We, a small, local filmmaking group operating in Wicklow - the "Hollywood of Ireland", were shooting a short film on a pier in early April.
It was an experimental short, mainly crewed by recent graduates and students. It was going to go to a few local festivals, maybe, and then straight onto YouTube. It was not going to be a career-making film for anyone involved.
And then...
Social Media happened.
A post on Instagram caught the attention of the local Town Committee. The local town committee became really rather interested in what we were doing, and then all of a sudden, we had press on set. Then, all of a sudden, we were invited to the local venue to discuss whether we would show the film there when it was done. We hadn't even finished filming at that point.
And then, all of a sudden, the county council gave us a grant for... a festival.
We were asked to showcase not only our own film, but films of this calibre... films that had been made locally, films that were telling local stories.
Wicklow is famed as a movie set. "The Last Duel" was filmed here, as was "Disenchanted", as was "Normal People", as was "The Green Knight", as was "Vikings: Valhalla" as are so, so, so many others. But what locals are starting to notice is that... those are all great stories, utilising our beautiful county... but they are never stories about US. The people who live here. The people in that background.
So on Saturday, we played not only our film, but several other films to a completely sold out house. We were able to speak on the radio, had been featured in local press for months, and were able to showcase our work (and the work of lots of other filmmakers) to industry people - among them a reviewer for a big international film festival.
We were also able to launch our fundraising campaign for next year's film (and festival) to thundering applause.
The point of this?
You might not make a film that is going to the Oscars straight away. But chances are... your community is ready to rally behind you. Frustrated because nothing is happening where you are? Make it happen.
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Ronika Merl - I love this story, not only did you make it happen, you developed a creative eco-system in your hometown that uplifts and supports each other. Congratulations on your success!!
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Bravo!!
Fantastic, super story. Ireland is so beautiful. Some of the beaches on W Irish shores are as stunning as a Caribbean one.
Ronika Merl!! I am so happy for you. I still remember uncovering you when you got your script optioned through Stage 32 almost immediately after you joined the community. I'm so thrilled for you and super proud of you!