Tag Archives: 1916 Easter Rising

Colin as Sean MacDiarmada

Once again we are drawn into the essence of Colin’s character in this wonderful manip by cathaloreagan.  It’s good to know Kevin McCann is still pursuing his dream … which is becoming ours, as well.

We are grateful to learn that the actors understand how difficult this is and all remain on board to get it done.  In the meantime, Mr. McCann continues with his work … the slow, tedious, committed work to keep the dream alive.  We recently received a letter from Kickstarter, which many of you also received.  He has come to Los Angeles to seek funds via a traditional movie manner in the US.  He will be continuing positive finance discussions which began there last year.  He says, “There are a number of production companies, producers and financial institutions who have read the script and want to be involved in the movie – so the pieces are finally fitting together. “  (Could this be the American interest Colin spoke of earlier?)

McCann writes in the letter, dated March 25, 2017: “Here is a link to recent article of an interview with an Irish newspaper detailing some of the experiences we have had in developing the movie:  http://www.anglocelt.ie/entertainment/roundup/articles/2017/03/24/4137275-director-remains-upbeat-about-macdiarmada-biopic/  “

We are ever hopeful that this film will continue on the path to its realization.

(image credit: Manip by cathaloreagan  https://twitter.com/cathaloreagan/status/840209670413402112 )

“Waiting for You” and “The Rising”

clock.1It takes a long time and many ups and downs to bring a film project to completion … to have it polished and ready to be shown in theatres for us to enjoy. You will have already noted that 2014 was the target date to begin filming, “Waiting For You”.  So, by time of the 2014 announcement much of the initial work was already done and filming was “coming soon”.  By contrast, in that same year, “The Rising” was in only the initial stages of the process.  An early announcement in July 2014 proclaimed the anticipated schedule.

“Waiting for You” is now complete and ready for distribution.  It’s 2017 entry in film festivals has been announced and the search for a distributor has begun.  More steps are left before launching a release date … 6+ years in and not quite there yet.  Almost 2 years since casting was confirmed.

France 24 February 2017 (British Screens Festival, Nimes)
France 24 February 2017 (Festival Ecrans Britanniques: British Screen)
UK 3 March 2017 (Borderlines Film Festival)

             And look what it took to get this far ...

wfy-schedule

“The Rising” has gathered much, not all, of its funding, sorted locations, and announced some casting.  More steps lie ahead on its way to reaching us.

the-rising-script-read-3 the-rising-script-read-2 (October 16, 2016: Irish Embassy in London for script reading of ‘‘ ) (Thanks to and

Many films tread a long and difficult road from conception to inception to completion.  There are many steps: finding the story, writing the screen play, finding funding, finding locations, producing artwork, then on to casting and shooting, followed by post production editing, finalizing, and finding a distributor.  We are the happy recipients at the end of this journey to enjoy and savor the fruits of many talented people.  We need patience, and we applaud them all.

Suntse

Colin, Colin, Colin

Don’t look away for a moment, don’t turn back, when we get up from our naps, look what has happened!!

Paul Ashton, Waiting for You, new stills, making progress toward release date.

Sep 22
Shooting has commenced on Rupert Everett’s Oscar Wilde drama with Colin Firth & Colin Morgan

it was a pleasure to welcome the cast of The Rising to . Film expected to be released in 2017.

the-rising-2017

We continue to be amazed by this tireless man whose thirst for ‘what’s next’ can lead to exhaustion … not His, so much as Ours!    🙂  🙂  ❤

The Rising … a longer wait

*

The Rising.1  Anticipated all-star movie about 1916 Easter Rising won’t be released until 2017 at the earliest

March 21, 2016 ,  By  James Cropper and Katy Harrington  … (excerpts follow:)

The film, entitled The Rising, has been in development since 2012 and will not be released until late 2017, or possibly later.  The film will focus on Séan MacDiarmada’s role in the 1916 Easter Rising. Mac Diarmada was one of the Rising’s masterminds, and one of the seven signatories of the Irish Proclamation.   The Irish Post has learned that now filming will not begin until late this year at the earliest, meaning it could be 2018 before fans will get to see the finished product*.  The project is being supported by Northern Ireland Screen and the Irish Film Board.

The casting of the film has attracted much attention so far with big names such as Colin Morgan, star of the BBC’s Merlin confirmed to play the lead role of Séan MacDiarmada.

Two major roles have yet to be cast. One is that of lead female character Min Ryan who conducted courier duties during the Rising.  Min Ryan was the partner of Séan MacDiarmada;  MacDiarmada wrote in a letter before his execution that “Miss Ryan, had I lived, would have been my wife”.

* (Keeping in mind some other independent films we have featured, this does not seem to be an uncommon hurdle for independent film makers to encounter.)

 

A Letter from Kevin McCann

This morning, we and many other supporters of The Rising, received this encouraging letter from Kevin McCann. Selected Quotes follow, but first let us say that this in every way meets our expectations, and we believe this decision to be quite a wise one. Mr. McCann has our appreciation for his well-thought out process in advancing this film to its final conclusion.

11888544_886933971401129_7848684937711541886_o

Before an official announcement is made on social media, I would like to first update all of you, our kickstarter supporters and on behalf of our team, express our gratitude for your kindness and patience.

Having consulted with film industry peers, it is unanimously accepted that WHEN the film is released is less important than HOW the film is made.
A well-produced film with an all-star cast released in late 2016 or 2017 stands a better chance of achieving our goal than a lower budget film released in 2016. Our financiers are also enthused that ‘The Rising’ is now the only motion picture about the rebellion still in the works and backs this course of action. The market will hear all about the 1916 rebellion during the forthcoming centenary year.
Also, we are advised to wait until certain actors are attached in the roles of Tom Clarke (mentor to Seán) and Máirín Ryan (female lead) Once these are cast, our budget and scale of the film will be finalised.

All in all, this means that we must wait longer before we can begin production – likely towards the end of 2016. All the attached actors and production partners are supportive of this postponement and agree that it will make for a better movie in the end. The story of Seán MacDiarmada and the heroes of 1916 will be told in a great movie that we can enjoy for many years to come.

All good wishes

Kevin McCann
Producer
THE RISING

 

We’re Goin’ !!!!!

11888544_886933971401129_7848684937711541886_o

Can we be more excited ??  NO, we cannot !!

Actors soon preparing to travel for January-February filming.  All the preparation, the funding drive, the casting, the location scouting, all the pieces now fitting together.  Our long-awaited McCann project is on it’s way.  And Thank You, Mr. McCann for your persistence and dedication!

Grace, sung by Anthony Kearns

GraceGrace Gifford married her love Joseph Mary Plunkett, hours before he was executed by firing-squad.  Joseph had been sentenced as one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising.  This is the story of their last moments together, memorialized in a beautiful Irish ballad.

GRACE:

As we gather in the chapel here in old Kilmainham Jail
I think about these past few weeks, oh will they say we’ve failed
From our schooldays they have told us we must yearn for liberty
Yet all I want in this dark place is to have you here with me.

CHORUS
Oh Grace just hold me in your arms and let this moment linger
They’ll take me out at dawn and I will die
With all my love I’ll place this wedding ring upon your finger
There won’t be time to share our love for we must say goodbye.

Now I know it’s hard for you my love to ever understand
The love I bear for these brave men, the love for my dear land
But when Padhraic called me to his side down in the GPO
I had to leave my own sick bed, to him I had to go CHORUS

Now as the dawn is breaking, my heart is breaking too,
On this May morn as I walk out my thoughts will be of you
And I’ll write some words upon the wall so everyone will know
I love so much that I could see his blood upon the rose. CHORUS

An interesting comparison ..

Sep 12

The resemblance between & is uncanny indeed!

 It would be interesting to know where this photo of the young Sean was found.  Any detectives out there who can help with this?  Either way, it is certainly an interesting comparison.  🙂