#150 Siobhán Ní Ghadhra - Garry Talks: Film

In this debut episode of "Garry Talks: Film," host Garry interviews Emmy-winning producer Siobhán Ní Ghadhra of Danú Media. Siobhán shares her journey from early days in Irish language media to international Emmy success, and discusses the evolution of Ireland’s film industry, especially in the west. She offers insights on balancing creative work with business, the challenges of regional production, and the importance of resilience, networking, and problem-solving. The episode highlights Siobhán’s passion for storytelling, her advocacy for regional development, and practical advice for aspiring producers in today’s competitive media landscape.   - Support this podcast by joining our tribe today at www.GarryTalks.com - Please follow Garry Talks on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.  Please follow GKMedia.ie on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok.  Most importantly – please subscribe to this Podcast. Podcast Introduction (00:00:07) Garry introduces Siobhán, her achievements, and the episode’s main topics. Winning the Emmy (00:00:33) Siobhán describes attending and winning at the Emmy Awards, including her surreal experiences. Podcast Sponsorship and Network Info (00:00:51) Mentions of podcast sponsors and the GK Media Studios Creators Network. Siobhán’s Emmy Night Stories (00:01:30) Siobhán recounts the events and celebrations around winning the Emmy, including the flight home. Early Career and Irish Language Background (00:06:15) Siobhán discusses her upbringing, education, and early influences in Irish language media. First Steps in the Industry (00:07:45) Siobhán talks about her first jobs, applying for entry-level positions, and learning on the job. Concorde Studios Experience (00:12:28) Her time at Concorde Studios, learning industry basics, and the importance of hands-on experience. Industry Growth in the West (00:15:44) Discussion on changes in the Irish media industry, especially in the West, and the evolving workforce. Transition to Telegael (00:19:12) Siobhán’s move to Telegael, her roles, and the growth of international co-productions. Work-Life Balance and Organization (00:21:34) Siobhán shares how she manages a busy family and work life, and her need for organisation. Starting Danú Media (00:25:31) The decision to start Danú Media with her husband, motivations, and early challenges. Taking Over Ros na Rún (00:26:19) How Siobhán was approached to take over Ros na Rún, the transition, and the legacy of Máire Ní Thuathail. Lessons from Máire Ní Thuathail (00:29:23) What Siobhan learned from Máire about leadership, confidence, and empathy. Family-Friendly Work and Ros na Rún’s Impact (00:31:58) The importance of work-life balance in the industry and Ros na Rún’s unique role. Working with Her Husband (00:33:16) Insights into working with her husband, their dynamic, and how they manage creative differences. COVID-19 and Company Direction (00:35:20) How the pandemic changed their work patterns and led to a focus on developing their own projects. Buying Out the Production Company (00:37:42) The financial and logistical process of buying out the company and securing Ros na Rún. Ros na Rún’s National Importance (00:38:54) The significance of Ros na Rún as a rural drama and its impact on Irish media. Celebrity Cameos and Audience Engagement (00:39:54) Stories about celebrity guests like Conan O’Brien and the importance of audience connection. Danú Media’s Successes and Board Roles (00:43:45) Siobhán’s involvement in successful projects and her roles on various industry boards. Regional Development in Irish Media (00:46:29) Challenges and opportunities for media production in the West of Ireland. Incentives and Infrastructure for Regional Production (00:48:23) Discussion on tax credits, infrastructure, and the need for more regional production. Sustaining Regional Industry Growth (00:53:39) The importance of long-running series and large-scale productions for regional industry development. Barriers and Solutions for Regional Studios (00:54:17) Obstacles to building studios and attracting productions to the regions. Visionaries and Industry Pioneers (00:56:58) The need for big-picture thinking and historical context of industry development. Current and Upcoming Projects (00:57:42) Danú Media’s current projects, festival runs, and upcoming releases. English and Irish Language Slate (00:58:53) Danú Media’s development of both English and Irish language projects and international collaborations. International Co-Productions and Funding (01:00:22) The necessity of international partnerships and the challenges of funding. Networking and Industry Relationships (01:02:00) How to build relationships in the industry through networking and attending markets. Advice for Aspiring Producers (01:04:10) Siobhán’s advice on learning, networking, and taking opportunities in production. Advice for Working with Producers (01:05:51) Tips for collaborating with producers, focusing on solutions and a proactive attitude. Podcast Closing (01:06:55) Wrap-up and acknowledgments of podcast sponsors.