Soilsiú Teoranta/Vinegar Hill

Address: Príomh Sráid, Gort an Choice, Tír Chonaill. (Main Street, Gortahork, Co. Donegal)
Telephone: +353 74 9180730
Mobile: +353 86 8118112
Fax: +353 74 9180730
Website: http:// www.vinegarhill.com
Email: info@vinegarhill.com

Personnel:
David Rane - Managing Director/Producer: +353 86 8118112
Neasa Ní Chianáin - Director: +353 87 2785216

Company Description:

Vinegar Hill Productions was set up at the end of 1996 as an independent Irish film and television company. Concentrating mainly on developing, scripting, and producing feature films, shorts, documentary, animation and broadcast television programmes, the company now has its regional base in Co. Donegal. The current creative directors of the company are David Rane and Neasa Ní Chianáin. In 2004, Vinegar Hill were awarded MEDIA Slate funding, and in 2005 Vinegar Hill also opened a Northern Ireland office in Derry, and are developing and producing two single docs and a series in the North.

David Rane has produced 10, and directed 3 documentaries for national and international broadcasters with Vinegar Hill Productions, including the award-winning "Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie" (which won Best Feature Documentary at the 2004 Celtic Film Festival), "Belfast, My Love", "No Man's Land" and "Chiapas". He has also produced and directed short fiction films, such as "Heroes...just for one day", "It's all in the Jeans" and "This Little Piggy" (produced only). David also produced the BAFTA-winning animated film, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" for Channel 4/ S4C and the IFTA nominated 'Dick Terrapin' for RTE/IFB/Arts Council.

David was a graduate of both the M.A. Film and Television course at the University of London (Goldsmiths College) in 1993 and the EAVE producers' programme in 1999. He served on the Executive Committee of Film Makers Ireland (the Irish Producers' representative body) for 4 years, and has also taught film-making at both the University of London and the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Genre:
Documentary, drama series, feature film, shorts, animation

Facilities/Services:
Based in our Donegal office, our facilities suite provides off/on-line Avid Editing, Pro-Tools sound editing, and HDV/Beta SP/DVCAM/VHS dubbing.

Our equipment and facilities are available for dry hire, or with our own Picture/Sound Editor.

We are particularly suited to independent film and video-makers and welcome enquiries from low-budget productions. We offer a sliding scale of hire charges depending on your budget. If you require any further information or wish to schedule a booking please contact us.

Languages:
English, Irish, French, Spanish

In Development:

In development through our MEDIA Slate are:

The Camshaft Brothers - a 52 minute doc for TG4, development funded by The Irish FIlm Board.

Inside Christania - a feature length documentary co-production with Radiator Films, Denmark, funded by MEDIA and Udaras na Gaeltachta

When I Was Eleven - a 10 part series for RTE, development funded by RTE, ILBF and MEDIA.

Stiffs - a feature film, funded by The Irish Film Board and MEDIA.

Draft Dodgers - a 4 part TV drama series, funded by MEDIA and Udaras na Gaeltachta.

Other development projects include:

Lost and Found, a 26 x 11 min animation series

Dorn Lan Duil - a 6 part series for TG4

Pre Production:

Projects in pre-production are:

In Search of The Hamely Tongue - a 52 minute doc for TG4 about the existence of Ulster Scots, as a language and as a culture. Written by Dónall Ó Riagáin and Ian James Parley. (BCI funded - subject to contract)

Current Production:

Current Co-productions:

"Today is Better Than Two Tomorrows"
A feature length documentary about Leh and Bo, twelve-year-old cousins and best friends, who live together in a small hut village on an isolated stretch of the Mekong river, and who will soon be separated, leaving the paddy fields to start new lives.
Directed by Anna Rodgers
Co-production with Antoine Martin Productions (France)
Financed by Planete (France), RTE (Ireland), The Irish Film Board

Current Productions:

"The Punk Angel in our Midst"
A feature length documentary about renowned Gaelic poet Cathal O Searcaigh's unusual relationship with Nepal and its people. This is an intimate pilgrimage with Cathal as he journeys through the hidden villages and capital city of his spiritual home the inspiration for much of his poetry, and faces the contradictions that this society throws up for him.
Directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin
Production finance from RTE, The Irish Film Board, ILBF/NIFTC

"Ri na GCnoc"
A half-hour documentary portrait of one of the last remaining cycling postmen in rural Ireland - Seamus Mulligan, who cycles a 30 mile 250 house route through wind and snow in the shadow of Mount Errigal, Donegal.
Directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin
Financed by TG4

Previous Production:

"Gods, Faeries and Misty Mountains"
A 25 minute documentary directed by Neasa Ni Chianain for RTE and The Irish Film Board about the dreams and aspirations of four women, who changed their lives and moved to Donegal in the hunt for a place that they could call home.

"Frank, Ned & Busy Lizzie"
Frank Ned McCafferty, a 70 year old bachelor farmer living alone in a remote part of North-West Donegal, is struggling to keep his farm going. He only has the help of young lads, who live in the neighbouring townlands. With the arrival of Lizzie, a 40 year old travelling saleswoman from Bridgend, 50 miles away, who 'adopts' Frank and starts to clean his house, cook for him and keep him company, Frank thinks his days of hardship are over. Winner of Best Feature Documentary at The Celtic Film Festival in Scotland, March 2004. Sold to ZDF/ARTE for French and German television. Financed by TG4, Irish Film Board, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge.

"This Little Piggy"
Short drama funded by RTÉ / Irish Film Board Short Cuts scheme, written and directed by Chris McHallem, and starring Christopher Eccleston. Premiered Cork Film Festival October 2001.

"No Man's Land"
52 min. documentary for RTÉ examining the asylum-seeking process for refugees recently arrived in Ireland. Screened June 2001.

"Sharppikes"
A Multimedia project aimed at disadvantaged young people in rural areas. Funded by the Media programme of the European Union.

"Hitch'd"
12 minute drama. A backpacker stumbles onto a suitcase full of stolen money, and inadvertently hitches a ride with it's owners. Written and directed by Joe Winters. Premiered Galway Film Fleadh 2001.

"It's All in the Jeans"
25 min drama. A black comedy about a recluse whose life falls apart when his jeans are stolen by a local youth. Selected for Galway Film Fleadh and Cork Film Festival 2000.

"The J-Wanderer"
2 x 26 min documentary following a young Irish student's experiences in the US on a J1 Visa. Broadcast on RTÉ June 2000

"Belfast, My Love"
90 min documentary about a Belfast filmmaker who returns to his hometown 30 years after witnessing its descent into war. Co-producer: Les Films D'ici (Paris). Broadcast on ARTÉ (France) and RTÉ.

"Little Town, Big Circus"
52 min documentary taking a look behind the scenes at the Tour de France coming to a small town in Ireland. Broadcast on RTÉ and RTBF (Belgium).

"Clare's First Day"
25 min documentary for RTÉ as part of 'True Lives' series.

"Chiapas"
54 min documentary - winner of 2 best documentary awards. Funded by RTE/TG4/Irish Film Board. Also broadcast on Planète (France).

Animation:

"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" (in association with Moving Still) - a 26 minute BAFTA winning animation for Channel 4 and S4C.
Directed by Tim Fernee
Produced by David Rane

"Dick Terrapin" - a 7 minute IFTA-nominated animation for RTE, Irish Film Board and The Arts Council
Directed by Damien O'Connor
Produced by David Rane

For Sale:

"Dick Terrapin" - Network Ireland Television
"Gods, Faeries and Misty Mountains" - Vinegar Hill
"Frank, Ned & Busy Lizzie" - Vinegar Hill
"No Man's Land" - Vinegar Hill
"Chiapas" - Vinegar Hill
"Befast My Love" - Vinegar Hill/Les Films D'Ici (France)
"This Little Piggy" - Network Ireland Television
For all others, please contact producer

Awards:

BAFTA Award 2002 - 'Sir Gawain and The Green Knight'