’ve watched a good many already and judging as I go along. We’re getting the schedule ready for that, which will be our first physical in-person festival. We’ve had two online so far. That happens in December.
Remember, if you’re a member of the Irish creative industry, Minding Creative Minds offers life coaching and career advice free of charge. Our mentorship programme opens in the coming months so keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
We also have a team of counsellors/psychotherapists on-hand to support you emotionally at any time of the day or night + we can support you with practical and financial advice too. Simply call the phone number below.
Producer >>Watch video>>
Lambing was the first film I produced through funders. I usually used to just produce for myself but this was for another filmmaker, Katie McNeice. She’s brilliant.
I’d just set up my own production company “3 Hot Whiskeys”. You kind of doubt yourself, “What if I can’t do this?” I was afraid I’d get all the paperwork wrong. It was really stressful, but I took it in bitesize little pieces and reached out for help to other producers. That’s what helped me. Paudie and Mags at Escape Pod Media were really helpful!
At the very beginning of the production, myself and Katie gave a small speech. I know it sounds really pompous but it’s not really. It’s really just about thanking everyone and giving them an idea of how the shoot will go.
€12k, €15k is not enough to properly fund something unless you’re making it in one place with one actor. So, we also thanked people for taking less than they normally would. Lambing is a film about people who are underrepresented, who don’t have proper human rights. Lots of people say they support people from minorities, but it’s a different thing to walk the walk so we basically told everyone ‘You’re walking the walk!’ and thanked them sincerely. From there, that energy was brought onto set and we just asked people to be patient and kind with each other and then it all worked. It was all lovely. I was scared to do a bit of a speech but it was nice to show everyone that as the producer I feel vulnerable and I care about the film and I care about everyone involved. People really respond to that honesty and respect it. It’s just about leadership.
There have been a few difficult challenges along the way for sure! It is hard to talk about these challenges without being really specific. So, I’ll try to keep it general!!!
Choose the right people to work with. If you have any niggling feeling that someone is not a ‘right fit’ for you or the project- do not work with them. Trust your gut! I have often made that mistake: not trusting my very strong instinct. Please try not to make that same mistake yourself!!!
Self-Control is good but always speak your mind. So long as you are polite and controlled, say what you have to say- always! And make sure you are heard.
Always listen to others and always check your ego. Practice humility.
It can be really tricky working with someone who does not have as much experience as you and they are not listening to you. Quite simply, their ego is too big. But it is negatively affecting their capacity to learn and gain good connections. So, be really careful when working with those who have more experience than you- be sure to listen to them! They are likely trying to help you make a better film!!!
Galway Film Fleadh >>Watch video>>
I had two shorts in the Galway Film Fleadh: one I directed called Bruise and Lambing, which I spoke about earlier, directed by Katie McNeice.
I made a short with Kerry County Council funding called Haven, but I hadn’t finished it properly by the time the deadline for Galway’s festival came along. I kinda felt bad about that so I put the feature version of Haven forward for the pitching competition at the festival where you submit a 500-word written pitch for your film. I got shortlisted for that and then I became extremely terrified because I had to pitch in person to a panel of judges and a live audience. That was against nine other people and in front of the whole industry. I miraculously won that which was bananas. The short version of Haven hasn’t screened anywhere yet but now we’re on the road to making the feature film so I’m quite busy with that. We’re trying to capitalise on all the connections with the festival and people wanting to know more about the film. Myself and the other writers Ivan Cush and Rehan Ali are working on that at the moment.
What’s next
I’m working on another film I shot in July of last year called Lived, Loved, Laughed, Left. That is an indie film + I’m working on a feature with Gemma Creagh. We were part of the Spotlight new writers thing in Screen Ireland. That’s called Fair Game. It’s based on a short I made called Girls which looks at young female violence. We have written that into a feature now along with Screen Ireland so we’re getting it ready to go for more Screen Ireland funding.
I’m producing three shorts simultaneously. I want to direct another one around this area where I live in the Liberties.
I have a horror I’m wanting to develop and a comedy that I’m developing at the moment too + there’s a short that I want to make about a heroin addict as well.
I run the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival as well so I have to watch all the films for that. I’ve watched a good many already and judging as I go along. We’re getting the schedule ready for that, which will be our first physical in-person festival. We’ve had two online so far. That happens in December.
Remember, if you’re a member of the Irish creative industry, Minding Creative Minds offers life coaching and career advice free of charge. Our mentorship programme opens in the coming months so keep an eye on our social media channels for updates.
We also have a team of counsellors/psychotherapists on-hand to support you emotionally at any time of the day or night + we can support you with practical and financial advice too. Simply call the phone number below.