The early parts of 2019 consisted of a wide range of projects for a few different broadcasters. I shot, directed and edited one of the series of Tabú documentaries for TG4 where we explored the world of and rapid rise of Allergies in Ireland, blending observational documentary with scientific factual content to provide a comprehensive look at how allergies are affecting families, the health service and businesses across the country.
Tabú – Ailléirgí – TG4
Stiúrthóir/Ceamara – Tabú – Ailléirgí – TG4 – Midas Productions – 52 mins – Eanair/January 2020
Stiúrthóir/Ceamara – Craig Speer – Léiritheoir – Medb Johnstone
Eagarthóir: – Craig Speer
Eagarthóir Coimisiúnaithe: Proinsias Ni Ghráinne
I was also shooting director of a second episode in the series where we got an insight into the world of Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) workers from Ireland. From Conor Kenna in Iraq, to Eve Bruce in Jordan the documentary explores the impact these Irish aid workers are having on the World around them.
Over the course of 2018 and 2019, I worked on Gillian Marsh’s The Funeral Director that was broadcast on RTÉ ONE in December with incredible reviews. It’s a beautiful portrait of David McGowan, a funeral director in the west of Ireland.
The Funeral Director – RTÉ ONE
Camera – The Funeral Director – GMarshTV Productions – RTÉ ONE – Dec 2019
The Funeral Director is a uniquely insightful and sensitive portrayal of work of the man responsible for the last ritual any of us will undergo – preparation for burial or cremation. Told from the perspective of pioneering Sligo funeral director David McGowan, the documentary unflinchingly draws back the veil on an industry that is rarely spoken of.
Director/Producer – Gillian Marsh – Editor – Gretta Ohle
Camera – Craig Speer and Andy Smyth.
Praise for The Funeral Director – https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/the-funeral-director-an-exquisite-profound-portrait-of-a-profession-1.4113227
Ár gClub – TG4
Shooting Director – Ár gClub – Aniar TV – TG4
With 2,500 clubs across Ireland, the GAA is the biggest, and perhaps the most important sports and cultural institution in the country. With a club in every parish the local club is the corner stone of the GAA and local communities. Ár gClub tells the stories of three very different GAA clubs as they compete, battle for honours, and strive to survive the 2019 season.
I was responsible for shooting and directing one of the three clubs featured in the series, Rathnure Camoige club in Wexford, as well as shooting the Belfast club, Laochra Loch Lao. The series is a six part observational series for Aniar TV
Stiúrthóir Sraithe – Risteard Ó’Domhnaill
Léiritheoir Feidhmiúcháin Aniar – Seán Ó Cualáin
Out of their League – Eir Sport
2019 ended by shooting and directing a dream passion project, ‘Out of their League‘ for Eir Sport. The documentary follows the PFAI (Professional Footballers Association of Ireland) during their winter training camp for out of contract footballers. In Ireland, many of our League of Ireland footballers are only on one year contracts, and for the most part that contract is for 42 weeks. So as the season ends in October the majority of our young football players are out of contract and out of work. Each winter the PFAI run a winter training camp for the players culminating in two trial matches where managers from the league come and pick up their final players ahead of pre-season. Shot over 6 weeks, the documentary follows some of the players on their journeys, delving into the backstories of these young men exploring how through bad luck, injuries or loss of form they have ended up on the football scrapheap. Out of their League will be broadcast in spring 2020.
Craig Speer - Shooting Director/Editor 