Athlone set to be the 'reel' deal for new film

 

Local actors will get the opportunity to feature on the big screen later this year as the town is set to feature strongly in a new film entitled 'Call Me Isaiah'.

Michael Middleton, a US-based creative director and co-founder of SeedBolt Studios, chose Athlone as the setting for his latest venture following a visit to the region last year, and he told the Westmeath Independent that the area is one of his favourite places.
Also an outdoor and portrait photographer, his film is set to chronicle the story of several disaffected young people who have built their social lives around an internet game, and who are facing the prospect of meeting for the first time.
SeedBolt has already completed virtual and augmented reality work for major tech companies and a recent Hollywood film release. The company's film work has already featured at some high profile film festivals in recent years.

Deirdre Verney from the Westmeath Independent recently caught up with Michael Middleton and had some film quick fire questions for him on Athlone and all things film!

 

First movie memory?

Disney's 'The Fox and the Hound' in the movie theatre, back when it premiered. It is the first movie I saw in a theatre (cinema).
 

Why did you choose Athlone as a location for your upcoming film 'Call me Isaiah'?

I go to Ireland every year to see friends, and the Midlands region is one of my favorite places. When I was walking in Athlone early one morning last year, it just struck me that it was the right location for a film, and the idea for this movie hit me between Church Street and Friary Lane. Seemed only right to shoot it in Athlone.
 

What's the inspiration behind the film?

The film was inspired by a conversation I had with a young Irish friend, who mentioned that he feels more close to some people he has met online playing video games, than he does to some of his relatives.
 

Will you use local actors and when do you hope to start shooting?

We absolutely want to use local actors - even if they have no experience - and intend to shoot in the autumn. October 2019 is the target, but it may move slightly forward or backward.
 

You're also a photographer, how has that influenced your filmmaking?

I've been very fortunate to travel to every continent except for Antarctica, and to every climate on Earth. The aesthetics of the landscapes and the diversity of the cultures has given me access to a lot of ideas, inspirations, and stories - and photography has taught me how to convey those within the constraints of images.
 

What other work has your company SeedBolt been involved in?

We are active in the virtual reality and video game industries, and recently did some augmented reality work for a live experience related to a Hollywood superhero release. It can be a lot of fun to explore the boundaries of virtual reality.
 

What's your ultimate film goal?

To tell stories I enjoy, even if they are for a limited audience.
 

Best movie advice ever given?

Watch a lot of movies you have never heard of, even if you think they will be lousy. I've discovered some great movies that way. And a lot of lousy movies, too.
 

Three dream dinner guests?

That's a tough one. My answer would probably be a lie to avoid getting into trouble at home. So let's just go with the people I have dinner with already.
 

Last film you loved?

I saw 'Dunkirk' twice in the theatres. I never would have expected that.
 

Three things you can't live without?

Three beers.
 

What are your big hopes for 2019?

Hitting my creative and personal goals, seeing my friends in Ireland, and hopefully making a decent film there.

 

Interview compiled by Deirdre Verney.