#152 Richie Conroy - Garry Talks: Film
In this episode of "Garry Talks Film," host Garry interviews acclaimed Irish writer Richie Conroy, known for works like "Fran the Man", "Crá" and "Two by Two". Richie discusses his creative journey, influences, and the challenges of working in Ireland’s Film and TV industry. The conversation covers his disciplined writing habits, the importance of authentic Irish storytelling, collaboration with directors, and advice for aspiring writers. Richie also shares insights into his upcoming projects and emphasises the value of daily writing, honest feedback, and building strong creative partnerships.
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Early Inspiration: Father Ted and Irish Comedy (00:00:00)
Richie discusses seeing Irish people being funny on TV for the first time and its impact on his career ambitions.
Episode Introduction & Guest Background (00:00:06)
Podcast host introduces Richie Conroy, his works, and the episode’s main discussion points.
The Importance of Character in Writing (00:00:34)
Richie emphasises focusing on character development as the foundation of any story.
Podcast Sponsorship and Network Promo (00:00:52)
Mentions of podcast sponsors and the GK Media Studios Creators Network.
Personal Connection: Meeting in an Airport (00:01:11)
Garry and Richie recall how they first met and their families’ brief connection.
Richie’s Early Life and Family Influence (00:01:49)
Discussion about Richie’s childhood, his father’s writing career, and early inspirations.
Discovering Irish Language and Identity (00:06:03)
Richie talks about learning Irish, changing his name, and forming his own identity apart from his father.
Gaeltacht Experience and Learning Irish (00:07:11)
Richie shares his transformative experience in the Gaeltacht and how it shaped his language skills and friendships.
Family History and Inherited Interests (00:08:22)
Richie discusses his grandfather’s background, family ties to the Irish language, and a story about a stolen family heirloom.
Education and Early Career Steps (00:11:16)
Richie outlines his studies in media, early ambitions, and first industry opportunities.
First Industry Jobs: Magma Films and Animation (00:12:02)
Richie describes his work at Magma Films, writing for international animation series, and the Irish TV landscape.
Irish Comedy and TV Industry Challenges (00:13:18)
Discussion about the evolution of Irish TV comedy, industry limitations, and exporting talent.
Industry Growth, Challenges, and Screen Ireland (00:14:56)
Richie reflects on industry improvements, ongoing challenges, and the importance of supporting talent development.
Project Development and Talent Retention (00:18:17)
Talk about the need to support proven writers and the differences in development systems between Ireland and Germany.
Collaboration and Navigating Rejection (00:20:16)
Richie shares experiences with project rejection, adjudicating for the Arts Council, and the subjectivity of creative decisions.
Too Many Cooks: Feedback and Creative Control (00:21:44)
Discussion on the challenges of receiving feedback from multiple sources and learning to assert creative boundaries.
From TV Series to Feature Film: Fran the Man (00:23:33)
Richie explains the process of adapting Fran the Man from a short TV series to a feature film, focusing on character.
Comedy Influences and Writing Process (00:24:05)
Richie discusses the importance of character-driven stories and comedic influences from his football experiences.
Collaboration with Directors and Creative Trust (00:29:17)
Richie talks about working with director Stephen Bradley, learning to assert himself, and the importance of trust.
Evolving Role: From Writer to Executive Producer (00:32:39)
Richie describes negotiating for more creative input and the growing trend of showrunners in Ireland.
On-Set Involvement and Editing (00:34:39)
Richie details his involvement in directing football scenes and participating in the editing process.
Balancing Collaboration and Finding Your Voice (00:35:40)
Discussion about transitioning from eager newcomer to established writer with a clear voice and boundaries.
Daily Writing Routine and Craft (00:36:34)
Richie shares his disciplined writing schedule, workspace preferences, and the importance of consistency.
Managing Multiple Projects and Avoiding Burnout (00:40:31)
Richie explains how he juggles several writing projects and avoids creative burnout.
Creativity, Sobriety, and Writer’s Block (00:41:52)
Richie discusses writing habits, avoiding the “drunk artist” stereotype, and his approach to overcoming creative blocks.
The Power of Walking and Collaborative Brainstorming (00:44:18)
Richie advocates for walking as a tool for creativity and shares experiences from writers’ rooms.
Evolving as a Writer: Comedy and New Genres (00:45:49)
Richie reflects on how his interests and voice have changed over time, and his desire to explore new genres.
Adapting Leonard and Hungry Paul with Julia Roberts (00:49:34)
Richie discusses adapting the novel, using narration, and securing Julia Roberts as the narrator.
Writing Partnerships: Pros, Cons, and Creative Alignment (00:52:39)
Richie talks about collaborating with other writers, the importance of creative alignment, and handling conflicts.
CRÁ Two: Relocation and Rewriting (00:56:26)
Richie describes the process of moving the setting of CRÁ Two, the challenges of rewriting, and the show’s themes.
Advice for Aspiring Writers (01:00:01)
Richie offers practical advice: write daily, start with short forms, seek experience in soap operas and animation.
Networking and Industry Immersion (01:02:28)
Garry and Richie discuss the importance of networking, attending festivals, and ongoing learning for writers.
Advice for Collaborating with Writers (01:07:05)
Richie emphasises honesty, trust, and creating a safe, egoless space for creative collaboration.
Episode Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks (01:10:34)
Final thanks, acknowledgments, and sponsor mentions as the episode concludes.
Ireland