From Cavan To Cuba

The funding campaign (initiated in April 2014) to gather gold for the A Captain Unafraid coffers was called “Set the Boat Afloat.” A year and a half later, the boat has been boat set afloat and brought back to home port. After a long jaunt abroad, in Cuba, Cavan, New York, Cork, and manys the island republic in between, the good ship "A Captain Unafraid" has finally docked. Killinkere and Lough Oughtar, Cavan, was where the last of filming was done. Cavan was a more appropriate port to bring “the good ship” home than you might think. Even though the Breffni County is land-locked and lake dappled, Killinkere, Cavan is where Johnny’s parents emigrated from in 1831.

Our plan is to have all the post production finished by April next year. The DVD and soundtrack will be shipped to those who supported the campaign then too. It took longer that we'd imagined. Yet, given we were nine months convincing the Cuban authorities to let us make a film there, and at times it seemed like we were attempting to break into Fort Knox, I can confidently say, we done good! And that 'we' is meant as said. Besides myself, Billy, and Pat's work, completion of our filming in Cuba was achieved with the help of UNEAC or the Union of Artists and Writers of Cuba. Our contacts in said country, through trojan effort, completed the taxing paperwork and many phone calls that allowed us to film there. On top of that, once we arrived in Havana, until we left Cuba two weeks later, we were given the Royal treatment!

A Cuban Rebel or Mambí

Mc Sorley's Bar, 1888

Due to the U.S. embargo, we had no funding campaign for our Cuban expedition, it was paid, for the most part, out of my own pocket and with the help of a few smaller donations that came in through my music website. Speaking of websites, I intend to put together one for A Captain Unafraid, watch this space. I've also been working on an 'A Captain Unafraid' trailer.

Our filming in Cavan was sponsored by Johnny's great granddaughter Cynthia, who (along with her sister Kristin) has been a stalwart of our 'strange adventure' from the very start. 'Aerial filming Ireland' were employed for our filming in Cavan, check out the first image in the newsletter! I was busy as ever with b-roll and got some lovely shots of General Sheridan's homestead which still remains in Killinkere, County Cavan. It's a beautiful old ruin I'm sure you'll agree.

Johnny says that before they left for America, his family were "friends, neighbours, and indeed related to the parents of General Sheridan." This is the ruins of the Sheridan family homestead.

So, I'd like to again thank everyone that has helped to make this possible, if you are on the mailing list there is a good chance you helped bring all this about, go raibh míle, míle maith agaibh go léir! (A million, million thanks to all of you).

Filming A Captain Unafraid, though it has been an amazing experience, was no easy task. For instance, everyone involved in this project also has a day job-I was busy gigging and busking until last month, Billy was working as a barman, Pat works in a print and photolab in Sweden, John O' Leary holds down two teaching jobs, Aodhagán has a wedding filming business..... as the bard of Cork, John Spillane, ofttimes says, fair play to us!

The main work left to do relates to the illustrated sequences. So far we have completed drawings for: outside Johnny's childhood home by the East River, sailors being recruited in mcSorley's Bar, Johnny's dynamite expedition to Colombia in 1888, and (as in the image above) a group of Mambís (Cuban rebels) dealing with a traitorous sailor.

The illustrated sequences that remain to be completed will detail-Johnny captaining The Maine to her final resting place three miles from Havana harbour, and an expedition of Johnny's aboard The Three Friends. This last 'Three Friends' expedition became the only naval battle of the Cuban War of Independence. Test runs or 'animatics' of all the illustrated sequences (bar one) have been completed.

Myself and Billy are working away on the soundtrack, and as well as that, the soundscapes for the illustrations, both of which are nearing completion. Here's a tune myself and Billy came up with that will be on the soundtrack, and another of my own devising. Another great boon we received recently is that 'The Cuban Cowboys' agreed to let us use their music for free. Three of their tunes 'El Capitán,' 'The Devils Dance,' and El 'Danzón de Noventa Millas' will be heard in the film. To give an example of how beneficial this is to us-we got a quote of $2000 for using a minute and thirty seconds of one of 'The Dirty Three's' tunes. So, fair play to Jorge and the Cuban Cowboys! Jorge happens to be Cuban/Irish American himself. His great great grandfather from County Clare charged up San Juan Hill with Col. Roosevelt and never came down. He met a Cuban girl on those dizzy heights and Jorge and his family are their progeny!

Heres a blogpost I did recently, on some of my musing after our Cuban adventures, it is possibly a bit morose, or maybe its just me (the way I am). Interesting it is, none the less, have a read.

We are planning to have an exhibition of John O' Leary's work in both Cork and Killarney to try and recoup some of the costs. So, who e'er wants to purchase some of the deadly drawings Mr. O' Leary has been producing, then would be your chance. I'll keep ya'll posted. I'll send out an illustration specific newsletter next time, giving the time and date, should be early next year. Until then, Nollaig fé shéan is fé mhaise daoibh!

'Fearless' Séarlas O Briain