Field Notes: Wheaton Filmmaker in Ireland
Each summer, Wheaton College offers several Filmmaker in Residence Fellowships that fund students to travel with faculty-led international courses and produce films about the experiences and issues being
studied. Film and New Media Studies major Bridget Murphy ’27 was awarded a fellowship to travel to Ireland with Professors Kelly Goff and Kent Shaw for the course Arts in Ireland. Bridget recently spoke with Patrick Johnson, Chair of the Film, Media, and Communications department, about the experience.
What was the experience like being in Ireland and the work you did for the course?
The village of Ballyvaughan was nothing but welcoming and whimsical. This dreamlike landscape inspired my video art short film as well as my series of light-themed photographs. I did a few physical artworks, including a large collage which supported the message of, “Leave No Trace” as well as some watercolors.
Please tell me a bit about the film/project you filmed?
As we continued into our second day in Ireland, it became clear that a mockumentary would be the best format to represent this experience. Bonding together as a close-knit group of 16 students, we learned to support and live with each other. Throughout my film, I showcase each student’s workspace as well as multiple field trips we went on during the weeks. For the course itself, I produced multiple short experimental films with footage from various excursions.
What was an important lesson that you learned from the experience?
I learned very quickly to always be prepared for any situation, especially with the Irish weather. I kept plastic bags and an umbrella on my person at all times in case I needed to suddenly protect the camera from water. It was vital to have gear prepared ahead of time for quick battery changes in the field.
What were some of the challenges of filmmaking there?
One challenge faced while filming in Ireland was handling the amount of gear I brought while on our outdoor hikes. Our hike up the first large mountain proved difficult due to the incline as well as the weight of my backpack. I made use of a monopod and attached my camera to use it as a hiking stick for balance. In addition to this, I strapped a GoPro to my hat to capture raw footage of the trek, but found that the battery wore out quickly. After the first few days, it became easier to know what gear was necessary for the day, and what gear I could leave in the room. There was always something new and intriguing everywhere we looked, so it was hard to put the camera away.
What was a standout moment that you were able to capture?
One evening, I was walking back to our residence with a few other students and we had decided to take a path through the woods. As we walked deeper into the forest, we emerged into a clearing that was packed full of sheep roaming in a meadow. I was able to get close to them and photograph a few without causing distribution. Most of the animals we had seen at that time were behind fences or through the window of our bus, so being mere feet away from them was unforgettable.
What is the next step for the project and in your journey as a filmmaker/storyteller/creative?
The next step for this project is to finalize editing the mockumentary as well as posting my series of short films. I plan to reach out to my local library to display my series of photographs from the final art exhibition. As I currently study abroad in Athens, Greece, I use my knowledge from Ireland to make use of the environment and culture as inspiration. Upon returning to Wheaton for my final year, I will continue to take courses in both film and business, as well as resuming my role as a teaching assistant for screenwriting classes.
