Television Documentary
Television documentaries are a very different beast to feature documentaries. The requirements of a television hour place different challenges in your path; it requires a more formatted thinking to make sure that the rise and fall of the story happens in harmony with the sweep of the clock in the viewers’ homes. At this point in my career I have edited literally hundreds of documentaries for television, in English and Irish, and occasionally Welsh and Scots Gaelic, at home and abroad. History, sports, music; whatever the genre I’m always up for the challenge.
If you have a story that needs telling and you need a passionate and experienced editor then get in touch; let’s work together.
The Dead Zoo
The Dead Zoo; Dublin’s beloved Natural History Museum. In 2020 the roof was in need of urgent repair, and so began the Herculean task of clearing out the exhibits in preparation for the renovations. The biggest task lay in the removal of two whale skeletons suspended from the ceiling since the late nineteenth century. This documentary followed the team as they went about this mammoth task.
In the opinion of the censor
In The Opinion of the Censor tells the story of the Censorship of Films Act 1923 and how one canny term in that statute has allowed consecutive holders of the role of Film Censor to reflect the prevailing values of Irish society over the last 100 years. The Act declared that all films publicly distributed in Ireland must be viewed by the Censor of the day, who was given the power to ban or cut them if in the opinion of the Censor they were indecent, obscene, blasphemous or contrary to public morality. The documentary illustrates how each consecutive Censor was able to apply this pithy phrase to (subjectively) determine their decisions, and in doing so, play a part in charting the social, political and cultural evolution of the State itself.
The Siege/An Léigear
In 1922 the occupation and subsequent siege of the Four Courts in Dublin led to the bloody conflict that was the Irish Civil War. This documentary explores the days leading up to the bombardment of the building by the Free State troops and the resulting descent into bloodshed that still echoes through Irish society today. The use of letters, memoirs and official documents bring both sides of the conflict to life in this hour long film. Part two in a Civil War trilogy it was made for TG4 by d4 Films and Fastnet Films.
“An Léigear is a superb and vivid documentary that conveys its dramatic subject-matter with a rare immediacy. The testimonies are recounted over a stunning assemblage of contemporary images, including some extraordinary footage of the immediate aftermath of the destruction of the Four Courts.” - History Ireland
In Sunshine or In Shadow
In Sunshine or In Shadow tells the story of the world title fight between defending champion Eusebio Pedroza and challenger Barry McGuigan in 1985. More than a sports documentary, it sets out the social context to Barry McGuigan’s rise and gives an insight to how the ordinary people of Northern Ireland experienced The Troubles. Featuring previously unseen archive as well as interviews with all the main characters this documentary has screened at festivals worldwide.
Winner, IFTA award for best sports documentary 2011
Camera, Tripod, Bicycle
Camera Tripod Bicycle is a heartfelt documentary that honors the work of Dubliner and fireman Leslie Crowe, who meticulously captured life in Dublin on his 8mm Brownie camera from the late 1950s to the late 1970s. Through his films, Crowe documented the transformation of Dublin, showcasing the demolition of old structures and the rise of new suburbs like Coolock, Raheny, and Santry. Featuring insights from historians and Crowe's daughters, the film offers a unique glimpse into Irish family life and urban development across three pivotal decades.
A Bloody Canvas/Troid Fhuilteach
Three unrelated events - a civil war, a black heavyweight champion without a challenger and a journeyman Irish fighter down on his luck - conspire to produce the most bizarre world championship fight in boxing history, on St. Patrick's Day 1923, in Dublin City
Winner of the IFTA award for Best Sports Film 2009