CAST&CREW
When it came to finding interviewees, our producer used personal connections to find a range of different people with different perspectives of what it is like living in Liverpool as an irish person. We had various trial interviews with different people before we decided on the three right people for us.
Ryan McFadden, Neil Finnegan, Lara Kennedy.
CAST
NAME: Ryan McFadden
AGE: 30
LIVED IN LIVERPOOL FOR: 7 years
WHY DID WE CHOOSE HIM?: We chose to interview Ryan because, having lived in Liverpool for seven years, he offers a unique perspective on the Irish experience in the city, blending personal insight with a deep connection to both his heritage and his new home. His story differs from Neil's and Lara's as he did not move to this city for university nor employment purposes, but just because he felt drawn towards it.
NAME: Neil Finnegan
AGE: 34
LIVED IN LIVERPOOL FOR: 10 years
WHY DID WE CHOOSE HIM?: We chose to speak with Neil because, after ten years in Liverpool and now raising a family here, his story captures how Irish identity evolves across generations and how roots are re-established in a new city. Emphasising the continuous connection between Ireland and Liverpool.
NAME: Lara Kennedy
AGE: 21
LIVED IN LIVERPOOL FOR: 2 years
WHY DID WE CHOOSE HER?: We chose to interview Lara Kennedy because, as a 21-year-old university student navigating life in Liverpool, she represents a younger generation of Irish people who are creating their own identities away from home, balancing tradition and their heritage whilst building a future in a new city.
CREW
Our crew is made up of 3 members, Tom Lockett as Director, Hollie Stone as producer and Ben Melling as Editor. As we are a small crew, we found ourselves taking on extra responsibility as each role. For example, Hollie also became the cinematographer, Ben became the boom operator, and Tom became Cheif lighting technician.
NAME: Tom Lockett
ROLE: Director
Tom played a central role in shaping the film’s vision and ensuring its message was clearly communicated. He was responsible for overseeing all stages of production, from developing the concept and selecting interview questions, to guiding the storytelling and visual style. Tom worked closely with the crew to plan shoots, conduct interviews, and ensure the filming environment allowed participants to feel comfortable and open.
"I came up with the idea to make a documentary about the connection between Ireland and Liverpool, as I was inspired by how many Irish people I had met in Liverpool."
NAME: Hollie Stone
ROLE: Producer
Hollie was responsible for managing the practical and logistical aspects of the production. She organised shoot schedules, coordinated with interviewees, secured locations, and ensured everything ran smoothly behind the scenes. Hollie also handled arranging equipment and worked closely with the director to keep the project on track from pre-production to post-production. Her strong communication and organisation skills were key in creating a professional and supportive environment during filming,
"As a Northern Irish person myself living in Liverpool, I became very attached to this documentary topic, and I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with my culture and identity"
NAME: Ben Melling
ROLE: Editor
Ben played a crucial role in shaping the final narrative of the film. He was responsible for reviewing all the footage, selecting the most powerful moments from the interviews, and piecing them together to create a compelling story. Ben worked closely with the director to ensure the tone, pacing, and message of the documentary reflected the original vision. He also managed the technical aspects of post-production, including sound design, colour grading, and incorporating music to enhance emotional impact.
"I wanted the stories of the interviewees to be enhanced and for the audience to understand how brave of a decision it is to leave their home, and go searching for a new one and a new life".