THE film industry was one of many Arts industries hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, putting many productions on hold. However, tenacious local film production company, ASTRL Pictures, has just completed its third film in lockdown.

‘Mr. Baker’s Wonderful World’, the brainchild of Riagáin Grainger of ASTRL Pictures, is a puppet musical and the filmmaker’s most ambitious project, to date, and features a range of local talent.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Riagáin said: “We officially wrapped ‘Mr. Baker’s Wonderful World’ in mid-April after a very successful production and shoot.

“In total, we had three days of principal photography and an additional week on second unit [filming].”

Riagáin said that the working environment on the set was one of the highlights of the film’s production.

He said: “Even though Covid has been a major strain on the ability to work within the film industry, it didn’t hold us back. Everyone involved was dedicated and committed to making this project the best it could be.

‘Pressure’

“As serious as it gets when the pressure is on, we all were able to have a laugh whilst doing it.”

He continued: “I think that’s what makes the ‘family’ we’ve come to adopt at ASTRL Pictures so different from [anywhere] else. We want to make movies, we want to go as far as we can, but we all want to have fun on the way.”

Overwhelmed by the support he received to make a film of this scale a reality, Riagáin said: “If you were to ask me 12 months ago about this project happening, on a scale this big, I would have just laughed!

“The communal dedication and work ethic of everyone involved is something that is really heart-warming for me.

“The way I view it, this production has ‘Avengers Assembled’ everyone I have ever worked with, in every capacity,” he said, acknowledging the “unlimited goldmine of talent” located in Fermanagh, the “amazing people” who gave him “so much experience” in Manchester, and “everyone else all across the globe” who offered support.

“I’m very proud of this production – it’s my favourite thing I have done; it’s the best thing I have done,” said Riagáin, calling the project an incredible learning experience.

“And [it has offered] reassurance that maybe I can make it in this industry, and a massive confidence boost in my directorial abilities,” he added.

This production ends Riagáin’s educational filmmaking journey, but it has also started him on his next path. “How much better can it get – it’s a puppet musical,” he said.

Festival circuit

The edit of ‘Mr. Baker’s Wonderful World’ is fully finished and has just been submitted into the festival circuit.The film also acts as Riagáin’s final university project in which, all being well, he’ll be graduating from university in the next month or so.

“We hope to have a premiere back home so the cast, crew and pubic can all view before Amazon Prime distributes it on its platform,” said Riágain.

He added: “Once again, a massive thank-you to everyone involved, particularly Roksanna Dawidoska for her continual persevering and work, Daniel Valentine and Luke Taggart for being the best mates and co-workers you could have, and finally, the man himself, John Kane [who plays the title character Mr. Baker].”