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SDGI’s Three Irish Short Films Wrap Production, Blending Creative Vision with the Latest Filmmaking Technology.

March 7, 2025

We are delighted to announce the successful completion of three innovative short films, which wrapped last week following an intensive two-month production period throughout January and February. The projects, led by Irish directors Conor McMahon, Róisín Loughrey, and Paul Webster, demonstrate the exceptional talent and cutting-edge technology shaping the future of Irish filmmaking.

The completed films are:
• Paul Webster – Marguerite, shot on location in Dublin
• Róisín Loughrey – Lullula, filmed on location in Sligo
• Conor McMahon – GULP, in H stage in Ardmore studios and on location.

The success of these productions was made possible through the invaluable support of ARRI ALEXA, Ardmore Studios’ new H Stage, High Res, Outer Limits VFX Department, the Irish Society of Cinematographers, Bow Street, IADT, 24-7 Drama, Teach Solais/Lighthouse, Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet, and The VFX Academy. SDGI extends its deepest gratitude to all partners, whose contributions were instrumental in bringing these projects to life.

This year’s productions began with a training session from ARRI, ensuring that directors and their teams could fully harness the capabilities of the ARRI ALEXA Super 35mm 4.6K camera. This state-of-the-art technology provided an exceptional learning experience for all involved offering a unique opportunity to experiment with high-end cinematography tools.

GULP, directed by Conor McMahon, is a standout project for its groundbreaking use of virtual production, integrating an Unreal Engine asset within a real-time workflow to capture in-camera VFX. High Res provided an industry gold standard LED, processing and server system, along with camera tracking, enabling real-time rendering of virtual environments on-set. This advanced technology assisted in creating dynamic lighting and interactive environments that enhanced the film’s visual storytelling in a controlled surrounding. Peter Canning of High Res highlighted that this represents one of the first uses of real-time, in-camera VFX technology in an Irish short film – a milestone made possible through close collaboration with Eugene McCrystal and the team at Outer Limits VFX.

Frank Berry, Creative Director of the ARRI ALEXA TAKE, emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in bringing these films to life:

“I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the twelve incredible partners whose support made this initiative possible for our directors this year. It has been an inspiring experience of collaboration and community, with everyone coming together to uplift and support one another. Beyond the filmmaking itself, this has been an invaluable
learning opportunity, allowing directors to push creative boundaries and explore new possibilities. It’s truly rewarding to see these projects come to life.”

The SDGI deeply appreciates the support of all involved in this initiative, which continues to provide a valuable learning experience for Irish filmmakers. By fostering collaboration and access to cutting-edge technology, the ARRI ALEXA TAKE remains a cornerstone of creative development for directors in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

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