What in the World?
(2011) 6 x 25 mins (series 5)
What in the World?
(2009) 6 x 25 mins (series 4)
What in the World?
(2008) 5 x 25 mins (series 3)
(Mauritius episode not cleared for international use)
What in the World?
(2007) 4 x 25 mins (series 2)
click to view......
What in the World?
(2004) 5 x 25 mins (series 1)
THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN ANTIQUITY
(2000) 5 X 26 minutes
In 776 B.C. a very important historical event took place: the first OLYMPIC GAMES in ancient Olympia.
This documentary presents the history of the Olympic Games from their inception, beginning with the myths and the prehistoric athletic events, leading step by step to the most important noble competition in the field of sports. In Antiquity, the goal was winning through fair play and the award was a wild olive tree wreath that symbolized eternal glory.
The viewers see the sacred area, where the Olympic Games were taking place, in its glory epoch: the magnificent monuments of ancient Olympia are reproduced by 3D Computer Graphics and their importance in the athletic ceremonies is fully explained.
Furthermore, the 8 athletic games of the ancient Olympics (running, wrestling, boxing, pangration, chariot racing, pentathlon, jumping, horse racing) are reproduced either by live action shots or by 2D animation techniques.
In spite of the fact that the Olympic Games were no longer taking place since Medieval times, the Olympic ideals survived and gave birth to the revival of the modern Olympic Games, in 1896. The 2012 Olympic Games is being staged in London, England in August 2012 which makes this series a most timely offering.
CONVICT WOMEN
(2011) 3 x 52 minutes – Available in Feb 2012
This film is a pioneering documentary series that fuses history, genealogy and dramatic reconstruction to reveal for the first time, the stories of these forgotten women and their experiences in the strange and harsh new world of Colonial Australia.
The series is the first to deal with the establishment of the enterprise that would give birth to the Australian nation and the roles that Irish females, both women and girls, played in its formation.
From 1787 to 1853, over 25,000 women, nearly half of them Irish, were transported in the dark holds of ships on a 16,000 mile journey to the other side of the world as bonded labour.
Convict Women rescues their stories from the obscurity of the museums and
archives, these founding mothers of modern Australia.
MOVIE TALK
(2011) 10 x 26 Minutes
This new star-studded series profiles the individual careers of some of Ireland’s more established film actors and directors, e.g. Gabriel Byrne, Pierce Brosnan, Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan.
It also features some of the greatest female actors to have worked closely with Irish film makers, like Fionnula Flanagan and Anjelica Huston, as well as teenager Saoirse Ronan, currently making significant impact internationally in major feature films.
Shot on location in Los Angeles, New York, London and Dublin, each programme features one of these celebrities who leads us along their individual career path to Hollywood.
BAGMAN
(2009) 2 X 52 Minutes
Journey with Colin Byrne, one of Ireland’s premier caddies, as he works on the European professional golf circuit, in search of a new bag to carry.
Through his unique interviews with other caddies, both young and experienced, other golfers like Graham McDowell the current US PGA Open Champion and Colombia’s handsome rising star, Camillo Villegas combined with extracts from Colin’s weekly articles in The Irish Times, the viewer gets unique insights into the human side of golf.
Bagman provides the singular perspective of one of Ireland’s most successful
exponents of carrying the golf bag and the excess baggage that often comes with it.
THE IRISH MIND
(2008) 6 X 26 minutes
Over the last century, what it means to be Irish has changed beyond belief as the country slowly emerged from being an impoverished, colonised island on the edge of Europe, to becoming a confident, largely affluent nation taking it’s place on the world stage.
This series looks at how this remarkable change took place and introduces some of the leading Irish minds who are not only shaping the new Ireland but are also shaping the wider world about them.
The individual episodes in this series deal with subjects like The Business Mind, covering the period from 1990 to 2005, when employment went for 1.1 million to 1.9 million and GDP grew by an average 6% per annum; The Scientific Mind outlines how scientific research and innovation is thriving in today’s Ireland; The Creative Mind, always central to the Irish personality, in contemporary Ireland has been channelled into other areas like music and the arts, with artists like U2,one of the most widely known brand names, blazing a trail
internationally for their peers to follow.
Finally, in the last episode, The Global Mind, the question is posed, what does it mean to be Irish now, when everything that traditionally defined the Irish as a people has changed utterly? In an ever-changing world, therefore, what now defines The Irish Mind and makes it unique?
ME AND THE BIG C
(2008) 6 x 26 minutes
These observational programmes – made over a 2 year period, are a sometimes harrowing but often life affirming series about the resilience of the human mind and body.
Shot in 3 hospitals in Cork, the series follows the stories of twelve patients, their families and medical staff as they face that most frightening illness – the big ‘C’ – cancer. This series engages with the humanity and dignity that exists in a world where suddenly an individual – young or old – has to face their own mortality.
Regrettably, cancer is an issue that affects us all and has no regard for age or personal circumstances. One in three Irish people are likely to contact some form of cancer in their lifetime.
Behind the illness, the politics, the medical terminologies and statistics there is always the individual patients’ personal stories as they fight for survival, with dignity and courage, against this daunting disease.
What the papers say:
Me and the Big C is essentially a celebration of the indomitable spirit and dignity of so-called ordinary people…. Liam Fay, Sunday Times.
Me and the Big C is a sad yet life-affirming programme about cancer and cancer treatment, made all the more poignant by the
knowledge that all over the country, people are facing similar realities. It makes for cathartic viewing….
Sunday Tribune.
One person in three, this week’s programme told us, will have to face this still-terrifying, occasionally devastating, but increasingly curable disease. The strength of Me and the Big C, a series whose non-sensationalist approach is gratifying, lies in it’s ability to demystify the disease and to look at treatment from the point of view of the individuals who are facing into surgery, chemo and radiation therapy…. IT Weekend Review.
THE INVESTIGATORS - Series 1 & 2 (2007/8) 13 x 26 mins
MISSION EMPLOYABLE
(2006) 6 x 26 minutes
TV and radio presenter Stephen Nolan fronts this new series that sets out to prove that even the most recalcitrant or unskilled person can be coached, cajoled and counselled into finding a suitable job that’s right for them.
Following the selection of a group of unemployed candidates, Stephen enlists the help of two mentors to work with these young people. Sean Connolly, Motivational Life Coach and Clinical Hypnotherapist, specialises in overcoming negative thinking in his clients.
Rosemary Morrison is a successful Business Consultant with expertise in finance and marketing. She has extensive links with both the private and public sectors and specialises in accessing funding for small business.
Together this team work with the chosen candidates to facilitate their successful job searches.
THE QUITE POSTMAN
Series 1 (2002) 6 x 26 mins (no dialogue)
In this laugh a minute series, our hero, postie in spite of his best intentions, gets himself into and out of various scrapes and tricky situations, many of which are his own making.
However, with his endearing combination of both charm and guile, postie invariably swans through all such adversity with a smile on his face.
You'll be smailing too!
Episode 1 - A New Arrival
There's a newcomer in town - the beauitful Darleen. Postie is smitten, but is rival, Tont Baloney. Who will win the day.
Episode 2 - Daylight Robbery
Mother is off to Londaon for the day, and while she's away, Postie decides to hold a fancy dress party to impress Darleen. But gate-crashing burglaurs are the least of postie's problems.....
Episode 3 - The Sporting Life
The village sports day is here, but postie is out of shape. There's more than one way to skin a cat, but will postie get away with it?
Episode 4 - Beach Babe
Summer is here! All of Leitir Beag, rushes to the beach, while postie has to work. Tony seizes his chance to impress Darleen. What can postie do?
Episode 5 - Film Frolics
When a film crew arrives in Leitir Beag, Tony & Darleen gain starring roles. How can postie hope to compete?
Episode 6 - Postie's Big Day Out
Postie has been nominated as postman of the year. Will he give into temptation? Will he win? Will he get there at all?
WATERWAYS - The Royal Canal. 6 x 25 Documentary Series
In the exciting new 6 x z5 minute HD documentary series 'Waterways - The Royal Canal', Dick Warner returns to the inland waterways of Ireland, this time to the newly restored Royal Canal.
The series celebrates the final re-opening of the entire Royal Canal to navigation after more than haif a century of dereliction. Dick makes his return on a barge called the 'Rambler',a n original Toft Royal Canal Tug Barge built in 1878.
On his journey, Dick meets both experts and ordinary people who live along the canal banks, learning from them about its heritage, history and wildlife. However, Dick's journey is also full of dramatic, unforeseen moments; 'Rambler' is large, not very maneuverabie and it becomes a difficult task taking her
down the Royal Canal Dick discovers how the canal was constructed in the late 18th century as a major commercial venture, and how its history mirrors the history of Irish capitalism.
He also uncovers a trove of archaeological and historical nuggets, from an lron Age site to tales of whiskey production and consumption, famine emigration and curious anecdotes such as the story of the Ribbonmen, a rgth century rural secret society.
The series also reveals some of Ireland's natural heritage, including several
species of water bird, several species of fish, butterflies, water plants, wildflowers, trees and woodland.
It features items on renowned literary and artistic figures such as Brendan Behan
and Oliver Goldsmith. Dick's mesmeric voice brings together history heritage and wildlife to give a unique view of Iife along this beautiful waterwav.
"Waterways - The Royal Canal" is vividly shot on High Definition bringing the stunning canalv istast o life on screene, vokingt he Iook and feel of Old Masters landscape paintings.
Spectacular underwater and aerial photography explores the abundance of
wildlife and rich countrvside that spread from the Canal banks, promising to make'Waterways'a spectacular experience for woridwide audiences.
Waterways -'The Royal Canal':
. 'Dick Warnet's mesmeric voice brings together history heritage and wildlife to give a unique view of canal life.
. Stunning underwater and aerial photography explores the abundance of wildlife and rich countryside that spread from the Canal banks, promising to make 'Waterways' a
spectaculare xperiencef or worldwide audiences.
. 'Waterways - The Royal Canal' taps into a deep-seated nostalgia for a simpler age and appeals to a populist audience across the spectrum of history heritage and culture.
Programme 1 - The Auld Triangle
Programme 2 - The Deep Sinking
Programme 3 - The Long Level
Programme4 - Reaching the Summit
Programme 5 - Forgotten Road
Programme6 - Journey's End
WATERWAYS
TRAVELLING UNPLUGGED
(2008) 22 x 26 minutes
17 year old Byron Taylor, a TV presenter and actor in his native South Africa, graduated from High School a year early.
With a gung ho attitude and a round-the world ticket in his back pocket, he had one whole year to explore the planet! Taking in the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe, and with his video camera always at the ready, he experienced the diversity of world cultures and some crazy unplanned adventures.
With occasional support from family and friends who joined him at various destinations around the world, Byron roughs his way through huge emotional rollercoasters, recording his highs and lows.
Edited in a kinetic and pacey style, with commentary by Byron throughout, Travelling Unplugged is a unique video diary of every young person’s ideal year abroad trip.
BRIGHT SPARKS
(2006) 6 X 26 minutes
Just how inventive are young people today? In a studio-based, fully equipped mad-cap science laboratory, two teams of 13-19 year old pupils from different schools are time challenged to design and construct a particular invention.
These will be produced using specific guidelines devised by Professor Noel Sharkey and using objects that are available around them. Joe Lindsay is the show’s main presenter with Professor Sharkey acting as judge for each school’s ultimate invention. A somewhat larger-than-life, eccentric character, our Nutty Professor regularly features on TV and radio. Noel was chief judge for every series of Robot Wars throughout the world as well as 4 series of Techno Games.
In each show, Joe and the Professor travel through an Infinity Tunnel to the outside world. There they team up with Hal the Professor’s excitable assistant, who has set up various Big Bang experiments to amaze our duo and the viewers at home.
This bright, hip new science-based series is very much geared towards the family audience, with the emphasis as much on entertainment as on education.
Bright Sparks is a fresh and clever way to mix curriculum-based science with originality and innovation that will excite both the viewers’ collective imagination and the child in all of us.
WILD TRIALS Series 3
(2006)
One week to become a wildlife photographer – that’s the challenge facing the seven contestants in the third series of this highly rated wild life/travel show. Each participant, with little or no photographic experience, has one week in some of the wildest corners of Ireland, to track down and photograph one specific species among the country’s most spectacular wildlife. This series puts TV reporter Charlie Bird on the trail of some very elusive mink, multiple Eurovision winner Johnny Logan camping out in Donegal in search of a wild badger, Shauna Lowry stalking fallow deer bucks and talk radio host George Hook wrestling old injuries to get a shot of a wild Golden Eagle.
The ultimate prize for the contest winner is always a well kept secret. This series ends (programme 8) with the winner chasing the grey wolves of Yellowstone National Park in Montana. This lady’s photograph will now be used in the international Wolf Centre’s 2007 Conservation Campaign.
PROG. 1 Golden Eagles with George Hook
Kicking off this year’s series is broadcaster and rugby pundit George Hook who travels to the highlands of Donegal to try and photograph a Golden Eagle. These majestic birds of prey became extinct in Ireland in 1910 and have only recently been re-introduced to Glenveigh National Park. With wingspans of over 2 metres these magnificent eagles can occasionally be seen soaring over the high peaks of the park but to photograph them George must spend many long hours sitting in a small cramped hide waiting for the birds to show. The wait is agonising and George’s old rugby injuries come back to haunt him. In the end will all the pain have been in vain?
Prog. 2 Badgers with Johnny Logan
Programme 2 of Wild Trials sees Eurovision legend Johnny Logan heading North for his week as a wildlife photographer. His quarry a unique population of badgers on an island off Donegal. Camping through rain and storms will Johnny get the weather he needs to win the prize?
Prog. 4 Shauna Lowry stalks Fallow Deer
Hunting through the beautiful Galtee Mountains, TV presenter Shauna Lowry, must track down and photograph Fallow Deer at the height of the rutting season. The bucks are in their prime and ready for a fight to the death to impress their female companions. Trekking through one of Ireland’s forgotten realms, it will take
Prog. 3 Charlie Bird with Mink
Programme 3 of Wild Trials and news hound Charlie Bird is on the trail of the fast and cunning mink along some of Ireland’s most beautiful waterways. Known for their skill and guile – mink in Ireland are after all descendants of fur farm escapees - will these ferocious predators get the better of Charlie or will Ireland’s most well-known roving reporter get his photo?
patience, stealth and some new skills for Shauna to get close enough to bag a winning photograph.
Prog. 5 Rosaleen Linehan pursues Barn Owls
This week actress Rosaleen Linehan must brave some bitterly cold nights in her pursuit of one of Irelands rarest and most beautiful birds – the barn owl. As she stakes out the woodlands of county Cork, the rarely seen owl will test Rosaleen’s stamina and endurance to the limit. Can she persevere and snatch a winning shot of an owl in flight?
Prog. 6 Ivan Yates up close with Butterflies
Ivan Yates, former TD and Minister for Agriculture, may have successfully swapped politics for bookmaking but how will he fare with this new challenge of close-up photography? A barge on the River Shannon will be his home for a week as he tries to find and photograph dragonflies Ireland’s most colourful and exotic insects. But close-up or macro photography, as it’s known, is deceptively difficult. It requires both a good eye and advanced technical know how. Will Ivan Yates survive his week in the wild and will his business survive without him?
Prog. 7 Sheila McWade scampers with Squirrels
In this final week of the competition Fair City star Sheila McWade is on the trail of red squirrels in Portumna Forest Park. Red Squirrels spend most of their time high in the tree canopy and tend to be very shy of human beings. Add to that the fact sightings are becoming rarer as they are muscled out by their grey cousins and it’s clear Sheila has a challenging time ahead. Can Sheila win over these reclusive creatures and snatch a prize-winning photo?
Prog. 8 And the Winner is…Shauna Lowry! Chasing the Grey Wolves
Chasing the grey wolves of Yellowstone National Park is the prize for this year’s Wild Trials winner, Belfast TV presenter Shauna Lowry – who heads off to the wilds of Montana and battles with temperatures of minus 35 degrees in her pursuit of one of the world’s great predators. Her best photograph will be used in the International Wolf Centre 2007 Conservation Campaign
WILD TRIALS SERIES 2
(2005) 6 X 26 minutes
Become a wildlife photographer for a week. That’s the challenge facing five well-known Irish personalities who must travel to some of the most remote corners of Ireland to track down and photograph a wild Irish animal. From otters to conger eels and basking shark to red foxes, this series focuses on some of Ireland’s most spectacular wildlife and follows each contestant as they struggle to get that perfect photo.
The best photograph of the series sees the winner off on the wildlife adventure of a lifetime, visiting a wildlife preserve in India to photograph Bengal tigers in the wild, which is the final show in this excellent series.
Prog 1
Scubadiving to 75 feet to explore some of the shipwrecks off Rathlin Island is no small feat for a novice diver. Add to this the challenge of photographing the ferocious-looking conger eels that inhabit these wrecks and you can see why presenter Liz Bonnin is daunted by her task, She takes to to scubadiving with ease but a particularly dark, deep and cold dive rattles her confidence. Overcoming her fears she goes back down and this time gets photographs that any professional would be proud of.
Prog 2
Photographing wild foxes needs guile, ingenuity and above all patience. To get his shot Senator David Norris starts by camping out in Co. Roscommon where he endures several cold, wet and unsuccessful attempts at photographing his wary subject in the wild. Returning to Dublin, the Senator turns his attention to urban foxes and explores some of the many parks and gardens frequented by foxes after dark. His late nights on the town are finally rewarded with the photographs he’s worked so hard for all week.
Prog 3
Photographing the second biggest shark in the world in the waters off Achill Island is the challenge facing travel presenter Kathryn Thomas this week. Basking Sharks can grow to 35 feet in length and weigh over 7 tons... but luckily for Kathryn they eat nothing but plankton. To get the shot she’s after Kathryn must snorkel right up to one of these gentle giants and photograph it as it swims by.
Prog 4
The challenge this week is to travel to the exposed islands of the Skelligs to photograph Ireland’s largest seabird. With a guitar under one arm and a camera under the other Mickey Harte explores the sheer cliffs and high peaks of these wild islands which jut vertically from the sea twelve miles offshore. His ultimate goal is to land on the rocky outcrop of Little Skellig, home to over 40,000 gannets making it the second largest gannet colony in the World.
Prog 5
Trekking and sailing around Clew Bay to photograph one of Ireland’s most elusive mammals, the otter, is the challenge facing actress Bronagh Gallagher this week. After countless early starts and long days in the outdoors she gets photographs of just about everything but what she’s after, an otter. These are shy and elusive creatures and sighting of them are quite rare. On her very last morning however she finally gets to see the beautiful animal that has taunted and eluded her all week... can she now get the photograph to win the series?
Prog 6
A panel of expert judges pick the winning photograph of the series and we follow the winner as they set off on a wildlife photographic assignment of a lifetime. Last year Carrie Crowley won a trip to Rwanda to photograph mountain gorillas. Who will win this year and what will be their ultimate challenge? This year’s winner’s photograph, if sucessful, will be used in a world wildlife fund campaign.
WILD TRIALS (2004) 6 X 26 minutes
Become a wildlife photographer for a week. That’s the challenge facing five Irish personalities who must travel to some of the remotest corners of Ireland to track down and photograph wild and elusive Irish animals. From whales to pine martens, seals to bats in flight, this series aims to feature Ireland’s wildlife and wilderness in a new and compelling way. The best photograph sees the winning photographer off on a wildlife adventure of a lifetime somewhere in the world.
In this entertaining new series, five people from varied backgrounds, a broadcaster, an adventurer, an actor, an elected member of the Irish Parliament, and a TV and Radio personality, embark on a wildlife photographic challenge somewhere in the most remote regions of Ireland. No previous photographic experience is necessary.
Each competitor, on receiving their challenge, is helped to familiarize themselves with their camera equipment. They must then complete their task and select their best photograph to compete in the overall grand prize. A panel of professional photographers ultimately pick the best photograph of the series and the winner is then awarded a surprise photographic assignment of a lifetime, tracking down Northern Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas.
Highlights include:
Programme 1.
Actor Don Wycherley finds himself on the remote and windswept Inishkea Islands off Co. Mayo. Battered by winter storms, his challenge is to photograph Ireland’s largest carnivores – Grey Seals and their adorable white pups.
Programme 2.
Conor Lenihan TD, spends a week camping out in the wilds of Killarney Nation Park, trying his best to photograph one of Kerry’s noisiest residents – a wild red deer stag at the height of the rutting season.
Programme 3.
Broadcaster Ray Darcy’s challenge is to photograph the second biggest animal in the world – a regular visitor to Ireland’s coastal waters. Fin whales can grow up to 80 feet long and are often seen off west Cork, migrating south to their breeding grounds off North Africa.
Programme 4.
Presenter Carrie Crowley heads deep into the Burren in Co. Clare on the trail of Ireland’s most elusive mammal – the Pine Marten. She learns the hard way how much dedication is needed to become a wildlife photographer.
Programme 5.
Adventurer Pat Falvey finally goes bats in Killarney. After his Everest adventures, Pat is exploring much closer to home this year – the caves and bat roosts in his adopted homeland of Kerry.
Programme 6.
In the final programme of Wild Trials, a panel of experts picks the best photograph of the series and sends the winning photographer, Carrie Crowley, off on the wildlife adventure of a lifetime………… an incredible trip to Northern Rwanda to photograph the highly endangered mountain gorillas.
FORMAT RIGHTS AVAILABLE.
Worldwide distribution by:
Captain Draw
(2004) 30 x 5 mins
“So you want to draw…..” is a new children’s series (recommended age 5-10 years) which shows “how to” draw cartoon characters, in real time with simple step-by-step instructions.
Each 5 minute programme features a complete new character with both names and character design which will have strong appeal to children, e.g. Billie Beagle and Katie Kitten With a further 30 shows in production, Captain Draw is ideal for inclusion in a children’s magazine show or as a stand-alone item in your schedule.
Either way this is surely going to be a big draw. M& E tracks available
Let’s Draw Cartoons
(2004) 30 x 5 mins
With Tina Mation’s new Quick Draw techniques, this Let’s Draw Cartoons series enables children to draw a wide range of colourful characters, using foolproof step-by-step instructions M&E tracks available. 120 additional episodes in production.