A new Company

Apart from being a writer, I also run two newly formed businesses. 50LB Films was set up with three friends, Gemma Horan, Kuba Kolinski and Peter O'Dwyer. This is a TV and Film production company. If you follow the link to my web page you'll see some of our work. We have a great team of people who work with us and for free as we are currently unfunded and therefore have to work extra hard to bring in projects that will pay, not only us but the team of people who help bring our projects to life. 50LB Films is nearly a year old now and still working hard to be everything we can, as our company motto says- small enough to care, big enough to compete. We are currently working on a documentary and a feature film along with some promos for TV pitches and other projects.

The second business I have is also in the arts world and I have set this one up with Helen Dunne. Helen is a dance teacher and has worked for herself for a few years now and earlier this year worked with 50LB Films on a music video for The Whatmans.. The company we are setting up is called Dance Connect. This is the first of its kind in Ireland and will bring dancers to producers, production companies and to the theatres by allowing them to showcase their talents. Most dancers in Ireland who want to be professional have to leave the country to find both education and work. But as Helen pointed out to me, there's plenty for them here, its just not well advertised... So Dance Connect was born.

Setting up these companies is hard going and one thing I've learned is, well I've actually learned alot from doing this. One of the things is that nobody will do the work for you... Surprise! In the last year I have learned how to produce films, videos etc with no money. Learned how to do up business plans, marketing plans and how to pitch ideas to people. Its hard and not being a person to back down from a challenge I've worked my backside to make these come to life.

Late nights, early mornings and the will to succeed is all you need, oh and a little bit of luck. After the year I've started to make headway. TG4, an Irish TV station has showed an interest in two of 50LB Films Projects. Dingle is getting ready for our arrival in December to shoot a documentary down there. I can light at the end of the Dance Connect tunnel and most importantly, I've met some very interesting people along the way and I've started writing a new book and some new plays. So here's to 2011 and all that it'll bring.