#154 Jake & Luke Morgan - Garry Talks: Film

In this episode of "Garry Talks: Film," host Garry Kelly chats with Irish brothers Jake and Luke Morgan, acclaimed creatives in film and theatre. They discuss growing up in a creative home, their collaborative projects, and the challenges of independent filmmaking in Ireland. Highlights include stories from their childhood, insights into their acclaimed works like "The Boat" and "Froggie," and candid advice for aspiring filmmakers and composers. The Morgans share the realities of working as siblings, the importance of community support, and their passion for storytelling that blends humour, heart, and cultural significance. For more information please visit... www.morganbrothers.ie   - 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. Early Creative Influences and Upbringing (00:00:00) Jake and Luke discuss growing up with limited TV, making their own entertainment, and early fascination with film and creativity. Introduction to the Morgan Brothers (00:00:13) Garry introduces Jake and Luke Morgan, their creative work, and the episode’s focus. Script and Project Development (00:00:36) Discussion about the importance of script, support from Screen Ireland and Creative Europe, and learning the value of time in development. Podcast and Network Credits (00:00:51) Acknowledgment of podcast sponsors and the GK Media Studios Creators Network. First Meeting and Early Collaboration (00:01:10) Garry recalls meeting the brothers, their reputation, and their collaborative dynamic. Creative Childhood and Early Projects (00:02:46) The brothers reflect on their childhood collaborations, making music, and home movies with friends. Creative Environment and Family Influence (00:04:40) How their parents nurtured creativity and the impact of a creative household. Diverging into Film and Music (00:05:28) Jake and Luke’s paths into film school and music, and how their collaboration continued. Music’s Role in Their Work (00:05:54) The importance of music in their projects and their evolution from heavy metal to classical and film scores. Sibling Dynamic and Age Gap (00:06:48) Clarifying their age difference and how to tell them apart. Formative Films and Emotional Impact (00:07:09) Childhood movies that influenced them, first emotional reactions to film, and favourite films. Humour and Film Preferences (00:09:20) How certain comedies shaped their humor and the kind of films they aspire to make. Love for Classics and Film Buffs (00:10:26) Their appreciation for classics like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and There Will Be Blood. Theater vs. Film: Creative Process (00:11:01) Their relationship with theater, its immediacy, and differences from film production. Recent Musical Theatre Project (00:13:40) Discussion of their recent musical theatre production, collaboration with Curt Rosenberg, and touring in Ireland and the UK. The Boat: Short Film Origins (00:16:00) Introduction to their short film "The Boat," its true story basis, and production in Nepal. Making The Boat: Production and Impact (00:16:37) Details on the making of "The Boat," its emotional story, and structuring their business around similar projects. From Corporate Work to Creative Projects (00:17:45) How corporate videography led to the story for "The Boat" and the transition to creative producing. Brendan Gleeson’s Involvement (00:19:44) Brendan Gleeson joining as executive producer and the impact on the film’s journey. Transition to Feature Films and Irish Language (00:20:48) Moving from shorts to features, passion for the Irish language, and making an Irish-language feature. Self-Financing Froggie and Community Support (00:22:00) How they self-financed "Froggie," community support in Galway, and the challenges of independent production. Production Challenges and Learning (00:23:44) Difficulties of low-budget filmmaking, the importance of community, and lessons learned from the process. Screen Ireland and Creative Europe Funding (00:25:08) Securing development funding for their next project and the benefits of more time for script development. Industry Realities: Funding and Distribution (00:27:11) Financial realities of self-financing, challenges in selling independent Irish-language films, and the importance of state agency backing. Cultural Differences in Film Business (00:30:25) Comparing Irish and American approaches to self-promotion and the value of agency support. Advice for Development Funding Applications (00:31:44) Tips for applying for development funding, the importance of story, and the application process. Working with Script Editors and Collaboration (00:33:36) The role of script editors, collaborative writing, and experiences in writers’ rooms. Financial Survival in the Creative Industry (00:36:00) How they manage financially, the importance of adaptability, and scaling their company. Emotional Support and Sibling Partnership (00:38:02) How being brothers helps them support each other through the ups and downs of creative work. Why Not a 9-to-5 Job? (00:39:17) The appeal of creative freedom, variety, and the reality of working in the arts. Rewarding Moments and Audience Connection (00:39:56) A memorable experience screening their film in Santa Barbara and the unique rewards of creative work. Advice for Aspiring Composers and Directors (00:41:25) Advice for those wanting to become composers or directors: listen, watch widely, and draw inspiration from all arts. Working with Composers and Directors (00:44:03) Tips for collaborating with composers and directors, emphasising communication and compromise. Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up (00:46:27) Closing remarks, gratitude, and podcast credits.