The Reel NYC, by Jenny Mc Quaile

Catching my breath at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge

Dubliner, Jenny McQuaile gives us the low-down on her New York experience as a Documentary Production student in Brooklyn College.  
Describe your career path to date... 'I have spent the last 10 years working as a journalist in Dublin and London, and the last four traveling around the world. I was living out of a backpack, writing to eat and to sleep when I realized that four years and four continents is probably enough for even the most wondrous of souls.On New Years eve last year, I decided that I wanted to branch out from being a celebrity/entertainment reporter. I loved the media world but traveling had broadened my viewpoint and had undoubtedly changed me as a journalist. I had met many different kinds of people and experienced some fascinating ways of life. I decided I wanted to give people, communities and cultures a chance to share their stories with the world. This is how I came to the decision to study Documentary Film Production.' 
What made you choose to study in New York?'I did research film production courses in Ireland but none of them were specializing in documentary making. I also came to realize that most of the film courses in Ireland are quite academic. My desire to experience a wide range of real-world film set situations needed to be fulfilled outside of Ireland.

An Empire State of Mind!

As soon as I saw that approximately 85% of the Documentary Production course content in Brooklyn College was directly related to film-making skills, I was sold. As a mature student with closely related industry experience already under my belt, an emphasis on discussing things hypothetically was not an option for me.' 
Has your financial investment been justified so far? 'I was vindicated in my decision to fork out thousands of dollars to come here in my first week. My production class professor is a real life director who has worked with Spike Lee and The Muppets, he has made numerous commercials, TV shows and movies and he knows what he is talking about when he tells us about the industry. His anecdotes bring the class to life.  

Posing for friends and family with the Manhattan skyline...

The diversity of experience to be found amongst my class mates is also inspiring in itself. My college friends and I spend the evenings attending independent film screenings in Brooklyn's B.A.Mcinematek together and brainstorming new project idea's for assignments.'

How do you plan to make the most of your time in N.Y.C from a career viewpoint?

'Don't let the sun go down on you...'

'New York city challenges me.Not many people get to say they work in the film or TV industry and I want to be one of the lucky ones. Every corner I sit on I get inspiration from passers by. I plan to do as many internships as I can, go to as many casting calls and fetch as much coffee as humanly possible until I get to where I want to be. As everybody knows, getting paid work as a professional is all about the experience you have. Every other day I am getting emails for work experience casting calls. If you want to work in film/tv you will get the break you need in New York . That kind of opportunity range and scale is just not there in Ireland for me.'
Any advice for YOUNG BUCKS at home reading this thinking of studying abroad? 'The financial cost of studying abroad is not feasible for everyone but what I have learned throughout my 30 years is not to shut yourself off from any opportunity. Now that I am here I plan to grasp every shot I get with both hands and love every second of it.'

 

Thomas Hardwick shows us... Hard Work gets you places

(Photo Belongs to the NotreDameWebsite)

Back in 1920's the New York press coined the nickname 'Fighting Irish' as a characterization of the Notre Dame athletic teams. The New York Daily News columns sensationalized qualities such as determination and tenacity by attaching them to the high performance athletic capabilities. Harking back from the famine years, the mainstream American psyche was once more getting used to the association of hard work and endurance with all that was Irish in the U.S.A. As part of my own personal quest for Irish Young Bucks making their mark in New York, I crossed paths with another home away from home Dubliner; Thomas Hardwick. As Ireland's latest example of how endurance and drive can help one climb the ladder stateside, Hardwick is showing us all how hard work yields a fruitful harvest.  A bricklayer by trade, Thomas joined the flocks of Irish forced to seek work abroad when the recession hit the construction industry. Throughout his youth and into his early adult years his love for his local North Dublin community had long been established through his commitment to playing for St. Vincents G.A.A team. However, like many young Irish, he headed for the United States via Australia to see what lay beyond the Irish economically depressed soil.  

John Duddy and Thomas Hardwick (Photo Belongs to OldWorldBoxingPhotostream)

'Golden Gloves' Champion March 2010...
According to the Irish Echo Hardwick was the first native Irish fighter in recent memory to win the New York Daily News Golden Gloves title. Press reports from the March 2010 amateur bout tell us how Hardwick found himself on the floor in the first round. Following through with his goal of dedicating a win to the memory of home, Hardwick came back with a bang. In the end, judges did not deny a 3-2 win to the Dublin athlete.

Hardwick V Walker (Photo Belongs to OldWorldBoxing.com

The Young Buck Behind the Fighter... Hardwick has been moving back and forth between Dublin and New York to train, work and play Gaelic football. Back home he has not forgotten his roots. Coolock school boxing coach, Joe Vaughan keeps Harwick in tune with his local community. In December last year the  Dom Savio Youth Club for physically and mentally challenged young people at Colaiste Dhulaigh gave Hardwick the honor of presenting funds raised from a local 'skipathon' to the club.  

More recently, in New York  The Cuckoo's Nest Irish bar in Queens hosted a Shave or Dye Irish Cancer Society fundraiser. Along with many others who shaved off their locks and dyed their hair crazy colors for sponsorship, Hardwick played his part in raising over $5,000 for the Irish Cancer Society. The man behind the boxer appears to be well respected in both New York and Ireland amongst the young Irish community and athletic peers alike. On Irish site Boards.ie, I came across posts about Hardwick stating 'He is a good guy, grounded with no ego/bull****'
What is Next for this Young Buck?... 
Since his Golden Gloves win in 2010, Hardwick has had five pro fights with 2 K.O's. On both sides of the water he has managed to keep up ties with both Ireland's and America's finest boxing trainers and promoters. This young buck is showing us all that remaining open to new challenges keeps us moving forward on the road less traveled. Thomas is known to have suffered great loss in the run up to his first ever big win. Despite having only a small crowd to cheer him on, perseverance kept him focused in the ring. Having publicly dedicated his successes to close family and friends, there is no doubt that his love for Ireland continues to shine through his work and training in both New York and native home of Coolock.  In preparation for his most recent win in on the Macklin v Martinez Undercard Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick's Day, Hardwick told American publication the Irish Voice “I want to keep improving. I know I am not the most skillful fighter in the world.  I know my heart is there, but I want to be able to beat guys with skill before I have to go to war”. As a fellow Coolock head, I am adding Thomas Hardwick to the list of YoungBucksNYC pushing the limits to make a it happen in New York.  Perhaps their are some more Irish out there who will read this and identify with fighting against the odds. It's not easy to leave your support systems behind to try make a go of it somewhere else... In the words of Irish poet, Seamus Heaney 'Even if the last move did not succeed, the inner command says move again.'

Fashion World Takes Note of Irish Graduate - Sinead Lawlor

Parson's New School for Design graduate Sinead Lawlor is getting more than just a mention in the online fashion world this week as the frenzied fashion blogger's flock to pick up the whispers around her M.F.A Fashion Design and Society final collection. 

'The First Eighteen'

Celebrating the successful completion of their program, the carefully selected eighteen students showcased their collections in a rough and ready warehouse style setting on Broadway. Lawlor has immersed herself in a learning environment that offered high level input from key figures in the fashion industry like Karan, von Furstenberg and PR Consultant Pierre Rougie. The result according to  Fashion ETC is that Lawlor's work is now being classified a 'standout' amongst fashion royalty.

The Collection

Lawlor unveiled a line of bright blue, red, and yellow womenswear separates done in an explosive button digital print.  She explained to Harper's Bazaar's Véronique Hyland where she got the inspiration for her collection.

“I went back home after Christmas. My dad works in a psychiatric hospital. The seamstress in the hospital has collected buttons for years, and she color-coordinated them, so I photographed them,” turning the results into digital prints on jeans and silk tops."

What's Next for This Young Buck? 
Joanna Coles of Marie Claire has been quoted to have already put "several offers in on clothing" with a special mention for Lawlor's button collection. Fashion Blogger and Vogue Intern Jessica Minkoff writes on Style.com that Lawlor's print choice 'was bold, yet equally wearable'. Regina Domfrocht on The Fashion Spot is hot to trot for the buzz around Lawlor. She admired the use of 'buttons as a subject for a collection that felt utterly unique, fun, and gorgeous.' Back in February this year Lawlor's acid bright knitted dresses were exhibited at the International Fashion Showcase in London alongside Alexander Mc Queen's Savage Beauty competition creations. With her name now naturally associated with the calibre of designer Parson's have been knows to churn out, I wonder will she stay stateside long enough to let me tell her how great i think she is?! I want to hear all about how she followed her dream to come to the 'concrete jungle'?! I know a great place for an aul scone. A REAL ONE at that.... Ah-hem... Lawlor... Respond to my LinkedIn message please?!


References:
Style.com
Fashionetc.com
TheFashionSpot.com