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The Armed Eye
Film Company is an independent film and theatre production
company established by me, Ger Carey, in 1998. I first got
interested in the art of acting while studying for my degree
in Information Systems at Leeds Metropolitan University. I
am fascinated by how the mind works, how it processes
information and how the suspension of disbelief works.
After graduating
Leeds University in 1990 I studied stage acting for two
years at The Bradford Playhouse and went on to become a
professional artist. In 1995 I undertook a Post-graduate
Diploma in Independent Film Production at The National
University of Wales in Cardiff. On graduation in 1996 I
spent 1997 working in the Independent Film Sector in
Cardiff before returning to Ireland in 1998.
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In 1998 I Produced
the Armed Eye's first film, "59". The 20 minute film featured
Eamon Morrissey, Joe Neal and Cerris Jones. The film tells the
story of two farmers who try to sell an antique while at the
same time keep the dark secret of how they came to possess the
item. The film was written and directed by myself and was
broadcast on RTE1 in 1999. |
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Above Left: Cameraman Philip Cowan shooting an over the
shoulder shot. ("59",1998)
Left:
Eamon Morrissey ("59", 1998)
Right: Cast and Crew on location in Kerry
("59", 1998) |
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My
experiences of trying to produce any film in this country has
taught me one thing, if nothing else. The national funding
organisations (Film Board, Arts Council, etc) are hopeless.
There is only one way to succeed in Film in Ireland. DO IT
YOURSELF!!! |
In 1999 I shot my
first 35mmm film in Carlow, funded solely by The Armed Eye. The budget
was a combination of loans, income from outside work and school
workshops. The film was called "October 98" and told the story of
Stephen (Jack Lukeman), a young man returning from economic exile in
London to bury his younger brother. Set during the 1798 commemorations
in Carlow in 1998, the story revolves around Stephen's anger with modern
Ireland which he blames for his brother's suicide. Both he and the town
drunk ( Gerry O'Brien) decide to take over the local museum in protest,
holding a valuable Ming Vase hostage.
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Top Left:
Stephen and the Drunk hatch their plan
Top: Stephen
with "hostage"
Top Right:
Stephen and Drunk on the steps of the museum
Left: Ariel
shot of cast and crew at work
Right:
Sound Crew set up for a shot
Below:
Camera crew "pose" by Camera. |
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Shooting "October 98" broke
the bank. It left us thousands in debt but it was worth every penny. In
2003 we cleared all debts associated with the production. We hope to
begin editing the film for release this summer. In the meantime we have
grown as a company. We now undertake hundreds of school workshops every
year, have two one man shows touring, and are in preproduction with our
next three films, "Framed: The Movie", "Evolution" and "Flatland".
And best of all? we are
fully independent. If you are interested in investing in our productions
then we thank you for your interest but we do everything ourselves. And
if you are the Irish Film Board, we have no desire to join your
pretentious clique, thanks all the same.
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