Latest news with #WestCorkFilmStudios
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Hollywood mystery in West Cork as 1000 extras wanted for film with secret lead
If you're a resident of West Cork and always wanted to appear in a movie then now's your chance as a large production has landed in the Emerald Isle and is looking for 1000 extras for the project. The casting call was issued by West Cork Film Studios and is expected to be shooting in and around the region of Skibbereen. The film will revolve around James 'Jimmy' Stewart's wartime service, with the casting call illustrating that the production is looking for people to play a variety of roles and as dancers. Jimmy Casting Call Pic: West Cork Film Studios The casting call reads: 'Extra extra is currently casting for a major feature film, Shooting in West Cork. We're looking for talented background actors to bring scenes to life. This is a costume period film all extras will be paid and provided with a fitted costume. 'Join for free at with your details and measurements. Featured extra roles, Speaking roles, Swing dancers wanted, Ballet dancers, Hollywood Oscar Party goers, Brass bands, Glen Miller Orchestra Players, Towns people, Airbase crew, Bomber Pilots, Army Officers and Medics. James 'Jimmy' Stewart with Judy Garland Pic:A source told that the person tapped to play Stewart in the film 'is being kept under wraps' and only a 'few people' know who has been cast in the role. 'Filming has only just begun and I've been told that as little as four people know who the lead is,' they told 'It's a major production and the lead is really being kept under wraps.' The film, operating under the working title Jimmy, will mainly focus on how the Hollywood star, who famously appeared in It's a Wonderful Life, put his career on hold to serve in World War II with the US military in 1940. Jimmy Stewart in It's A Wonderful Life Pic:He was the first celebrity to enlist, serving in the US army air corps, and famously refused to be confined to support work from home soil, he insisted he serve on the front line. He finished the war with the rank of colonel, and even remained as part of the Air Force reserves after 1945, retiring with the rank of brigadier-general.
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Urgent casting call for major Hollywood movie set to shoot in Ireland as flick needs 1k extras – here's how to apply
A MAJOR Hollywood movie will begin filming in Ireland later this summer - and production bosses are on the hunt for extras to be in the flick. The production will be carrying out some on-location shooting in Skibbereen, Co Cork in the near future. Advertisement 2 There is a biopic of Hollywood legend James Stewart in the works Credit: Getty Images 2 Filming is set to start soon in the area Credit: Getty Images - Getty The film is a World War II biopic inspired by the life of West Cork Film Studios, a movie firm based in Skibbereen, have issued a massive casting call for extras on behalf of the production. The project is set to become the biggest production filmed in Ireland over the coming months. West Cork Film Studios are looking for in excess of 1,000 extras for the picture, which is operating under the working title Jimmy. Advertisement read more on movies The project was first conceived two years ago - then going by the title of A Truly Wonderful Life. Pennsylvania-born Stewart famously put his film career on hold in 1940 to serve with the He became the first major The film, inspired by his army experience, is to be shot in the Skibbereen area. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity West Cork Film Studios have issued a public appeal for cast members for the production along with Extra Extra. A range of roles are required to be filled, including speaking roles and featured extras roles. NO RE-USE Erika Christensen: From 'Traffic' Star to Hollywood Mainstay They said in a statement: 'Extra Extra is currently casting for a major feature film shooting in west Cork. 'We are looking for talented background actors to bring scenes to life. This is a costume period film – all extras will be paid and provided with a fitted costume.' Advertisement The advertisement for the production said extras were being sought to play roles including swing dancers, ballet dancers, Hollywood Oscar party attendees, brass bands, Glenn Miller Orchestra players, town people, airbase crew, bomber pilots, army officers and medics. BIG STAR West Cork has a strong tie to the Irish film industry with other movies such as The Wind That Shakes The Barley, As it currently stands, the Hollywood epic will revolve around Jimmy Stewart's wartime service – and his refusal to be confined to a safe role in uniform in the US. The actor insisted on enlisting because of his family's long connection with the US military. Advertisement His two grandfathers had served in the US Civil War, and his father served during the Spanish-American War and The roles can be applied for online through the website.
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wanted – 1,000 Irish extras for WWII epic based on life of Hollywood movie legend Jimmy Stewart
West Cork Film Studios have issued a casting call for extras – with the movie set to prove the biggest production shot in Ireland over the coming months. It is understood that over 1,000 extras are being sought for the film, which is operating under the working title Jimmy. It was first mooted two years ago under the title, A Truly Wonderful Life. The Pennsylvania-born actor famously put his film career on hold in 1940 to serve with the US military in World War II. He became the first major Hollywood star to enlist – and served with the US army air corps. The film inspired by his is expected to be shot in the Skibbereen area. West Cork Film Studios have already issued a public appeal for cast members for the production. We are looking for talented background actors to bring scenes to life 'Extra Extra is currently casting for a major feature film shooting in west Cork,' they said. 'We are looking for talented background actors to bring scenes to life. This is a costume period film – all extras will be paid and provided with a fitted costume.' The recruitment advertisement for the production said extras were being sought to play roles including swing dancers, ballet dancers, Hollywood Oscar party attendees, brass bands, Glenn Miller Orchestra players, town people, airbase crew, bomber pilots, army officers and medics. ADVERTISEMENT West Cork has a strong film tradition, with such productions as The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Star Wars and The Young Offenders all having been shot there. The area is also home to Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons and Academy Award-winning producer David Puttnam, while Irish actors Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal both have homes there. It is understood the Hollywood epic will revolve around Jimmy Stewart's wartime service – and his refusal to be confined to a safe role in uniform in the US. The actor insisted on enlisting because of his family's long connection with the US military. His two grandfathers had served in the US Civil War and his father served both during the Spanish-American War and in World War I. He was already a qualified pilot when he enlisted and, despite being earmarked for war support work in the US, he pressed to be allowed to serve on the front line. Worried that his status as a Hollywood celebrity might prevent him deploying to a combat zone, he repeatedly appealed to senior commanders to be allowed to serve on the front line along with other recruits. He eventually deployed with the 703rd Bomb Squadron to England in November 1943. The actor – by then a major star – served on B-24 Liberators heavy bombers that fought over occupied Europe. One of his most high-profile missions was a bombing raid over Ludwigshafen in early 1944 at the peak of the air war over Germany. He finished the war with the rank of colonel – one of only a handful of US servicemen to rise in rank from private to colonel during World War II. The actor remained in the US air force reserve after 1945, only retiring in 1968 with the rank of brigadier-general. He also received a Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre and the Air Medal. After the war, he was one of the 12 founding members of the United States Air Force Association. He was reticent to talk about his wartime experiences, but was deeply proud of his service in uniform. Famously, he agreed to be interviewed as part of the Laurence Olivier-narrated documentary, The World At War, about Allied bombing losses over Germany. The star, who died in 1997 at the age of 89, is one of the most legendary actors in Hollywood history. America's Film Institute ranked him at third on its list of greatest American actors. Over his career he starred in 80 films, the last being made in 1991. He starred in some of the most acclaimed and well-loved films ever made, including It's A Wonderful Life, Mr Smith Goes To Washington, Anatomy Of A Murder, Vertigo, The Greatest Show On Earth, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and The Glenn Miller Story. The actor received an Academy Award for his performance in The Philadelphia Story as well as an Honorary Academy Award in 1984.
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
West Cork production studio 'building an industry from scratch'
If Hollywood has taught the world anything, it's to dream big. Down in West Cork, they've taken the 'build it and they will come' mantra to the next level. While Tinseltown has been trying to get to grips with US president Donald Trump's tariffs announcement — in a now familiar style, a light-on-detail plan to put 100% tariffs on films made outside the US — down on the Baltimore Rd, outside Skibbereen, it is business as usual at West Cork Film Studios. Filming wrapped a few short weeks ago on Hokum, a supernatural thriller directed by Damian McCarthy and starring the A-list actor of Apple TV hit Severance, Adam Scott. It's the biggest production to date to be made at West Cork Film Studios, quietly making its mark in the industry. Setting up a film studio in West Cork had plenty of doubters. 'I think people thought we were daft,' said Édaín O'Donnell, co-founder of West Cork Film Studios with Steve Park. A lot of people in the industry and outside thought it would never work here Édaín has worked in film production in Ireland for decades in various roles, primarily in the art and set paint production, as has Steve — Australian-born but long settled in West Cork. The idea of creating a dedicated film studio locally developed after the region was used for the production of Michael Kinirons's thriller The Sparrow in Baltimore, along with Holding — which was adapted from Graham Norton's novel of the same name. Steve worked on film construction for Holding and Édaín was the head of painting. 'It was so spread out. We had a unit base in Drimoleague. We were in Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Castletownshend. We had workshops in Ballydehob and then we were trying to paint a kitchen set in a marquee,' Édaín said. 'So, at the end of Holding, we had the idea of adapting part of my family's furniture warehouse into a film studio.' Édaín's father Jim has been designing and manufacturing furniture for 60 years. 'My father says he invents and reinvents himself every 20 years. So he's embracing this as a new diversification into film at the age of 83,' Édaín said. Édaín's brother Aodh — an RNLI assessor, trainer, and helm in Union Hall — is also a studio director, adding a different skillset for films with sea or water-based elements. Part of the furniture warehouse was redesigned into a 20,000sq ft film studio. In 2023, the new studio was officially opened by mentor David Puttnam in the presence of stars such as Jeremy Irons. Edain O' Donnell with, from left, film producer David Puttnam, actor Jeremy Irons, and TD Christopher O' Sullivan at West Cork Film Studios open day. File Picture: Johannes Eisele. Now an independent company, West Cork Film Studios has to fly solo. 'It is not just building a studio, it is building an industry from scratch,' Steve said. 'We have a different approach to what a film studio should be. It's more holistic. It's our job to make sure that people that come here to make movies have a really enjoyable experience. That's part of being in West Cork. We're not just selling the studios, we're selling a lifestyle.' This week, film director and screenwriter Vicky Waldron Wight has been enjoying that lifestyle as production gets underway on her international feature film The Body Is Water. Vicky's previous feature film Happiness for Beginners, released in 2023, was a Netflix top 10 hit worldwide. Her other features include The Volunteer and The Lost Husband. She is based in Houston, Texas, but is originally from Monkstown in Cork. 'My parents emigrated when I was 12 in 1985. My mother Helen is from Mitchelstown and was a nurse. She had lived in New York, so had become a naturalized citizen. In 1985 Ireland, times were hard and my dad's business went under. There were four children, so my parents were adventurous and said we might as well just go.' Before she left, her teacher Mrs Murphy showed the young Vicky some things about America. One of those things was Steven Spielberg and his films Jaws and ET. Film became her passion and her career. Making film, I'm compelled. It's like religion for me Ireland remained close to heart. 'I come back every summer now with my kids and have for many, many years. The greatest goal I had was to come back to Ireland and make a film. Now, this is a dream coming true to come back and make a film here because I've never felt anything but Irish. It feels like being home.' The Body Is Water is filming at locations around West Cork until July. The film is not autobiographical, but aspects are threaded through Vicky's own life. 'I had cancer and there's a cancer storyline in the movie, as well as themes of grief and loss. My dad, Michael Waldron, passed away in 2002, and losing him was a seminal moment for our family because he was only 62. 'We all thought we'd be introducing him to our grandkids. Not being able to do that was just heartbreaking, because this fear of missing out that, to me, is what death is really about. When I was sick, it was very hard for me to imagine everyone else's future without me. 'That has influenced all my writing — but this particularly.' Daisy Ridley as Rey and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in a scene from the movie 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi', filmed on Skellig Michael, Ireland. The production firm behind the film received €3.43m in tax credits from the Revenue. File Picture: Jonathan Olley/ Lucasfilm Some of the film is set in Houston, Texas, but most will be a spectacular showcase of Ireland's South-West. Vicky said that West Cork Film Studios offered a priceless opportunity. 'I grew up going to Schull and Barleycove, and have all these places in my mind since I was a little girl. Having production facilities here makes it so much easier to actually execute a vision in West Cork. 'Because of the infrastructure, it makes it very easy and the landscape is maybe the most beautiful in Ireland — places like Mizen Head. That's part of our dream.' While Ireland radiates, Hollywood is in turmoil. Adam Scott, speaking on Rob Lowe's podcast Literally! before arriving in Ireland to shoot Hokum, said it was 'so weird that nothing shoots in Los Angeles' these days. But it's now weird. Ireland's generous Section 481 tax credit is worth up to 32% of expenditure to film productions up to €125m. October's budget introduced 'Scéal Uplift', adding 8% to the 32% credit for feature films up to €20m. Lowe, who films his US game show The Floor in Ardmore Studios, hit the nail on the head. 'It's cheaper to bring 100 American people to Ireland than to walk across the lot at Fox, past the soundstages, and do it there,' he said. 'Green Wave' Ireland is feeling the benefits. The production spend generated by the Irish screen industry in 2024 was valued at over €430m, representing a 33% increase on 2023, according to Screen Ireland. Analysis by Alma Economics for Screen Ireland found the audiovisual sector supports 15,899 full-time equivalent jobs, with a value to the Irish economy of over €1bn. Average small to medium film productions cost around €4m, and a third of that is estimated to go into the community — from accommodation to materials, food to transport. Ireland is booming. The second season of Wednesday — season one was the most popular Netflix show of all time with 250m views — will be released in August, with filming completed in Dublin in 2024. In 2025, Screen Ireland says more than 80 film, TV, and animation productions are planned here. Hollywood has been looking enviously at the success of Ireland, whose success has been dubbed the 'Green Wave'. Like all good movies, there has to be a plot twist. Mr Trump has seen the success of foreign film industries such as Ireland and wants a piece of the action. 'The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,' he wrote on Truth Social, bemoaning countries 'offering all sorts of incentives to draw' filmmakers and studios away from the US. His plan, like most of his other plans to wrest back jobs to the US, is tariffs. A proposed 100% tariff on foreign film production has sent a shiver through the Irish film production landscape. 'Panic is always the worst thing, but you have to plan around the potential risks,' West Cork Film Studios financial director Katherine O'Sullivan said. It's a constant reassessment of where one is at In Skibbereen, filming continues on two productions through to summer with further productions lined up. This year, the studio is paying its own way and eyeing a sustainable future. A deal to buy a former plastics factory from IDA Ireland is close to being finalised, which will transform into a studio back lot. A link up with Kerry College's immersive screenwriting course is in the pipeline. The studio already employs people with neurodiverse abilities to realise their talents, and Édaín says that will be developed further. Collaboration is important, and community is even more so. More than 100 people were employed at the studio during production of Hokum. 'We get huge support locally, and people are seeing the benefit to the whole community. We see the community as co-producers,' said Édaín. The studio continues to be mentored by David Puttnam, while Robert Sheehan of Love/Hate fame has discussed writing an independent film for the studio based in West Cork. Ultimately, filmmakers just want to make movies. 'It's frightening to think that you couldn't make a film in another country because of tariffs,' Vicky said. I have two movies that I'm trying to sell in America, to shoot in America, but it's more expensive 'I love making films in America and in Texas particularly. I would like to make more films in and around Houston and South Texas. 'The tariff conversation is complicated on a lot of levels, but — along with all the US filmmakers I know — I'm hopeful there can be measures taken to bring more work to America via federal and state tax incentives and subsidies. 'Rather than trying to load up and tariff others, actually make yourself more attractive — that is what Ireland has done.'
