Filmmaker urges you to Havagawk at Cavan talent with music videos
Young Cavan filmmaker Finn Keenan has just completed a four year degree in the prestigious IADT, and faced with a summer back home in Cavan, he was anxious to not let the grass grow under his feet. He has taken it upon himself to film and promote bands and artists at Cavan landmarks and lesser known locations in a unique project.
"I was kind of dreading being back in Cavan for the summer," admitted Finn, "but I decided I would embrace it and utilise Cavan instead. There is a mundanity so I wanted to transform it into something extraordinary or surreal. There's a great cultural buzz in Cavan right now and I wanted to do something with it or be part of it."
There is a plethora of musicians, bands, artists, poets and literary types in Cavan that Finn wants to showcase in a unique light. Finn kick-started the project with emerging young Cavan band the Strypes.
"We went up to the grounds of the Kilmore church out near Crossdoney to film a music video. They are a great bunch of young lads to work with, really exciting and stupidly talented. We put the first video up and got an overwhelming response - so I got a great buzz from that.
"I decided then why faff about with it? I set myself the challenge of filming something everyday for it and posting it all online."
Finn's modus operandi is to film the performer in an unusual location to skew people's perceptions and promote Cavan. "I take all kinds of performers, poets, bands, dancers and have them do their thing in a strange unexpected space."
With a myriad of videos on YouTube competing for attention, the idea is to play with the viewer's perception by offering them something different and drawing them in.
"You click into what seems to be a regular music video and then you see a piece of meat hanging beside them so you keep watching. I hope that what I'm doing is an original way to create interest and showcase talent," Finn explains.
The variety of bizarre but landmark locations used so far include the Kilmore church grounds, a butcher shop, the Kinnypottle river, the Dublin road roundabout, a fancy dress shop and the Dunnes Stores underground car park.
"It has got a lot of attention so far so I hope that bands will see it and think right, I want to go even more obscure and weird. It is exciting then to see what way it will develop."
"I am absolutely buzzing. The Cavan arts scene is so supportive and I have had great help from Rhonda Tidy and the Cavan County Council arts office."
To see what it's all about check out youtube/havagawk and the official facebook page.
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