Page 139 - Gonzaga at 60
P. 139
Kevin Lynch (’76), who played
Thomas Becket in ‘Murder in the
Cathedral’, writes:
The play was a while ago but I still
remember it very well. I suppose the irst
thing I remember is my surprise and
delight at getting the part given that I
possibly wouldn’t have been among the
“in class” experts when the play was
being discussed for the Leaving. It was a
great boost to my self-conidence at the
time.
Putting the play on in the chapel was
a special experience. I will never forget
that, as I inished delivering Thomas’s From the age of eleven, I have wanted to make ilms. I got a hold of my
Christmas sermon and blessed myself, dad’s old video camera, previously desined for the bin, and made a ilm
I could see the irst three rows of the with friends from school. It was far from a masterpiece, but gave me a
audience (all that was visible under the greater understanding of the ilm-making process, a process that I am sill
lights) blessing themselves as well. eager to explore. The unique collaboraion of many diferent skills makes
“Gotcha”, I thought. ilm compelling for me. It is about solving pracical problems. There is no
Since then I have, on and off over the
years, done a mixture of amateur drama single correct answer; only creaive thinking will do.
In Transiion Year I began to pursue my interest, geing a work-
and musicals and worked in some semi- experience placement in Ardmore Studios. This cemented my interest.
professional productions, locally and in I worked in the producion oices, on the set and in the edit suite of
Cork.
I have competed in the inals of the producions like The Tudors. I was exposed to all aspects of ilm-making.
Amateur Drama competition in Athlone The following summer I spent a week in Channel 4 head oices in London,
gaining further insight into television as I performed day-to-day tasks
on three occasions with three different and sat in on edits for upcoming programmes in the creaive services
groups. department.
On the last occasion we inished
second with The Kings of the Kilburn Meanwhile I made my irst serious atempt at a short ilm. What If?
Highroad by Jimmy Murphy (wonderful was shot over weekends through the spring of 2008. Based on a short
play), beaten by one of the groups I story by Niall McDowell, a Gonzaga past pupil, it was lucky enough to be
selected for screening at the 15th Galway Youth Film Fleadh in November
had previously worked with. Just a little ’09.
embarrassing. My second ilm, enitled A Chance Encounter, was made over the
I have also had some principal roles
with the local musical society over the summer of 2009 with classmates who also have an interest in ilm. The
ilm gained recogniion at Ireland’s Young Film-Maker Awards in March
years. 2010, receiving the Highly Commended for Cinematography and Score
Kevin now farms in Fermoy, Co. Cork award.
My hope is to study Film and Spanish at Trinity, if all goes well this July.
David Cullinan
Class of 2010
Thomas Becket in ‘Murder in the
Cathedral’, writes:
The play was a while ago but I still
remember it very well. I suppose the irst
thing I remember is my surprise and
delight at getting the part given that I
possibly wouldn’t have been among the
“in class” experts when the play was
being discussed for the Leaving. It was a
great boost to my self-conidence at the
time.
Putting the play on in the chapel was
a special experience. I will never forget
that, as I inished delivering Thomas’s From the age of eleven, I have wanted to make ilms. I got a hold of my
Christmas sermon and blessed myself, dad’s old video camera, previously desined for the bin, and made a ilm
I could see the irst three rows of the with friends from school. It was far from a masterpiece, but gave me a
audience (all that was visible under the greater understanding of the ilm-making process, a process that I am sill
lights) blessing themselves as well. eager to explore. The unique collaboraion of many diferent skills makes
“Gotcha”, I thought. ilm compelling for me. It is about solving pracical problems. There is no
Since then I have, on and off over the
years, done a mixture of amateur drama single correct answer; only creaive thinking will do.
In Transiion Year I began to pursue my interest, geing a work-
and musicals and worked in some semi- experience placement in Ardmore Studios. This cemented my interest.
professional productions, locally and in I worked in the producion oices, on the set and in the edit suite of
Cork.
I have competed in the inals of the producions like The Tudors. I was exposed to all aspects of ilm-making.
Amateur Drama competition in Athlone The following summer I spent a week in Channel 4 head oices in London,
gaining further insight into television as I performed day-to-day tasks
on three occasions with three different and sat in on edits for upcoming programmes in the creaive services
groups. department.
On the last occasion we inished
second with The Kings of the Kilburn Meanwhile I made my irst serious atempt at a short ilm. What If?
Highroad by Jimmy Murphy (wonderful was shot over weekends through the spring of 2008. Based on a short
play), beaten by one of the groups I story by Niall McDowell, a Gonzaga past pupil, it was lucky enough to be
selected for screening at the 15th Galway Youth Film Fleadh in November
had previously worked with. Just a little ’09.
embarrassing. My second ilm, enitled A Chance Encounter, was made over the
I have also had some principal roles
with the local musical society over the summer of 2009 with classmates who also have an interest in ilm. The
ilm gained recogniion at Ireland’s Young Film-Maker Awards in March
years. 2010, receiving the Highly Commended for Cinematography and Score
Kevin now farms in Fermoy, Co. Cork award.
My hope is to study Film and Spanish at Trinity, if all goes well this July.
David Cullinan
Class of 2010
