Congratulations on your recent win Karla, How does it feel to have won ‘Creative Professional’ of the year in the Business Awards for Network Cork?

It was a wonderful moment, to be selected from the hugely talented finalists in the creative category. It feels very special to receive affirmation for all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. Filming can be a very long and intense process and so much of it hangs on the early preproduction when the creative thread has to be established in order for the campaign to be successful.

What inspired you to start your company?

I come from a background in TV and so it was something that I had been wanting to do for a while. Once my children had started primary it felt like the right moment and so I decide to go for it. I also believed the I had something more to offer than what was currently available in the video production industry in Co Cork. My background in Film and TV production meant that I had the skills to offer clients support and guidance structuring, coaching and generating campaigns, rather than just generating visual content. As a video agency we help our clients create standout content from the very core of the idea, through to script and final video delivery. I work with award winning TV broadcast professionals with years of experience and creativity that they bring to bear on every project. These means that each location design, lighting set up and shoot is carefully managed to the highest level.

What is your background in the medium?

I started out as an actress/director after leaving University with a degree from UCL and Central School of Speech & Drama. I spent a good number of years working in theatre and TV before moving into broadcasting. I had always been interested in photography having won a scholarship to Berkeley University in California to do photography and Drama some years earlier, so the move was quite a natural one. I first dipped my toe into TV with Granada Studios who produce Coronation Street amongst other things and I got to work on several shows from the soap to dramas such as Band of Gold and to live entertainment; This Morning with Richard & Judy. I moved into film and worked on Murder She Wrote at Ardmore Studios, Dublin before returning to TV to work on the hugely successful ‘Time Team’ and ‘No Going Back’ for Channel 4. As well as various live, documentary, dramas and entertainment shows across the networks.

 What has been the most high profile project you’ve worked on with Made To Measure?

That would have to be with Graham Norton. Practically everyone has heard of Graham, so even the locations for working with him are kept confidential. Other than that I have covered a lot of projects with high profile Ministers such as Simon coveney and Michael McGrath, Literary characters such as Derek Mahon to Michael Palin and artists such as Rachel Doolin and our local Audrey Cantillon.

What has been your personal favourite project?

That is a difficult question, each project is unique.

I am mad about whales, dolphins and seals and have worked on a couple of projects that have required boats, ribs and drones to capture these beautiful marine creatures. The preparation is pretty intense with specialist underwater equipment, but the anticipation of capturing these creatures on film is so exciting and the moment that they appear is such an honour.

Having said that I do love working with people and I really enjoyed a project we covered a while back, focusing on artists in their studios and capturing the behind the scenes creative process.

Creating a piece to celebrate the very first annual holiday in honour of St Brigid was also a special project.

What’s your favourite part of the creative process?

I love brainstorming the concept, and visualising the flow into a story board, but being on location filming is always the best, intense and rewarding process. Things are unpredictable despite the most detailed planning, so you are always kept on your toes. I really enjoy directing and coaching people and encouraging people to be their very best selves on camera. I am big on detail and so always looking for the most creative and evocative locations that add to the piece.

Part of Made to Measure Films mission is to also help high profile companies, semi state companies, and FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) companies tell their stories using broadcast standard production values. Really important strategic messaging by large companies can sometimes get lost in the noise of social media and needs major campaigns with authority to cut through to the public. That is what we create high profile films that look more like TV programmes than social media posts.

As a creative what about Kinsale inspires you?

Kinsale is a thriving and ambitious town, with so many diverse business people with fresh and creative aspirations that it in many ways it is the perfect fit. Plus the backdrop is stunning as we all know. The town must be the most photographed in Ireland at this point and that is just the town. We are surrounded by an exceptional cinematic landscape and the potential is huge for international storytelling. We are always happy to hear from new writers with ideas with main stream commercial potential. Locations for both corporate and broadcast projects in the area is exceptional.

Why did you choose to set up the business in Kinsale?

I have lived in Kinsale since 2002 so it was a natural choice. Kinsale in terms of business has an international dimension with a number of American multinationals in the area with whom we have partnered on a number of projects. It is also the gateway to the WAW and we have produced many projects promoting tourism and culture with Fáilte Ireland and Cork County Council. It is also close to Cork City so we can take advantage of the business and networking opportunities on offer. I work with professional crews and Cork is a good base to source contract crews. Finally some of our projects take us overseas and it is important to have a major airport close by, with Cork airport on our doorstep that makes travelling for work much easier.

What’s your favourite thing about living in Kinsale?

I would say it is such an eclectic mix of heritage, food, entertainment and quirky shops that is always energising. It is also a very friendly, progressive town that is hugely supportive of local businesses. I received great support from local businesses and the Chamber when I first started my company, and that kindness and affirmation is invaluable. Over the last 22 years I have formed many close friendships with local people that are an important part of my life and well being.