by Mickey Ferry
THE cast for a forthcoming film to be shot on location in Strabane was unveiled in the Alley Theatre on Monday morning. Written, directed and produced by local Clady film-maker maker, Michael Lafferty, 'End Of The Line' will be a film in the 'revenge genre', made by production company Snowstorm Pictures Limited, which is run by the 23-year-old Clady man.
After a series of auditions and casting sessions taking place in Strabane and Derry, Michael, alongside his colleague and co-Producer Steven Gurney, has finally found the actors and actresses who perfectly fit the characters in his script.
With all the actors and actresses now handed their scripts, it is hoped that the film will begin shooting in and around Strabane in a month's time. Film director, Michael Lafferty expressed his delight that production of the film is just around the corner.
"It's been a long process but an important one. We want to make the best film possible, so we're going to take our time and not rush it. I'm glad to get the script finished and finally have the cast I need to get the filming under way. I look forward to working with my co-producer Steven Gurney and the cast, who have all impressed us immensely during the auditions," enthused Michael, whose sentiments were echoed by Steven Gurney.
"It's going to be an exciting project in and around the Strabane area. I look forward to working with the cast and with Michael again. I've worked with him on a number of projects already, such as 'The Vendetta' and 'Metal Gear Solid', which was based on a Play Station game. We have always worked well together and I'm sure we will do so again on 'End Of The Line'," said Steven.
Local composer, Ronan Doherty, was also unveiled as the man who has written the score for the film. Ronan has worked on television scores for Westway Productions and has provided the music for homegrown programmes such as Lesser Spotted Ulster.
'End of the Line' will consist of six characters and all the cast possess a rich variety of experience among them to make the project very interesting indeed. Nicola McLaughlin, who will play the part of 'Chloe', hails from Buncrana. She completed her drama degree at the Magee Campus in Derry, and has been busy with musical and theatre work in Derry and Buncrana.
Fellow drama graduate from Magee, Jane McCarter, will take on the role of 'Tanya'.
Jane has been busy working in all aspects of the stage, focusing on local drama, co-directing and stage management. She presently works in the Playhouse in Derry, and recently took part in the theatre group's production of 'The Tragedy of Dunker House'.
Martin McGrinder hails from Plumbridge and will be taking on the role of 'Cooper'. His main focus has been visual arts and worked in Canada for 17 years. He has now been back home for about a year. Strabane man, Martin McNally, will play 'Adam'.
Martin is currently in the second year of BTEC in Performing Arts at the North West Regional College in Derry. He has appeared in a number of plays locally, including one in the Alley Theatre called 'Burn'.
Clady man, James Kelly, who will play the character of 'Sean', is currently training at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. During his studies, he has appeared in a number of short films in Dublin and also a docu-drama for TG4, which was completed in June.
Strabane man, Simon Stewart, who will play the character of 'Paul', also studies at the Gaiety School of Acting. He has experience as a narrator in a BBC Blast Project. He also studied drama and theatre Studies in Queens, Belfast for a year and recently appeared in Landmark Productions' stage version of August Strindberg's play 'Miss Julie' in Dublin.
