Alumnus of the Month – Carl Finnegan
Monday, December 2nd, 2013 at 9:22 am | Alumni Interviews, News & Events
Carl Finnegan is originally from Limerick and moved to Dublin to attend secondary school. He is a graduate of IADT Dun Laoghaire as well as The Gaiety School of Acting’s Youth Theatre Company and One Year Part Time programme. He is the Artistic Director of Pack A Punch Theatre Company which fund raises for Down Syndrome Ireland. Currently, he is in post production on his 1st short film ‘Two Gallants’ -an adaptation of the classic James Joyce story which he co-wrote/produced/directed & acted in. You can view a trailer of ‘Two Gallants’ online here.
1. Did you always want to work in the film/acting business?
I always wanted to be an actor. It was something I realised while I was a teenager in secondary school. Prior to this I had excelled at art at school which was no doubt a sign. I started in youth theatre at the Gaiety and then progressed to the Youth Theatre Company (YTC) with Tara Derrington. It wasn’t encouraged by family as a career path particularly by my father. This in part led to me continuing my studies part time in the performance course while working on my degree in E-Business at IADT during the day. I ended up in the best place possible as IADT is the National Film School and I ran the Drama Soc at IADT for 4 years producing shows annually. In fact Patrick Sutton opened my last show at the college which I was grateful for. There was a period post college where I entered the business world and I was working in corporate banking at the time of the banking collapse in Ireland. Losing my job at the time helped me reevaluate the type of work that mattered to me. From then on in I developed a burning desire to continue with acting for the rest of my life.
2. How did you start off in the business?
The first role I landed was on CBBC show called ‘Custer’s Last Stand Up’. I was on a casting file in the Gaiety School’s YTC and I was called to audition for it. I met with Dearbhla Walsh and Ferdia MacAnna. I wasn’t right for the part however Dearbhla had said she would find a role for me and true to her word she did. That enabled me to get my first agent and put me in a good position going forward.
3. Any tips for aspiring actors/film makers?
I think you have to love it in order to deal with the challenges. Naivety which I certainly had in the beginning can be an advantage but ultimately you will discover that it is a hard business. My advice then would be to do it hard. Leaving no stone unturned. I think it’s difficult for me to give advice to actors as it really depends on what stage or level they are currently at in their development and I’m learning more every day. There can be a lot of focus for actors on the right headshot, showreel, agent, training, casting websites and networking. All of these things are important but I feel you need to get your own original work out there and you need to develop the skills to do that. If two or three people agree on a common purpose or goal I believe anything can be achieved. The best advice I would give to aspiring actors/filmmakers would be to train and then look around that class and you will find others like yourself who are looking to achieve the same goal of making theatre and film happen. That is certainly how you could begin to create your own work and I do believe every actor has their own story to tell.
4. What did you like most about being at The Gaiety School of Acting?
The tuition I received which stayed with me for years to come. All my training was practical. The performance course had us constantly presenting our own work which gave me an insight on how to produce work. I used the skills I learned to set up a Drama Soc at IADT as well as my own theatre company last year (Pack A Punch Theatre). In hindsight it was a great place to meet people who I would know for many years to come.
5.Favourite actor?
I wouldn’t know how to pick a favourite, I love so many. Cillian Murphy in ‘Misterman’ made a huge impression on me. That performance really made me reevaluate my own work. I think it’s important to see as much theatre as possible. I loved seeing John Hurt in ‘Krapps Last Tape’ at the Gate as well as Tom Vaughan Lawlor in ‘Howie the Rookie’ recently. Deirdre Donnelly I think is amazing on stage as well.
6.Favourite writer?
Frank McGuinness is a firm favourite of mine. Certainly a reason we picked ‘Someone who’ll watch over me’ as our inaugural production for Pack A Punch Theatre. Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Martin McDonagh, Enda Walsh and JM Synge.
7.Favourite film?
I always say the top spot is a tie between Star Wars, The Godfather & Taxi Driver. Those films are so truly original and inspirational to me, even in how they were made. Blade Runner is a special one and I have to say Rocky is well up there too.
8. Who has been the most influential person in your life so far?
My partner and also my close friends are the biggest influence and support network in my life. I’m lucky to have people around me that I can learn and grow from.
9.Earliest memory?
My first stage role in an xmas nativity play. The story of baby Jesus. I played a door. The cardboard door was strapped to my back. When Mary and Joseph knocked at my door, I turned around and said there was ‘No room at the Inn’.
10.What would be your idea of the perfect day?
I would love another day in New York again real soon. I love visiting art museums and absorbing culture over there. Throw in some fine dining and good company and that would be just perfect