About The Films
Amongst Inspiration is a series of HD mini-films featuring top Irish creatives on inspiration. The idea came from James Cooper, an Australian creative based in Dublin.
Having met and been inspired by a number of talented Dublin creatives working across all disciplines in Ireland's capital, James decided to create a series of films celebrating these creatives, their talent and take on inspiration.
So far the films feature Illustrator Chris Judge, U2 Art Director Steve Averill, Photographer Clíona O'Flaherty, artist Paul Hughes and arts & crafter Mick Minogue.
James recently spoke at OFFSET 2012 and said about the films:
"As a creative working within Europe, I was experiencing a lot of this 'No' mentality going on around me. Probably like many of you do too. The 'No' generally comes from fear, especially given the times we live in. 'Nos' don't really interest me. 'Nos' are the enemy of creation, of just simply making a mark. I was aware in the back of my mind that I had met a number of really inspiring creatives since landing in Ireland in late 2009, who were all very much 'Yes' creatives. I had heard them not only contribute ideas, thoughts and suggestions but more powerfully, confident statements of creative intent. 'Yes', they would do the job. 'Yes' they would love to be involved. 'Yes' they will create something new and original. 'Yes' they loved what they did. And guess what? 'Yes' their work was great.
I'm interested in giving things a go. I'm interested in finding a way, when everyone else says 'It can't be done!'. I'm interested in finding a 'Yes' within a 'No'.
After calling one of these creatives who I'd only met once in a very quick meeting, I explained my quite free-form idea to them. I explained that I wanted to shine a light on a number of Irish creatives and what they were doing using the medium of HD web film. I also explained that I wasn't quite sure how I was going to do it, but that I WOULD do it.
I'd had a burning desire to direct for quite some time. This was my opportunity to start. To learn. To explore. So I read up on some geeky DSLR knowledge that I needed (thanks to NoFilmSchool.com), packed my Canon 5D MKII and Zoom H1 stereo recorder into my backpack and jumped on my bike to cycle across Dublin and meet this creative in his studio.
And so, I have Chris Judge to thank for agreeing to 'star' in my first Amongst Inspiration film. Chris is a true and humble talent and from that 2 hour chat we had in his lovely studio and my shooting his creative environment, we got our first film.
I'm also incredibly blessed that my goal of featuring unique Irish creative talent has extended out to the music for each film too. Music is another big love of mine and so far Irish talents Cathey Davey, Lisa Hannigan and U2 have all agreed for me to use their music as the audio bed for individual films.
Parts 1-3 also featuring Cliona O'Flaherty and Steve Averill have been selected as part of the Jameson Film Festival's 'Silent Shorts' to screen in bars and clubs all around Dublin each Friday night. Viewers are given headphones (like at a silent disco) to enjoy the films in the middle of the buzzing bar.
I've just finished editing and grading Part 4. I'm looking forward to screening that on the big screen at LeCool's "Full Screen" event at the Sugar Club on March 15th before it goes online the next day.
I hope you enjoy the films as they appear online. More importantly I hope something within them inspires you.
JC - March 2012"
On Twitter: @AmgstInsprFilms
On Facebook: Facebook.com/AmongstInspiration
Search the hashtag #AmongstInspiration
Creator/Director
James Cooper
Featuring:
Illustrator Chris Judge
U2 Art Director Steve Averill
Photographer Clíona O'Flaherty
