Dreamers & Weepers - A new beginning

Ive wanted to make films since I was at least 12 years old. I started at 13 with a crappy cine camera. Everyday I ask myself the question...why has it taken so long to at last start doing it with serious intent? I don't bother answering. If I did, then I would truly be mad.But inside I know why and that is what keeps me going. Ive spent a year getting stuff out of my system,(bog standard horror) revisiting old ghosts (my contempories) and exorcising demons (anger at how things are done in Irish film) to reach where I am now. Im at the edge of something that's important to me. Something that will, at last propel me to where I want to be. I'm at the beginning.A true beginning. Despite DEADWEED and its lovingly crafted concept(but notoriously hurried production values) I now stand at the gate of reality. The rehearsals are over. DREAMERS & WEEPERS is the reality. A film that is totally disconnected from anything Ive ever shot with a camera. Night after night I carefully tend to it. Day after day, I plan its present and its future. Some aspiring filmmakers have had the benefit of filmbase, the film board, a college set up, pot loads of spare cash in the bank or even a multitude of professional contacts in the film industry. All Ive had is my own training, reasonable equipment and a bunch of enthusiastic people who share the dream. Its a harder slog and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But the fullfilment thats reached through energy and passion is electric. Ive never had the luxury of lots of lighting equipment or fancy lenses. (someday I'll gladly use them) Im often over ambitious as I like to feature as many set ups in a short film, as I can manage. Too often short films are stuck to one set because they are thought out that way. Yes it makes it easier to ramp up the production values on a small budget and light it like Ridley Scott or Jan de Bont, but I think it suffocates the art of story telling through filmmaking. Ive been agonising over this one for 6 months. Thats why I wanted to do this film. It tells a great story, has varied locations and is worth the extra set up pressure, even if we have to compromise on expense. I deliberately styled the film on the basis of story and budget/time/resource constraints.Everything has been tailored to circumstances. But it looks very good. Ive absolutely no doubt that this film will get lots of festival exposure next year. Its hard hitting yet sentimental. Its sad, yet angry. Best of all, its not perfect. This is a film made for a mainstream audience. People will relate to it.If it fails, I'll take full responsibility as I'm fighting for my filmmaking life on this film.

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