It’s that time of the year, which makes perfect reason to share “Hanna Wins”, a Halloween themed film online. Click HERE to watch it. Happy Halloween!
(English and Russian subtitles (CC) available on YouTube, you can select either one of these languages in video settings.)
What is it about? In short: He came back from the dead to make sure she can make it.
The film was made as part of Dublin Filmmakers Collective Halloween challenge 2017 where we had to write, shoot and complete a short film on a theme of Halloween within the month of October. I wanted to do a ghost story, however Giorgio, writer of the screenplay, also happens to be Italian.. Hence the upgrade from just a ghost story to a ghost story with a mafia (well, Dublin gangster) twist.
Initial version of the film was screened on a Halloween Night in 2017, however final version of the project was completed and screened on a Halloween Night of 2018. Released online – Halloween 2019. Hope you enjoy it!
Throughout this week (21st of January until midnight on Sunday, the 27th of January) it is possible to view and vote for Hanna Wins and Night Out in Killashandra as part of the Lift-Off festival online screening.
It costs 10.95 € to view one page of festival’s sessions list, which includes 106 films to view. 
Halloween is upon us and it couldn’t have been a better time to be releasing and screening Hanna Wins short film, spooky- gangsta- comedy- drama.
The first screening of the completed version of Hanna Wins is on 31st of October between 7:30PM and 9:00PM in The Harbour Bar at 1 Strand Road, Bray with NoWIFi Horror Film screenings and Halloween Party. Come join us, free in.
I’m pleased to announce that Night Out in Killashandra has been selected for 
To be in shape for recording voice over, I read out loud for at least 15 minutes daily (or add the minutes up and make up for the missed day/s when I skip that practice). When I read, I do it pronouncing the words very clearly and honour the punctuation to adjust my intonation accordingly. Exactly how I would if I was reading for the voice over recording. If there are pieces of dialogue, I sometimes act them out too, makes it so much more fun. For this practice I’d use a book I’m currently reading, news or blog article that I clicked to read or even a lengthier friend’s social post.. So, it is incorporated into my routine quite effortlessly, I read at home, on the terrace or by the lake, choosing relatively quiet places where I wouldn’t necessarily be seen or disturbed/disturbing others. So yeah, I avoid this practice in social places, like on the bus or in cafeteria, although that could have been quite a funny experience, especially if I’d set up the camera to record reactions of the people around me (sketch idea?).
Before recording I try not to eat or drink dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese etc, any sugary things like chocolate or sweets, caffeine, sodas, alcohol or greasy/spicy foods. Also, nothing too cold or too hot. Eating greasy and spicy foods or dairy products can give heartburn, dairy products thickens the mucus that will imply me having to clear my throat more often, which is the last thing I’d want to be doing during the recording. Caffeine and chocolate dries out the throat and sodas contain not only sugars but also the bubbles, which might prompt belching in front of that microphone.. Emm, yikes, nope thanks. What I do eat/drink is room temperature water or herbal tea, a spoonful of honey, fresh fruit, nuts, salads. All of these keep mucus membranes and throat nice and healthy.
Lastly, when recording, I speak clearly and with confidence, as if I’d be talking with a friend and telling a story and make sure that I mean what I say when I say it so it sounds believable, rather than something I’m reading off the piece of paper. Having attended tonnes of acting classes and spent time on film sets and theatre stages certainly helps acting out the text and sounding natural, adjusted to the situation I’m meant to be in.
Saw the first draft of the movie that we filmed recently (it’s looking awesome yaaaay!) just few minor tweaks and it will be ready for submission to festivals- check ✔️
Got my hair cut and looking all pretty – check ✔️
My example of time well spent.. One day. Two short films made. Amazing banter was had. Literally..
Night Out in Killashandra is another short film that we filmed on the same day, last Saturday. I wrote the screenplay for that. Seeing people in a pub or a bar swiping left and right on popular dating apps and not paying attention to the immediate surroundings prompted me to write it. It explores another theme too… To find out, you’ll just have to watch the movie when it’s out.