Address:
2 Northbrook Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
Telephone:
+353-1-497 7077
Fax:
+353-1-497 7731
Website: http://
www.frontierfilms.ie
Email: info@frontierfilms.ie
Personnel:
Gerald Heffernan - Managing Director, Producer/Director
Susan Ebrill - Managing Director
Mark Boland- Camera-Operator/ Researcher
Eoin O'Faolain- Researcher
Company Description:
Formed in 1986, Frontier Films produces a broad range of programming for the Irish and International market.
In 1993, the company won the American Cable industry's ACE award for its music series The Session. Other successes in the area of music programming include two films with Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground - "Velvet Redux" and "Curious - The Velvet Underground in Europe", both for Channel 4.
The company produced the 90-minute live show to launch the Irish language channel TG4. Other live entertainment programmes include - "Ireland 2000" - a Celebration. Broadcast from the Point Depot, the show was presented by Gay Byrne and guests included Liam Neeson, Westlife and Riverdance.
In 1998, the company produced "The Big Move", two one-hour documentaries looking at the amalgamation of Dublin's Meath, Adelaide and Harcourt Street Hospitals and their move to a purpose built facility in Tallaght. "Remember Me", a one-hour documentary on Alzheimer's disease was also recently broadcast to very favourable critical reaction.
Currently in production is the tenth series of "No Frontiers", RTE's main travel strand. For other current productions see below.
In Development:
Frontier Films is also currently developing a number of entertainment formats.
Current Production:
"No Frontiers"
Frontier Films is currently in production for the ninth series of its travel show.
Previous Production:
"Fallout"
2x1-hour docudrama follwing a nuclear incident in the UK and its impact on Ireland.
"Tsunami: One Year On" (2005)
1-hour documentary exploring the aftermath of the devasating tsunami that struck South-East Asia and the efforts of charity organisations to bring aid to the affected nations.
"Big boys don't cry"
1-hour documentary for RTE's True Lives strand which highlights the tragedy of suicide and its devastating impact on family, peers and the community more generally. Particular attention is paid to the alarming increase in young male suicide.
"Wheels"
Half-hour documentary for RTE 1 which takes a look at Ireland's thriving car sales industry and how it has impacted on life on the streets.
"Girlpower"
1-hour documentary for RTE's True Lives strand which follows the lives of five girls from Galway, Sligo, Cork and Dublin as they step onto the production line for stardom.
Production History :
"Remember Me"
Description: Remember Me is a 52-minute observational documentary which gives an honest and open account of the impact of Alzheimer's disease on three families as we take a close and very personal look at the lives of those directly affected by the disease and those caring for them. This was transmitted as part of this year's "True Lives" strand on RTE 1.
"In One Year and out the Other"
New Year's Eve entertainment show hosted by John Kelly and featuring Ding Dong Denny O'Reilly, Paul Cleary, Jason Byrne, Relish and Jack L among others.
"No Frontiers"
Description: In production for the third year of RTE's popular travel series No Frontiers which will be broadcast in January 2001. The twelve-part series has also been re-commissioned for 2002.
"All or Nothing"
All or Nothing is a three-part documentary series which follows a group of six young people who have been taken out of their ordinary lives for three weeks and are forced to live, work and play together, as they participate in a number of emotionally and physically demanding challenges. This is due to be transmitted in the early summer of 2000.
Sample Productions 1995 - 1999:
"Ireland 2000 - A Celebration"
A one-hour entertainment special transmitted live from the Point Depot on Saturday, 15th January 2000 on RTE 1. The show was hosted by Gay Byrne and featured some of the very best of our home-grown talent across the entertainment spectrum including Liam Neeson, Tommy Tiernan, Cora Lunny, Westlife and Riverdance.
"The Big Move"
Two one-hour documentaries looking at the amalgamation of Dublin's Meath, Adelaide and Harcourt Street hospitals and their move to a purpose-built facility in Tallaght. Transmitted on RTE 1 as part of the "True Lives" strand.
"Gridlock"
101- part early evening School's Quiz presented by Derek Mooney.
"AIB/Nationwide Better Ireland Awards"
24 five-minute profiles of finalists transmitted twice-weekly on RTE 1's Nationwide programme culminating in a live Awards ceremony. The 1997 Awards ceremony featured Afro-Celt Sound System, Paul Brady, Mick Lally among others with awards presented by President Mary McAleese. We also produced the Better Ireland Awards in 1998 and 1999.
"Start Me Up"
Two eight-part series of "Start Me Up" broadcast on RTE 1 and presented by Niall Quinn. This co-production between the Department of Enterprise and Employment and RTE was designed to interest, encourage and advise more people to set up and grow their own businesses.
"TnaG Opening Night"
The official opening night programme for the national Irish language television service Teilifís na Gaeilge, featuring greetings from Mary Robinson, John Bruton and performances from Brian Kennedy and the choir of St Patrick's Cathedral, dance troupe Macnas, Hot House Flower and Niall Toibín.
"The Children of Lir"
A one-hour film for BBC2, S4C and RTE introducing one of Ireland's most compelling mythic tales in a choral interpretation by acclaimed young Irish classical composer Patrick Cassidy, featuring the Tallis choir, narration by Adrian Dunbar, and the composer.
Sample Productions 1990 - 1994:
"Megazone"
27 x 1/2 hour
Young people's video game show, presented by Suzanne Duffy and Peter Burke.
"Velvet Redux Live"
Hour-long live concert film featuring the legendary '60s band 'The Velvet Underground' on their European reunion tour. Broadcast Channel Four (UK)
Foreign Sales RTV (Portugal), T.V. Canal Plus (Spain), Austria T.V., SBS (Australia), NHK (Japan), WDR (Germany), Austria TV (Austria), Filmnet ( Germany)
"Curious - The Velvet Underground in Europe"
One-hour documentary about The Velvet Underground. This film was shot on Super 16mm and followed the band on their reunion European Tour during the summer of 1993. This documentary is on permanent exhibition in the Museum of Radio & Television in New York.
"Electric Ballroom"
Fourteen half-hour music programmes shot at the U2 owned Clarence Hotel in Dublin : this series featured live music from bands like The Cranberries, Hot House Flowers, Therapy? and interviews and profiles on performers. Foreign Sales Channel Four (UK)
"Seal at the Point"
A one-hour performance film shot at The Point Theatre in Dublin, this film featured Grammy nominee 'Seal'.
"On the Waterfront"
Fourteen half-hour rock music series shot at the Waterfront Cafe in Dublin. This series was presented by stars from Alan Parker's film "The Commitments".
Foreign Sales Channel Four (UK), UTV (Northern Ireland)
"Caught in the Act"
Nine one-hour Sunday night entertainment shows presented by Bryan Murray.
"Concert Specials"
Two one-hour special concerts featuring the talents of two of the biggest stars in American country music; K. D. Lang and Rodney Crowell.
Foreign Sales Channel Four (UK), SVT (Sweden), PBS (USA).
"Blackboard Jungle"
This All Ireland schools quiz presented by Ray D'Arcy was consistently the highest rated home-produced programme on Network 2. With 99 programmes per series, it was transmitted three times a week for six years.
Sample Productions 1986 - 1990:
"Town & Country"
4 x 1 hour
Town & Country is a series of four performance/documentary programmes, presented by John Prine, reflecting the increasing popularity of country music.
Foreign Sales Channel Four (UK), TVE (Spain), SVT (Sweden), Video Music (Italy), Avro (Holland), P.B.S. (U.S.A.).
"The Session II"
6 x 1 hour
The second Session featured Lyle Lovett, John Prine, The Chieftains, Mary Black, Guy Clarke, Joe Ely and Cowboy Jack Clement, and Don Everly.
Awards: The Session - John Prine/Lyle Lovett
First Prize 1991 12th Annual ACE Awards
'International Music Special or Series'
Foreign Sales Channel Four (UK), Arts & Entertainment (USA), 13 WNET (USA), SBS (Australia), TVI (Finland).
"The Session I"
13 x 1 hour
This series featured artists such as Nanci Griffith, Elvis Costello and The Pogues.
Awards: The Session - Elvis Costello/Donal Lunny
Third Prize 1988 Celtic Film Festival
Foreign Sales Channel Four (UK), Arts & Entertainment (USA) , BSB (UK), SVT (Sweden), NHK (Japan)
"Number One"
80 x 1/2 hours
Number One, a fast moving pop quiz, presented by Ian Dempsey with team captains Gerry Ryan, Dave Fanning and Joe Elliot, enjoyed a successful run of five years on RTE 1.
"Live in Dublin"
8 x 40 mins
The series of eight live concert programmes featured a wide range of contemporary musicians in performance in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.
Foreign Sales SBC (Singapore)
"A Christmas Story"
This Christmas night special was written and produced by Frontier Films and starred Colm Wilkinson, Nanci Griffith and Barry McGovern.
"Encore"
17 x 1/2 hours
The two series of the entertainment series, presented by Bryan Murray.
"Megamix" 33 x 1/2 hour
Megamix - presented by Kevin Sharkey and Flo McSweeney was Ireland's most successful pop music programme. In two series, a total of 33 half-hours were filmed in the Synod Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Foreign Sales SBS (Australia)