ARTS: Two short films in production in Tipperary

Writer Beverley Penn, Producer Ashlee De Costa and Director Lorna Fitzsimons are filming their short film, Bog, a dark fairy tale about two women, generations apart, finding common ground in the wild and all-consuming beauty of Littleton Bog.

Writer Beverley Penn said:

“I was thrilled to be supported by the Engine Shorts Scheme. I want to show the Irish bog in all its guises and am delighted with the chance to do that.”

Director Lorna Fitzsimons said:

“Delighted to be selected for Engine Shorts and to be telling a story of the Tipperary Bog. Myself and Beverley met in The Source Arts Centre and we found a connection over our deep love of this land, from which our dark fairy tale emerged.”

Also in production in Tipperary are writer Roseanna Purcell, producer Pius McGrath and director Tara Doolin, who have teamed up to make their short, Heart of Stone, which will be filmed in and around the Clonmel area.

Heart of Stone tells the story of Mairead, who has never asked anyone for anything, nor does she want to. Now, under orders from her father, she must reach out to someone for the first time, for the last thing they would ever expect.

Writer Roseanna Purcell said:

“It’s a huge honour to be commissioned by Engine with my first venture in screenwriting.

“I’ve always been passionate about telling stories that bring those in the shadows of society to the fore while showcasing modern rural life in Tipperary in a unique and truthful way, and I feel very lucky that Heart Of Stone has such a brilliant team to bring this vision together.”

Director Tara Doolan said: “Roseanna’s script immediately caught my attention on my first read.

“It is a privilege to be working with her and Pius to bring this short film to life.

“I share Roseanna’s passion for telling stories about a modern rural Ireland and the people who inhabit it, particularly those who are not typically represented.

“Heart of Stone does just that through this quirky and heart-wrenching story.”