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So how did a sports journalist end up on a film set?
“A driver will pick you up and bring you to costume/ hair and make-up” – a text message confirmed that this was to be no ordinary day.
Earlier this month, I was on location in Malin Head as filming took place for a new feature called ‘The Flying Mountain’ which stars Irish actors Moe Dunford and Barry Ward.
The story follows two brothers as they travel from the cliffs of Ireland to Tibet’s mythical Flying Mountain. Along the way, one brother confronts death, while the other discovers that his own life’s path is still unfinished. The film is written and directed by Nicolas Steiner, and co-produced by Irish producers David Collins, Eamon Hughes, and Line Producer Edwina Forkin.
So how did a sports journalist end up on a film set?
Cashell Horgan from Extraextra.ie provides, as you might guess, extras for the television and film industry and there was an opening for a road bowler to appear in the film.
If you aren’t familiar with the Irish sport of Road Bowling, you aren’t alone. It is a very niche sport, played predominantly in counties Cork and Armagh.
When applying for the role, I wasn’t given any indication of how involved I’d be. Extras are, for good reason, kept on a need-to-know basis.
A week or so out from filming, Cashell asked me to find another bowler to compete against in the scene so I enlisted the help of my Tullysaran clubmate JP Hughes and we headed off to Inishowen peninsula for our 15 minutes of fame, or so we thought.
As it transpired, we weren’t ‘extras’ but ‘featured extras’ meaning we’d have a much greater role to play – hence the 6.45am hair and makeup appointment.
I was cast as “Matt the Bullet” and JP, my opponent, was “Ricky the Kid” for the day.
We entered the trailer only to be greeted by Moe Dunford himself and soon learned that we’d be filming with him later in the morning. As myself and JP are follicly challenged, the hair appointment didn’t take long!
I had a few grey hairs in my beard dyed and a touch of foundation applied to my face, ears and hands as I attempted to not to laugh at the surrealness of the entire situation.
We had arrived ready for action and the costume department were happy with our outfits, although all logos and branding needed to be taped over for copyright purposes.
We retreated to our own trailer before joining the rest of the extras for a safety briefing and a run through of the script. I didn’t know that I was the one to deliver the safety briefing – having to think on my feet would be a theme of the day.
We were stepping into their world, but they were unfamiliar with our sport. Together we had to create, learn and support and that started out by informing the extras that the road bowl is a 28oz steel cannonball and, speaking from previous experience, can break bones if you get in its path.
With the fear of God instilled in my new colleagues, we headed to the set, but only after a final check from the costume department had covered the logos.
You don’t realise how many logos are on your day-to-day clothes until someone has to cover them with masking tape. The wild and rugged scenery of Malin Head provided an idyllic backdrop for our road bowling scene.
Yet, the unpredictable weather proved a challenge for everyone, not just the cast.
Even though our roles were non-verbal, we were mic’d up so that every sound from our breathing to the sound of our shoes hitting the tarmac could be captured.
I had a monitor strapped to my ankle which was reminiscent of those electronic tags people released from prison might be forced to wear.Soon it was time for action. Sorry, that’s set, camera rolling, then action. You don’t move before you hear action.
Reset. Another take, another angle.
You soon come to realise that you are working with professionals who are determined to get it right, regardless of the weather.
As with any creative process, there’s scope for going off script and it was a joy to watch Moe Dunford in action, even if he did catch me off guard with one scene that I hope makes the final cut.
In between takes, we ran to take shelter from the elements, which kept everyone on their toes.
The second location for filming was on higher ground and that meant packing everything and everyone up and moving to an even more remote road.
For the first time my excitement gave way to nerves. As beautiful as the location was, the road was even narrower than the first one and it was my turn to launch a bowl for the final scene as the sun set in the distance.
After three takes, we had our bowling action wrapped up. There was just time for one last scene and one last curveball from the weather Gods as hail pelted the cast and crew.
In the nick of time, the final scene of the day was shot and, without giving too much away, I cannot wait to see that dramatic finale play out on screen!
With a near 12-hour day completed, we headed back to our hotel for a meal and a well-earned hot whiskey to warm up.
The day’s filming will provide around four to five minutes in the final film.
It is mind-blowing to think that the collective effort of the cast, crew and dozens of extras equates to just a few minutes in the final product. Most of us don’t realise the pain-staking detail of what goes on behind the scenes for our entertainment.
It was a joy to peak behind the curtain and I certainly won’t forget my day as ‘Matt the Bullet’.
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