This film was produced by Sean Sweeney for the What's the Story short film competition which took place at the 2024 Rathmullan Film Festival. Here are Sean Sweeney's thoughts and reflections on the Power Sharing:
A former lead electrical engineer Albert Smallwoods (MBE) reflects on his working life in the Coolkeeragh power plant, and the unseen struggles involved in keeping it running.
Working with the archival footage was an interesting and rewarding 'challenge', as we had to be really imaginative with how to create a film using existing footage.
I decided to create a narrative documentary. I researched the Coolkeeragh power plant, and contacted a former engineer who worked there for over 40 years. He agreed to an interview, and it was the recorded interview audio content that gave direction to the film. Using the storyboard training we received, I planned out a beginning, middle and end to the film. I edited the archive footage around the interview audio. I found that I was able to use most of the Coolkeeragh archive footage in the film. It was good to have the other archive footage available as well, as I was able to use some of those visuals to align to, and add to the storyline. I chose the background music which I felt suited the general mood of the film, but made sure to keep the narrative voice to the fore in the balance.
Overall I really enjoyed the film making process using the archive film, and the 'challenge' it provided. Thank you to Bronagh, Camilla, Kieran and Laura for all their help during the film making process.