Irish Film: Principal photography to begin on Maurice O’Carroll’s Dead Along The Way

Principal Photography is set to begin on Kerry film maker Maurice O’Carroll’s feature film Dead Along The Way tomorrow, Sunday September 6th. The film will be a first feature-length drama for the award-winning Kerry filmmaker Maurice, who is originally from Tralee and now lives in Laois. He has chosen a range of locations in Laois and Dublin for the film shoot.

The film is a gritty crime comedy and follows the antics of two wedding videographers who are desperately trying to hide a corpse before a wedding.

Maurice is producing alongside his wife Elaine and the filmmaking duo have once again teamed up with Sinéad O’Riordan of ORion Productions. They all previously worked together on Maurice’s short films, Coming Out and The Bible Basher. “

[quote title=”Maurice O’Carroll”]I first saw a self taped audition by Sinéad, back in 2012. I asked her to join the cast of Coming Out, not thinking she would, and from there we went onto to work on other projects together. It was obvious that we would all work on a feature-length film some day. We were hugely disappointed when we didn’t receive funds from the IFB to make my other feature film, The Good Sinner. Here I was surrounded by a pool of hugely talented and dedicated people, and had no funds to make it. Inspired by the  people around me, It occurred to me that I should write something that could be shot on an iPhone if needs be.[/quote]

The cast includes an impressive mix of established and emerging talent, including Game of Thrones actor Ciarán Bermingham, who played Mord in the phenomenally successful HBO series. It will also feature character actor Tom Lawlor, who is father of famed Love/Hate star Tom Vaughan Lawlor. Tom Snr also appeared in Love/Hate as a priest. Drogheda born Niall Murphy (Dracula Untold) will star in his first feature film, nabbing the leading role  of Whacker McGrath.

Other cast members in Dead Along The Way include Ben Condron, Donna Patrice, Kevin McCormack, Sinéad O’Riordan, Gail Brady, Jeff Doyle, Cora Fenton, Elaine Kennedy, Tara Downes, Zeb Moore, Gerard Lee, Paula Lee and John Magee.

O’Riordan has been very busy this year as this will be her second feature film in six months .

[quote title=”Sinéad O’Riordan]”I am so thrilled to be working on this with Maurice and Elaine. We have chatted about this and other projects for so long armed with the knowledge that we were not going to receive any money anytime soon. It was time to stop wasting time applying for funding and just pull in as many favors as possible and shoot this film. You can procrastinate forever. But sometimes all you need is a good idea, a talented team you trust and a go getter attitude. Those are the three ingredients that I feel is needed to create something special. I’ve applied similar principles in my theatre projects and film is no different. Oh and you have to respect those who help you. That is key.[/quote]

With only few days to go before principal photography begins, the three producers are working around the clock.

[quote title=”Maurice O’Carroll”]Elaine is building sets, negotiating with locations, sourcing costumes & making copious amounts of food. She is one in a million. Sinéad is concentrating on logistics, insurance, press, PR, contracts and also trying to learn her lines as she is also performing in this.! And I’m finishing up shot lists and making sure all the i’s are dotted etc.[/quote]

Maurice who has worked in the event filmmaking since 2005 and cut his teeth on live events, music, videos, commercial promos and brand stories would like to thank all of the community who are helping them make his dream a reality.

[quote title=”Maurice O’Carroll”]I am very excited to be shooting this in Laois and we have been very fortunate to have the local community here and indeed in Tralee, rally behind us and help us out. I have to especially thank Ballygarry House Hotel, Michelle De Forge at Dunamaise Art Centre, Anything Goes, Olly’s Pub, Big Mols, Centra in Mountrath, Ashes Pub Camp, Lynus Breen of Level Craft, Richard Flaherty, Colin Browne from Film Eqipment Hire and EilÍsh Abbott and Michael O’ Dwyer from Driftwood Doll Films. Without them and their generosity, we would not be making this film.[/quote]