Post by gracey on Sept 26, 2004 21:52:11 GMT -5
Life back to normal as film credits roll
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Life in the locality returned to normal this week after a fortnight of excitement while filming for Neil Jordan’s movie Breakfast on Pluto went on throughout various parts of the town.
The movie created a terrific buzz and was of great benefit to the economy of the town. The film, which is already being predicted for big things, will be shown at the prestigious Cann film festival. According to the finance director Gerry Organ, it will exceed all expectations.
Each day of filming brought more people to the streets to view the proceedings. By end of week two all were used to the common movie-making phrases of ‘Rolling’, ‘Cut’ and ‘That’s a Take’. Hurling wasn’t the subject leading up to the All-Ireland and after the match the disappointment was quickly forgotten. There was so much excitement, with people relating stories of who saw what and when that meal times were forgotten for fear of people missing the filming.
Many parts of the town were transformed back in time, from the 1950s all the way through to the 1970s. Rita Roche’s boutique was turned into a dairy, while other shopfronts such as Pearls Chinese Restaurant, Harrington Bookmakers and Chips & Co takeaway were also transformed.
Mrs Margaret Fennelly’s premises on Bridge Street, along with the parish church, became the focal points of the movie. Margaret’s pub and outhouses were transformed into ‘Ma’ Braden’s pub and house. ‘Ma’ Braden is one of the main characters in the movie, where the story of Patrick ‘Fanny’ Murphy played by Cillian Murphy begins.
Cillian Murphy and Liam Neeson were the big attraction throughout, with everyone getting plenty of opportunity to get glimpses of them. Many locals were also picked as extras for the movie and although there were many hours of waiting for particular shoots, the opinion was that it was great fun.
There were many highlights throughout the duration of filming. The first evening at the graveyard at Tullamaine was memorable, while hundreds gathered on Green Street and Mill Street for the car bomb scene on Wednesday.
It proved a long wait – some people arrived at 10am, but it wasn’t until 3.30pm that the ‘bomb’ went off. When it came it received a huge round of applause from the watching audience which drew a wry smile from director Neil Jordon.
The best scene was when the parish church was set ‘on fire’ on Thursday. On a cold but dry night, people watched in awe as flames shot from the top of the church and doors.
The film, if nothing else, provided people with an opportunity to meet and chat as they watched proceedings. Much like the visit of the Ivory Coast last year for the Special Olympics, the film has created a feel-good factor in the town and renewed the sense of community.
The film crew were delighted with the welcome they received from the townspeople and made many friends. They have promised to return to Callan in the near future to thank the people of the town and for a big party.
www.kilkennypeople.ie/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Newspaper/Article&pid=1008171408374&cid=1094808321614
I want to be at that party!
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Life in the locality returned to normal this week after a fortnight of excitement while filming for Neil Jordan’s movie Breakfast on Pluto went on throughout various parts of the town.
The movie created a terrific buzz and was of great benefit to the economy of the town. The film, which is already being predicted for big things, will be shown at the prestigious Cann film festival. According to the finance director Gerry Organ, it will exceed all expectations.
Each day of filming brought more people to the streets to view the proceedings. By end of week two all were used to the common movie-making phrases of ‘Rolling’, ‘Cut’ and ‘That’s a Take’. Hurling wasn’t the subject leading up to the All-Ireland and after the match the disappointment was quickly forgotten. There was so much excitement, with people relating stories of who saw what and when that meal times were forgotten for fear of people missing the filming.
Many parts of the town were transformed back in time, from the 1950s all the way through to the 1970s. Rita Roche’s boutique was turned into a dairy, while other shopfronts such as Pearls Chinese Restaurant, Harrington Bookmakers and Chips & Co takeaway were also transformed.
Mrs Margaret Fennelly’s premises on Bridge Street, along with the parish church, became the focal points of the movie. Margaret’s pub and outhouses were transformed into ‘Ma’ Braden’s pub and house. ‘Ma’ Braden is one of the main characters in the movie, where the story of Patrick ‘Fanny’ Murphy played by Cillian Murphy begins.
Cillian Murphy and Liam Neeson were the big attraction throughout, with everyone getting plenty of opportunity to get glimpses of them. Many locals were also picked as extras for the movie and although there were many hours of waiting for particular shoots, the opinion was that it was great fun.
There were many highlights throughout the duration of filming. The first evening at the graveyard at Tullamaine was memorable, while hundreds gathered on Green Street and Mill Street for the car bomb scene on Wednesday.
It proved a long wait – some people arrived at 10am, but it wasn’t until 3.30pm that the ‘bomb’ went off. When it came it received a huge round of applause from the watching audience which drew a wry smile from director Neil Jordon.
The best scene was when the parish church was set ‘on fire’ on Thursday. On a cold but dry night, people watched in awe as flames shot from the top of the church and doors.
The film, if nothing else, provided people with an opportunity to meet and chat as they watched proceedings. Much like the visit of the Ivory Coast last year for the Special Olympics, the film has created a feel-good factor in the town and renewed the sense of community.
The film crew were delighted with the welcome they received from the townspeople and made many friends. They have promised to return to Callan in the near future to thank the people of the town and for a big party.
www.kilkennypeople.ie/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Newspaper/Article&pid=1008171408374&cid=1094808321614
I want to be at that party!
