BYLINE ISSUE II
Tomm Moore of Cartoon Saloon
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What’s Inside...
Headlines of Byline: FILM & TV
-vsMUSIC
ARTS & LIT
Byline Editor: Xander Cosgrave
Designer: Robert O’Sullivan
Film & TV Editor: Olivia Brown
Gaming Editor: Aoife Gleeson
Music Editor: Holly Cooney
Fiction Editor: Austin Dowling
Arts & Lit Editor: Colm Ferlong
Humour Editor: Lauren Mulvihill
GAMING
Byline Puzzle of the Week ACROSS 1. Word you said if we totally guessed your name right later on in the crossword (4) 4. My favourite colour (4) 5. A paper we didn’t ‘borrow’ this from. (8) 7. Greatest footballer of all time (5) 9. Your name? (4) 14. Greatest actor of all time (6, 8) 15. A Pokémon (9)
DOWN
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1. I spelt this word wrong (5) 2. ____ Memes Bro (4) 3. That’s So _____ (5) 4. Name of this magazine (6) 6. Last issue’s puzzle (10) 8. Or maybe THIS is your name (5) 10. The person who is here (that you can’t see) (5) 11. The best Beatle (5) 12. The Book what lives in Trinners (5) 13. This esoteric nonsense (9)
FICTION
EDITOR - AUSTIN DOWLING
The Last Letter of Dr. Edward Curock by Xander Cosgrave
Dear Howard,
Hull 16th October, 1928.
It has now been almost three full weeks since I received that fateful letter from our old school friend Oliver, and I feel out of fear and necessity, I ought to commit the events since then to paper. It was a brief scribbled thing that gave me little information bar a hinted location and a feeling that it was imperative that I go there. I realise now that my initial disconcertion was well founded, and indeed considering events since then, a rather tame reaction to the letter. Nevertheless, I struck out to find this place, a small village that rather seemed to be no longer existent according to most maps in the library and surveyors office, though a particularly old one did mention a name, ‘Abernathy’s Place’. Searching for any more information did not bear any fruit, so several days after receiving the letter I struck out north one morning to find it, and hopefully, Oliver. My first point of call was York, perhaps hoping Oliver would be home, or at the very least left me some sort of information beyond his letter. At worst, I felt I could find some more information about this village he was sending me too in York, it being far closer than my own home of London. Instead I found his home ransacked, the door locked and his hidden key in the place I remember, but his rooms and study torn apart. The most worrisome things I found here were the gouges in wood, as though someone had released a dog into the house to find something. All was not lost at this stage, as Oliver had left me a message in the hidden code we had used back in Kings, though my own memory of it was in need of refreshment, and it took me almost an hour to find the pub he had directed me towards. A small establishment, when I asked of Oliver I was handed another letter, and told politely to leave. (Indeed, this chain of letters and messages was becoming tiresome, but I would rather they had stayed around then be part of what happened next.) This letter also had a map, which directed me to a location slightly different from the first, A small hill by Abernathy’s Place, and a time and a date a few days from then. I decided to wait around the city, booking a room near to Oliver’s house so I could keep an eye if he came back. He did not, though I noticed several men seeming to watch his house at night over the course of these few days, deciding on discretion being the better part of valour, I simply watched them rather than confront them. After a few days of this, I found myself on a small, forested hill in the moors north of York, shivering in the nighttime cold and becoming rather frustrated with Oliver. As the time I was meant to be there approached, I found myself growing unnerved, and for no particular reason. I was quite startled when a figure appeared out of the growing dark, and indeed, let out a rather high pitched yelp. I was quieted and asked if I was Oliver’s friend. Upon my assertion that I was indeed meant to be here, I was given a story that still leaves me with chills. Oliver had been working for the home office to follow up on some issues with regards to a local vicar disappearing, concurrently with a string of events that were marked ‘of interest’. Upon his arrival, Oliver had met with the local agent standing before me, who refused to give his name. An investigation into what appeared to be a small pagan cult occurred, and things promptly went downhill. They had found what appeared to be cultists attempting to perform some esoteric acts in an attempt to summon some being from beyond time and space. I know how this sounds, but do bear with me, for there is more to this story. Apparently, they had kidnapped the vicar for this reason, Oliver, recognising a potential danger, but still being quite suspicious of any possible supernatural connotations at this point chose to contact me, feeling my background in science at this stage would be useful to debunk the locals of their notions. With this, he and his fellow agent attempted to infiltrate the cultists den of operations. It was there that they saw horrors that were beyond the realms of man, creatures not seen by any mortal, half man and half animal, and foul rituals the likes of which have not been committed by any sane person. I was rather skeptical at this stage, but the agent asked me to wait and watch the moors with him, for Oliver expected this, and planned to show me one of their cult rituals. When I pressed for where Oliver was, the home office man just shook his head and asked me to wait. What I saw then I cannot truly describe. At first, it was just lights in the sky, and I dismissed these as the northern lights being just particularly less northern, as occasionally happened. Indeed, fearful and uneducated people often saw these as signs and portents for some coming apocalypse. But then chanting began to roll across the moors, and it was of a language that could not be from any human mouths. I saw the first few cultists then, coming around a nearby hill at the head of a progression, but what followed them nearly tore my mind asunder. Loping creatures that seemed to made of men stitched together, creatures half human, and things that could only be described as nightmares given flesh. More worryingly, they were not some small disorganised mob, but were ranked and ordered, few, yes, but they had the trappings of an army. I saw Oliver then, or what was left of him, and knew why the agent would not speak of his fate. He was stretched across a rack of sorts, and held as some corrupted banner. The chanting grew more and more alien, and I found myself becoming entranced. The agent pulled me away then, and for that I am grateful. He told me how Oliver attempted to leave to bring a report back to his superiors, and was captured by the cult. The agent waited for me to ensure I would not be captured myself, and hoped that with two of us, this information would be brought to the required authorities. It is for that reason that I write you this letter, for I have made my way south separately from the home office man, and wish to ensure that this information is sent out to others, for I fear I am followed. I have attached the detail report written by Oliver, and I ask that if you do not see me, you bring this to your contacts in Westminster. Forces are at work here that I cannot understand, and we must act against them, though I do not know how.
Your Friend, Edward.
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HUMOUR HEADLINES Politics: Politics students frantically read Wikipedia pages ahead of upcoming general election to seem informed
Local: Kerry fresher sad to hear Starbucks is “far from where you were reared” for the 17th time Fashion: Male Top Knot
still somehow a thing
Sport: Conor McGregor
moves to Yamoussoukro, declares Ivorian citizenship
Netflix Set to Launch Porn Streaming Service by Langdon Alger The American juggernaut of internet streaming media, Netflix, is set to take a leap into a new market this year as it launches a new channel to its existing service. The newly announced feature will bring a whole new meaning to Netflix and chill as the company brings the biggest names in pornographic entertainment to your TVs, computers and smart devices. While the initial codename for the project, Netfux, apparently leaked a few weeks ago today’s announcement reveals the service to be called Netflixxx. In keeping with the original streaming model of the company existing porn titles will be available on demand with a number of the world’s finest production companies involved including Brazzers, Bang Bros, Adam & Eve, Playboy, Eurocreme, Bel Ami, Triga Films and many more. As well as having a wide array of existing titles on demand Netflixxx, in a bold
move, have poached a number of adult entertainment stars and given them creative freedom to produce their own original titles including Alexis Texas, Sasha Grey, Ron Jeremy, Brent Corrigan and in an even bolder move, even Kim Kardashian has been given the invite to create a new film.
original shows, bringing new and fresh stories and scenario to screens around the world”. In line with this the first batch of Netflixxx Originals is set to feature: Sensual8, Grace and Frankie and Tyrone, Anal is the New Black, BoJack Horsehung, Frat House of Cards and Wet Hot American Summer.
“While we will be surfacing content both popular and niche to our audience we will also strive to produce content of our own in line with the quality of our biggest original shows” In the company’s press release newly appointed Head of Adult Entertainment Jennifer Sanders stressed that “While we will be surfacing content both popular and niche to our audience we will also strive to produce content of our own in line with the quality of our biggest
In a quick response to this new venture Spotify have also announced they will begin streaming porn audio tracks on demand. Some of the titles announced for this platform include such classic tracks as “Oh look the pizza guy is here”, “These condoms are going out of date” and “I’m totally straight bro”.
Joan Burton joins Taylor Swift onstage in LA Literature: JK Rowling
reveals on Twitter that none of it actually happened, “stop fucking bothering me”
Health: Already overweight student blames it all on “Freshers 15” Science: 5 second rule finally confirmed to exist says scientist with suspicious red stains on labcoat
TV LISTINGS 4
RTE1, Wednesday @9.30PM: Some repeat, who actually cares, Netflix has porn now RTE2, Tuesday @10PM: Full live stream of Joan Burton’s new album performed live in studio
by Lauren Mulvihill
Tánaiste Joan Burton gave concertgoers a surprise last night when she became the latest in a line of celebrities to join American singer/songwriter Taylor Swift onstage in Los Angeles. Pop princess Swift has made headlines in recent weeks, having invited such well-known personalities as Justin Timberlake and Selena Gomez to duet with her in a series of sold-out shows. The leader of the Labour Party took her place beside Swift to rapturous applause from the twenty thousand-strong audience in the entertainment capital of the US, before launching into a rousing rendition of Swift’s international hit, “Bad Blood”. Burton reportedly opened by dedicating the tune to the Right to Water movement. A source for an Tánaiste claims the appearance had been “in the works for some time”, with several weeks of hard graft involved in honing the politician’s musical ability and stage presence. Burton has allegedly claimed that stepping into the shoes
of Swift’s collaborator Kendrick Lamar for a hip-hop version of the song was “daunting, but worth it”. A young fan from Bantry, who travelled to the US specifically for the concert, says she will remember the moment “forever”. “You really wouldn’t expect Joan Burton to be much of a rapper, to be fair, but she killed it up there. I’d almost go as far as saying she’s the Dr Dre of her generation.”
Many hope that Burton’s upcoming collaboration with Jeremy Corbyn, recently elected as the leader of the British branch of the Labour Party, will help in boosting support for the party on both sides of the Irish Sea. “An album is definitely in the works, I can tell you that much,” Alfredo Martinez, a music producer with Politicised Records UK, revealed this morning. “And a lot of people are very excited about it.”
“You really wouldn’t expect Joan Burton to be much of a rapper, to be fair, but she killed it up there. I’d almost go as far as saying she’s the Dr Dre of her generation.”
Burton’s decision to take part in the performance is considered by many to be a political move as the Republic’s next general election draws ever closer. Public support for Labour has seen a drop in recent years, and inside sources say party leaders are pushing for a drastic image overhaul.
Byline can exclusively reveal that the as yet untitled album is set to be released in early December 2015, and will feature such songs as “Straight Outta Corbyn” and “Fuck the Politicisation of the Healthcare System”. An explosion of interest in the project has meant the album will be available to pre-order from Labour’s website from the 22nd of September.
EDITOR - LAUREN MULVIHILL
HUMOUR
A Series of Open Letters to All the Characters I Have Met on Public Transport by Lauren Mulvihill
The Irish public transport system is nothing to write home about. As a country, we are not internationally renowned for our metro system or our motorways, and we’re definitely not going to be winning any awards for an efficient and easily navigated bus service. One thing that’s for sure, though, is that many journeys will introduce the traveller to a wealth of interesting characters. I, myself, have come across many in my years of using public transport, but we are always ships passing in the night – briefly impacting each other’s lives, and then gliding past once more. I write this series of open letters as a tribute to those special people who have made my experience of public transport memorable, and have, perhaps, taught me something about myself along the way.
Dear Kilkenny-bound “Girls Night Out”-ers on the train, Party time, ladies! Who was getting married? Oh, it doesn’t matter, does it – you brought enough fun to get you through all six of your hypothetical weddings, and more than enough for the twenty-odd passengers that shared the train carriage with you. Gosh, how I wished I was one of you. I longed for a matching t-shirt in luminous pink with a cute slogan on the back of it. I wished I was in on the joke, because I’m sure it was hilarious. I wished I was one of you, because if I was one of you, I wouldn’t have had to put up with you for four hours.
Dear Man Who Whipped Out His Thesaurus For Me on the Luas, How long had you been keeping that thing in your back pocket, man? Furthermore, how long had it taken for someone to give you the chance to use it? Regardless of your answers, I just want to say, you’re welcome. It must have been fate that initiated the conversation between my friend and I about whether or not a sign as Gaeilge was grammatically correct or not. It was more fateful still that I stood beside you by the door: you, the only man I have ever known to be in possession of an Irish language thesaurus. I understand that your timing was poor, and that you were about to launch into a passionate discussion about your love of the language just as the doors opened, but I assure you, my Gaeilgóir friend, one of these days, your chance will come around again. Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach.
Dear “the Lads” Who Stood at the Other Bus Stop, Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Archbishop of Banterbury and his little clique. All aboard the Banter Bus, am I right, fellas? I’ve dealt with my fair share of annoyances in the past, and I assure you, you’re all right up there. I don’t know what it was about me that day that suggested I was up to dealing with your nonsense, and yes, I and my friends were aware of you taking those photographs. And I’m sure your mothers would be proud. If you understand anything, understand this: my absolute disdain for your personal choices on that day is like a goldfish’s memory loss, repeating itself in a constant loop.
Dear Lady Who Refused to Sit Next to Me on the Bus, What the hell did I ever do to you, you rude-ass hoe?
Dear Lady Who Punched Someone in the Head on the Luas, I often wonder how you’re doing these days, Lady. I’m guessing you were having a bad day when I came across you that spring afternoon in Dublin city, because you were – how do I put this – a tad irate. I’m sure that if you would have waited, the woman in front of you would have cleared the doorway. I’m not going to lie, boxing her in the back of a head could have been misconstrued as needlessly aggressive. A nice “excuse me” could have gone far in your situation. Whatever it was that caused your outburst, I hope it’s over now. Maybe try some yoga, or maybe just Netflix.
Dear Girls Who Ate a Can of Pringles on the Luas, Guys, how did you manage to attract the security guards simply by eating a few crisps? That takes some major talent. I have to say, I admire your ability to stick it to the man at such a young age. I think the word I’d use to describe those guards you came to know as “youse rats” as ‘bemused’. They just stood at the door and let the train leave, eventually. You Dubs really know your way around town. As I said, fair dues to you two: not only for figuring out how to work the Luas ticketing system at the age of eleven, but for being so profoundly anti-establishment while still in your salad days. Now that we’ve established a rapport, maybe we should think about taking our Pringles can with us when we leave the Luas next time, hm? The carriage was pretty packed, and that stuff smells. But, y’know, right on, fight the power, and so on.
Dear Everyone Who Watched Me Get Catapulted up the Aisle Because I Didn’t Wear a Seatbelt on the bus, You’d better not breathe a goddamn word of it to anyone.
Yours sincerely, A Fellow Commuter.
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GAMING What Happened to Kojima? Jonathan Soltan explains the behind the scenes drama of making MGSV Once in a while, a game like The Last Guardian or Duke Nukem Forever comes along where the story behind the game is almost more interesting than the game itself. I believe Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is one of those games. Since I’ve been waiting in vain by the postbox for the last two weeks for the game to arrive (cheers Amazon), I’ve had plenty of time to read over the strange happenings at Konami involving series creator Hideo Kojima and his studio Kojima Productions. It was a saga that spanned months and had many worried about the final quality of The Phantom Pain. We now know that the game turned out great but things seemed dicey there for a while. It all started back in March when Kojima’s name started disappearing from Konami’s website and Kojima
Productions Los Angeles was renamed Konami Los Angeles Studio. There was also a rumour circulating that Kojima himself would be leaving Konami following the release of Phantom Pain. Considering that Kojima was the Vice President of the company many people, including myself, found this hard to believe but none could deny that it was a strange situation. It only got stranger as Konami then put out job listings for a new team to make new Metal Gear games. Kojima had been the driving force behind the series since he created it and had built up a trusted team since then. That Konami was looking to replace them didn’t bode well for the series’ future. In addition to all this, Konami removed Kojima’s name from the Silent Hills website. Up until then Kojima had been working on a reboot of the series with Guillermo del Toro, which was subsequently cancelled a
month after its demo. Confusingly, at the beginning of April, Konami put Kojima’s name back on certain product listings for Metal Gear games but then later in July removed both Kojima’s name and the Kojima Productions logo from the Phantom Pain box art.
According to a composer who had worked with Kojima on Metal Gear, all of this transpired because of Kojima’s attitude with money when developing his games; with the budget for Phantom Pain rumoured to be in excess of $80m. While Kojima’s “money is no object” attitude may have been good for the
gamers, it’s obvious that it earned him no favour with the shareholders of Konami. Now that he’s gone we’ll just have to wait and see which major publisher hands him a blank cheque first. Although, personally, I’m devastated that without Kojima we’ll probably never get a sequel to one of the most criminally underrated games of the last few years: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
The Rise of Youtube Gaming By Seán Donegan
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Youtube gaming is the newest Google website, poised to take the world by storm and revolutionize livestreaming as we know it. However, the real question on everyone’s minds is: can anything really replace the Kappa? The Amazon owned Twitch.tv is the current market leader with over 100 million unique monthly users and close to a billion views a year. Popular streamers can maintain an audience of tens of thousands of people at any given time with large esports events in popular games, like Counter Strike and League of Legends, attracting numbers in the hundreds of thousands. The heart of Twitch lies in its chat system. It features unique emotes like Kappa (used to indicate subtle trolling or sarcasm) and allows users to converse with each other and the host streamer in real time. This can make for some engaging interactions – for example, Hearthstone streamer Reckful allows viewers to pick his numbers for Russian roulette. What can YouTube gaming bring to the table, you ask? Running on HTML5, it
brings an interface reminiscent of the familiar YouTube layout we all know
and love, complete with like and dislike buttons. However, unlike YouTube, you won’t be met with Carly Rae Jepson’s Call Me Maybe while looking up a headshot compilation for Call of Duty. There are ‘landing pages’ for each game, which gather content related to that particular game. There’s everything from current live streamers and popular videos to let’s plays and game reviews. This makes it easier to find the specific type of video you are looking for. The website uses the powerful Google engine, which will make finding archived videos a breeze. A major selling point
is more stable servers and less delay, making streams more reliable and allowing for more seamless interactions between viewers and broadcasters. Another big opportunity for Google is the possibility of obtaining exclusive rights to a big event. A much loved event with multiple viewing sessions that takes place over a number of days would be ideal. A perfect example of an event of this kind would be the Games Done Quick charity event. This features high calibre speed runners from all manner of platforms demonstrating their expertise by finishing an entire game in one sitting in the fastest time possible – and all for a good cause.
Another possible development is exclusive contracts for celebrity gamers such as zany YouTube star PewDiePie. This could offer streamers a better deal for revenue than Twitch, where the gamers’ income is made from subscribers, with each party currently taking 50% of profits. This would make the switch to YouTube gaming more tempting. Whether Google can secure these assets remains to be seen, but there is no reason why it shouldn’t be doable for a company with the amount of resources and influence that Google has.
GAMING
EDITOR - AOIFE GLEESON
Should Movie Tie-In Games Stay Gone? by Aoife Gleeson There’s a reason that movie tie-in games have largely disappeared in the last few years: they sucked. For years, shoddy developers would crank out barely functional games to coincide with the release of the film they were based on. These games served a basic purpose: make some extra money from gullible fans. By and large, they were dismal, incoherent messes. The reasons for this were fairly straightforward – developers had to have the game out at the same time as the movie, which meant shrunken development cycles. Adapting films with plots that lasted 2 hours into 20 hour games also produced a lot of a filler. What resulted were atrociously buggy, boring and broken games. It’s no coincidence that a game often cited as the worst of all time, ET for the Atari 2600, was a movie tie-in game. Eventually, people started to catch on. The reputation
of tie-in games became so bad that many stopped making them outside of occasional, paltry and critically panned attempts. Tie-in games became few and far between where they were once as ubiquitous as figurines, lunchboxes and other assorted licensed merchandise. Yet, we could see a return. The Mad Max game came out this week and Stars Wars Battlefront will be released later this year to coincide with the release of Episode VII. Is this something we want to happen? Are we doomed to repeat
a history of really sucky tie-in games? Not necessarily. It’s important to note that not ALL tie-in games sucked. Although people usually say the highest praise you can give to a tie-in game is that it’s ‘not terrible’, Goldeneye was actually seen as revolutionary for its time and the LEGO games are fun and consistently positively reviewed tie-in games.
mixed reviews with some loving it and a lot hating it. Had the game been forced out a few months ago with the film, it would have likely been abysmal. So, that’s a step forward I suppose. With a good developer and a suitable development cycle tie-in games don’t have to be terrible. Yet, because of their image issue, many good developers won’t go anywhere near them so it’s a bit of a Catch 22. Also, film studios won’t want to fund games that won’t come out alongside theirs films since this will create arduous and protracted marketing budgets. In all likelihood, tie-ins will continue to be frequently atrocious, often mediocre and occasionally good. Here’s hoping Star Wars Battlefront will be an exception!
So, I mentioned already why tiein games are frequently terrible. Mad Max, at the moment, is receiving
The Changing Face of Multiplayer by Brian Conmy - Editor Multiplayer games have come a long way over the years. From the bad old days of spider webbing 12 PCs together to play Quake or Unreal Tournament, to the early days of Xbox Live, to MMOs and now to everyone being constantly connected and able to play online games against people around their world on their phones. With the technological evolution the past few decades have brought us the face of multiplayer games has evolved along the way. It’s gotten to a point now where types of games that would previously include local co-op or multiplayer has shirked this feature and kept it online only. The most criticised game to befall this fate being Halo 5, with initial reports saying there would be no local co-op as there was in previous games but offering a glimmer of hope, “Never say never”. In fact there was a time when the idea of a game featuring local multiplayer had seemed to die off altogether. Every AAA shooter
which would usually have the option quietly announced this particular iteration of the franchise, or attempt at a franchise, wouldn’t support the functionality. The space was thus left up to the indies to bring back this much loved type of play, and bring it back they did. Games like Nidhogg, Gang Beasts, Towerfall Ascension, Monaco, Spelunky, Binding of Isaac Rebirth, Risk of Rain and hundreds more scratch the local multiplayer itch. There’s really nothing better than a skilful room clearing in Isaac, a lucky stab in Nidhogg or a “where the hell did that arrow come from!” in Towerfall. There is however another form of
multiplayer that’s less discussed but seemingly on the rise. With the current resurgence of story driven games in the vain of older PC based adventure games thanks in part to the popularity of Telltale’s The Walking Dead a new kind of couch co-op is available, crowd sourced decision making. For instance with the recent release of Until Dawn for PS4 I’ve been playing the game with a friend of mine next to me as we swap back and forth the controller. The gist of this game is to control a group of teens who for all intents and purposes have found themselves the victims in a slasher film. As a huge fan of that genre who has become savvy to tropes and conventions I would play the game in a very specific away, trying to avoid what I know to be typical death scenarios and illogical decisions that so often lead to death. However, since I’m playing the game with someone less horror inclined, my partner’s decisions at times conflict with my own. In periods
where the
game gives a decent length of time to make a move we can talk out our next move but in the numerous split second decision seconds we often devolve into a shouting match where one twitch movement decides our character’s outcomes. This results in a unique story neither myself nor my play partner would have arrived at on our own. While this playstyle will only be viable in a very particular subset of games it’s interesting to see how we got from LAN parties to measured/intense moments on the couch to decide whether or not to go into the spooky house.
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INTERVIEW with
Tomm Moore
This summer saw the release of Song of the Sea, the second feature length film from Kilkenny based production company Cartoon Saloon. Directed by Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells) the film has received international praise and it is clear why.
Refreshingly Irish. Those are the two words I would use to describe this film. Moore’s strong roots in Celtic mythology shine through in his latest production which has earned him the top IFTA award for Best Irish Film. It is rare to find a film so honest and earnest in respect to its folklore. The instantly recognisable hand drawn animations of Cartoon Saloon, for which the firm are quickly becoming renowned, make for a breath of fresh air in a stuffy cinematic world of CGI. Song of the Sea is a story of family, adventure and lore. The story holds its heritage with the legend of the Selkies, a type of shape-shifting fairies who can transform themselves into both human and seal forms. A selkie appears as a seal while in the water but can shed its seal skin to take on a human form and live on land, sometimes taking a human lover. This magical tale is then layered with adventure as two siblings, Ben and Saoirse attempt to make their way home to their father, who lives in an island off the Irish coast. Fairies, giants, witches and talking owls also make an appearance in a tale of a missing mother, a grieving father and a broken home. Holding true to its Irish heritage, the film is a perfect example of excellent storytelling. Song of the Sea is filled with many references to aspects of our culture and society. An Irish audience will find humour and a comforting sense of familiarity in several scenes throughout the film. While trying to escape the capital the children are delivered a series of complex directions in the notorious Dublin accent. Granny’s home could be any Irish grandmother’s house, where a myriad religious statues adorn the surfaces and a fresh pot of tea is always at hand. Even the language used throughout the film is quintessentially Irish with colloquial terms such as, every mother’s favourite, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph” making its big screen debut
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The Irishness of the film obviously has award-winning qualities as it has received international acclaim. Like The Secret of Kells beforehand, Song of the Sea was also the product of international co-operation among several studios based all over the world, including Brussels, France and Denmark. Similar to its predecessor, the film was also nominated for an Academy Award. It is praised as being on par with the animated greats. The phenomenal animation, and no I’m not exaggerating here it is really spectacular, is supported by a star studded cast including Brendan Gleeson, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan, Fionnula Flanagan and Pat Shortt. It truly has been the summer of children’s films with the likes of Inside Out and Minions dominating the box offices. I honestly believe Song of the Sea is an underappreciated gem hidden in amongst the more contemporary productions and is definitely a worthwhile watch, for young and old alike.
Following its recent worldwide success, Byline’s Film & TV editor Olivia Brown sat down with director Tomm Moore to discuss his film Song of the Sea. BYLINE: So Tomm you started off by studying “classical animation” in Ballyfermot College in Dublin. What was it that initially drew you towards animation? TOMM MOORE: Well, I was part of the Young Irish Film Makers (YIFM) growing up. I used to experiment with animation and types of film lot at home in Kilkenny. I went to Ballyfermot with the intention of improving my drawing skills for illustrating comics. However while I was there I “re-caught” the animation bug and fell back in love with film. While studying in Ballyfermot you went off and set up your own animation studio – Cartoon Saloon during your final year. That’s some achievement, juggling college work on top of a new venture. College alone can be tough enough! Yeah, I had done a bit of freelance work first so I was used to managing work and college in one sense. Setting up the studio was, in my opinion better than a typical job. I was really lucky that Ballyfermot were so understanding. They took the Cartoon Saloon work into consideration while I was completing my final year. They really were very accommodating. In the end I was young and I had the energy to do both. I know I couldn’t do it now though!! Any advice for those in college considering taking a similar leap on a personal venture or something close to them? Talk to your college or university. See can they accommodate you so that your extracurricular work might count towards your college score. I know if I could do it over and try and do things better, I would focus on trying to integrate my work more effectively. It’s also a good time to try out teaming up with and working alongside friends. I know you work together on projects during college but it’s not the same as when the pressures of budgets and schedules are looming over you. They do make a real difference! The studio, Cartoon Saloon, is clearly going from strength to strength, producing Oscar nominated films and IFTA award winning series. What would you say is the studio’s magic touch?
Persistence and Vision. We’ve been working a long time now, almost 16 years. We worked hard and stuck through the rough periods, and there were a lot of them – more than we anticipated! We have a clear purpose and remind ourselves of that during these rough times. We kept and we continue to keep ploughing on and now we have become known as a reliable business in the market. There is now value added to our work. We no longer have to hustle to get involved in upcoming projects. The “hustling” period was as a rough phase that lasted longer than expected, but here we are now! Your animations are all hand drawn and it’s really refreshing to see. What’s it like to hand craft your work in a world where the likes of CGI are becoming ever more popular? It’s become the brand we’re known for and it makes us unique and stand out in the market place. Hand drawn animation works for us. Yet we are not defined by our hand drawn work but by our design and our storytelling. However today, many see CGI films as the safer bet. They are more willing to watch something produced with CGI as though it is guaranteed to be a good piece. This is our biggest challenge really. Your first feature film The Secret of Kells earned you your first Oscar nomination in 2009, a year with one the most diverse shortlists for that particular category. The stiff competition included the likes of Up, Coraline and Fantastic Mr. Fox. The nomination was quite an achievement! How has the nomination influenced your work and the direction you wanted to take moving forward? It was a really tough time for us. The film didn’t last as long in the cinemas as was originally anticipated, so we were a little disheartened. The nomination gave the film a new lease of life. It revitalised it in a way. I myself came close to throwing in the towel here, however the nomination reconfirmed my dedication to our purpose. Both Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells are quintessentially Irish. They focus heavily on our culture and mythology. Is this an area that has always interested you?
I do hold a personal love for mythology which has definitely influenced some of my work. Saying that we’re currently working on a new film, The Breadwinner, which is not related to Irish mythology, but tells the story of a young girl living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Ideas organically flow from one film to the next. While we’ve moved onto a different theme, I do know that I’m personally not finished with this topic yet. Just to talk a little about this year’s film, Song of the Sea. For many people this will have been their first encounter with the likes of a selkie. How did the idea for the film come about? Well I’ve always known about selkies growing up and I was conscious that my son, Ben didn’t. We’d read Eddie Lenihan stories and stuff but I was aware he was ignorant of many of the aspects of our culture. One time a few years back we were on a family holiday on the West Coast and we came across some dead mutilated seal pups in Dingle. It got me thinking about the killing of seals and how they’ve lost their status in our culture. In the past our folklore protected them but nowadays they’ve become disconnected from people. I’d love to see that connection rekindled. For me the success of Song of the Sea is in knowing that more people now know of selkies and are exploring a different area of our culture. These stories can be used in own lives too. It has been described as “complex and subtle exploration of grief ”. Was this intended or did it kind of just come about? Yeah I wanted to explore grief. I know from my own personal life folklore & religion can give context to complex feelings, especially for children. The Selkies were part of this. I believe that it’s definitely an idea worth revitalising. I read recently that you employed a group of “youngsters” as a test audience for the film. Can you tell me more about this experience? Are children by your target audience or is it intended for all ages?
we’d show her pupils rough cuts of the film. I wanted to make sure they found it interesting and understood the plot. Yeah, a few small changes were made. The children found the film too harsh in places, so we had to tone it down. Interestingly the children responded primarily to the sibling rivalry between Ben and Saoirse. While us adults were lost in deeper ideas of the film , the rivalry was a big part of the connection for the pupils so we focused more on that and then layered in the more complex ideas of the adults. With both The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea you have been involved with organisations and worked with people from all over Europe. What is like to internationally co-operate on a film? Do you find that this process benefits the film itself? It was a real Joy to do. When it came to Song of the Sea, international cooperation was something that the studio was familiar with from The Secret of Kells. I found it natural for me. Do you find that this process benefits the film itself? Yes, it benefits the film and all those involved. We benefit from the talents, resources and ideas of others. Working with people from all over Europe which gave us the opportunity to retest our ideas to ensure their viability. Then because these people from all these different places were also investing their time and their effort into the film, we then wanted to ensure that the idea would work in their national markets too. This created new markets for the film and gave it access to a larger audience. And for the final question could you tell me what your favourite film is? Oooh, that’s a difficult one. It’s always changing. I think, at the moment, it would have to be My Neighbour Totoro. It’s a Japanese animated fantasy. Parts of the film inspired and influenced aspects of Song of the Sea.
This aspect was very important to me as I wanted to ensure that the film was easy for children to understand. My wife is a primary school teacher so at ‘Songs of the Sea’ will be released on various stages throughout production DVD & BluRay on November 2nd
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ARTS & LITERATURE Naruto: Volumes 1-3 Omnibus Darragh McGrath examines the popular Manga Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto ‘Being an English student (or as we are sometimes better known “A Professional reader”) I find myself seeking an outlet from the heavy classical literature I have to devour daily.’
The nation of Japan has given us some amazing technology, great films and fantastic music, yet who could forget one of their greatest contributions to the world of popular culture: Manga!
world where modern advances such as electronics and industry are mixed with the ancient art of Ninjitsu. The majority of the characters are ninjas, or “shinobi” to use the technical term. The characters possess many of the supernatural abilities which these masters of stealth have long been associated with and more.
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Being an English student (or as we are sometimes better known “A Professional reader”) I find myself seeking an outlet from the heavy classical literature I have to devour daily. As a result, I looked into getting some lighter reader for my free time (yes I break from reading with more reading, I am aware how enviable my life must appear). Manga really must be considered an art form in its own right. The genre combines impressive artistic talent with intricate story-telling. I wanted to move away from my old favourite; the legendary Dragonball by Akira Toriyama and find some new manga/anime series to obsess over. Fortunately I didn’t have to look too far. On a friend’s recommendation, I found Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto. When the seasoned fan first lays eyes on the protagonist of this series they must think: “A spiky haired martial artist in a bright orange jumpsuit! Where have I seen this before?” Yes the similarities are humorously obvious, but we must remember that Toriyama’s epic creation played a central role in bringing manga/ anime to the Western audience. As such, it’s only natural that his successors in the industry would draw inspiration from his winning formula. I personally see it as more of a tip of the hat to the master. Also, like many manga creators Kishimoto uses traditional Japanese folklore and mythology as the backbone for the story. Naruto takes place in a
The main protagonist is the 12 year old Naruto Uzumaki, an orphan (big surprise), aspiring master shinobi and the local prankster. Naruto lives in the ninja village of Konohagakure where he trains as a “genin”; a rookie ninja. He dreams of becoming the next “Hokage”; the village leader and champion shinobi. This ambition to be noticed and respected was born from the years of ostracization he experienced from his fellow citizens. This exclusion resulted from a dark event that took place on the day of his birth and changed the course of his life forever. Joining him on his adventures are the other members of “Cell 7”. First of these is the handsome and talented, but dark and brooding ninja Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke is Naruto’s rival who has an equally troubled past and an equally strong ambition. The other is one Sakura Haruno; the brainy ninja girl with a slightly different goal: to win Sasuke’s love! Naturally he doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. The relationship between the young warriors as they grow as a team and make the transition from bickering students to young adults provides much of the story’s heart and soul. Under their powerful and mysterious masked master Kakashi, they venture to far off lands and face new challenges from enemies such as killer assassins and evil gangsters to magical demons and more. That’s just the first 3 volumes in what is a long and captivating series. Very few details are left out with almost every character’s backstory explored and thoroughly developed through the use of flashback scenes.
Though this could be easily dismissed as just another run of the mill kid’s adventure series, it in fact possesses many themes that make it appealing to readers of all ages. Here we have a character who is a clumsy, selfproclaimed ‘dunce’, living in a world filled with danger. He grew up without a parent’s love or even basic respect, is regularly ignored and treated coldly by his own people. Yet he never gives up, even though he has a lofty dream to follow, and is surrounded by countless naysayers and people with more natural talent. We as a reading audience tend to love a tenacious underdog. All a series really needs to be a success is a strong story with lovable characters and Kishimoto’s creation has these vital elements in spades.
This attractive omnibus contains the first three volumes together, allowing a new reader to get fully acquainted with the series. Also included in between chapters are various writer’s notes and original sketches from the creator himself.
‘The relationship between the young warriors as they grow as a team and make the transition from bickering students to young adults provides much of the story’s heart and soul.’
In conclusion if you are new to the world of manga/anime or like myself have been looking to commit to an enjoyable new series to while away the free hours, Naruto may be the ninja for the job (just remember that manga is read from right to left instead of the usual left to right!).
EDITOR - COLM FERLONG
ARTS & LIT
Everyman Theatre Autumn/Winter Catalogue Preview Colm Furlong looks forward to the upcoming productions in Cork’s own Everyman Theatre. On Wednesday the 9th of September I attended the launch of the Autumn/ Winter Brochure for the Everyman Theatre, along with the opening night of The Outgoing Tide by Bruce Graham. This play is a fine production starring Cork Legend Michael Twomey, supported by Berna Gordon and Ian McGuirk. It deals with the highly delicate subject matter of the onset of Alzheimer’s, making for an emotional evening of theatre. The heavy tone of the theme is combated frequently throughout with comedy which is brilliantly delivered by the cast. Unfortunately, at the time of this publication this play will have finished its run in the Everyman.
But do not let that get you down; there is plenty more fantastic productions and shows coming to the Everyman Theatre over the next number of months. Celebrating 25 years in business this year, the theatre is still going as strong as ever. The atmosphere at the launch of the brochure was electric; a great level of excitement permeated the room and it was not long until we were treated to a short speech detailing some of the key events coming up in the theatre’s calendar. There is something in the programme of events for everyone; from dramatic plays to musicals, comedy to live music, and much, much more. I would strongly encourage you all to pick up a copy of the programme; as there is certain to be an event you will not want to miss. The following are simply some of the highlights of the theatre’s upcoming productions. One of the most recognisable names in the immediate future is the stage adaptation of J.M Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World. Described in the programme as Synge’s most famous and
controversial play, this is a production not to be missed by fans of Irish theatre. Directed by Niall Henry and performed by the Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, it is sure to be a fascinating night out.
This autumn and winter also sees some fine comedic talent grace the stage of the Everyman. On the 17th of October, PJ Gallagher (TV’s Naked Camera) and Joanne McNally (One of Ireland’s strongest and fastest rising stars) bring their new show, Separated at Birth to Cork. The Everyman brochure describes the show as a fresh, original approach to traditional stand-up; and with these two at the helm that’s sure to be true. Another fine performance to look out for in the Everyman’s comedy calendar takes place on the 26th of October, when the award winning Nina Conti brings her show In Your Face to the stage. Somewhat an experimentation in comedy, the show will see Nina “create a new show each night by plucking inspiration from the audience”. The show has been described as genius, poignant, and uproariously hilarious, and for fans of comedy and improv, this is a must see event.
The 28th to the 31st of October sees a much loved classic by many generations come to the Everyman Theatre, in connection with the Cork City Council Arts Office. Deirdre Dwyer is directing a new theatrical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden. A trio of performers will lead the audience through the magical tale in showings at both 12pm and 3pm each day, for people aged 7 years and up. If you are a fan of this incredible
piece of literature, you should be sure to mark this down on your calendar and make the trip to what will certainly be a fantastic, fun filled afternoon of theatre. One of the biggest events in the Everyman Theatre’s calendar each year is their annual Christmas pantomime. This year, directed by Catherine MahonBuckley, a genie, a lamp and a flying carpet will grace the stage along with a princess, the baddies, and of course the hero of the tale. That’s right, this year, the Everyman Theatre is presenting the beloved Aladdin as their fun-packed pantomime which is sure to entertain the entire family. The show will be brought to us by the same team who staged the record breaking pantomime from last year’s programme, Cinderella. Aladdin is a production that is not to be missed; it’s sure to be a fun filled outing for each and every person who attends.
In January, the Everyman Theatre is presenting a real treat. Irish mentalist, magician and all round entertainer Keith Barry is bringing his new show, Out of Control to the Cork stage from Friday the 15th until Sunday the 17th of January. I have personally been to many of Keith’s shows in the past, and I can guarantee that his unique take on performance is highly entertaining, engaging, and downright outrageous
at times. Not only that, he also brings a fantastic level of comedy to each and every show he performs. I cannot recommend attending this show enough; it will definitely be worth the time.
All of these fantastic shows and performances are a small representation of the larger body of work that is coming to the Everyman’s stage in these next few months. A rich line-up awaits us all, and if you have the time and the money to spare, I strongly encourage you to head out and support the fantastic theatre that is the Everyman. They’ve had a great 25 years in this city, and with our help they can continue on for many, many more years to come. This autumn and winter, there is a vast variety of talent and performance on its way to Cork City; make sure you take full advantage and don’t waste the opportunity. You won’t regret it. To find out more information about ‘The Everyman’ Autumn/Winter programme, visit EverymanCork.com
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MUSIC Cork’s Newest Venue Given the Green Light Hate heading all the way to the capital to see Beyoncé strut her stuff or rock out to Biffy Clyro? Well good news for you, Cork is finally on the music map with the planned Beamish and Crawford venue finally being confirmed. Byline gives you all the facts about Ireland’s most exciting music venture. For years Dublin was the place to be and be seen. All the greats played there, with Cork being a quirky second best to the fury of many. Now it seems the answer to our prayers has finally come alive with the confirmed news of a new entertainment and music complex planned for the city. Not only have Heineken provided us with a wonderful range of (nonalcoholic) refreshments but they have our entertainment sorted too! For a number of years rumours have been going around about a new venue for Cork City, meaning that Corkonians
will no longer have to make that long bus journey to Dublin to see their favourite acts. After numerous let downs by Government and Cork City Council the news has finally been confirmed that despite a nine month delay, the Heineken led venture is really going ahead. On September 14th Cork South Central TD and Minister for Agriculture and Defence Simon Coveney confirmed the news that the project has been backed by government who are said to be investing 12 million euro in this new venture. The remaining 8 million will be provided by Cork City Council.
Amid concerns from Cork City Councillors, Chief Executive Ann Doherty has confirmed that nothing major is delaying the project and that it will go ahead as planned. The developers, BAM and venue operators Live Nation are merely in the finally stages of planning this new venue before construction begins. This exciting new entertainment venue will be located at the old Beamish and Crawford site and plans are to include a 6,000 capacity music venue, seven screen cinema complex, tourist centre, artist’s studio, 360 degree viewing tower
and even student accommodation. Though a start date for construction has yet to be confirmed it is thought to begin sooner rather than later as the government backing will not be on the table indefinitely. With excitement mounting all resources are being utilised in order to get the complex up and running as soon as possible.
Autumn Album Releases Fresher’s week is over and the reality of being back to college has hit us all hard. Amid lies of going to the library and starting that assignment early, all we really want to do is curl up in bed watching episode after episode on Netflix and entering the phase of permanent onesie habitation. That promise you made to go to every class has long been broken so to make these rainy autumn evenings that bit better Byline music editor Holly Cooney is here with her recommendations for the top autumn album releases.
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Glen Hansard –“Didn’t He Ramble”. Release Date: 18th September.
Disclosure- “Caracal”. Release Date: 25th September.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Dublin native Hansard has achieved a multitude of success for a busker from the north-side. This second solo album is a tough one as how can he re-create the achievements of The Frames, Swell Season and the Oscar winning “Once”? The follow up to his first solo venture, 2012’s “Rhythm and Repose” sees Hansard at his most heartfelt. No longer singing sad songs about girls he can’t get and the struggle to make it, “Didn’t He Ramble” is a collection of emotional offerings to lost friends and honest recollections.
The hottest DJs since Daft Punk, Disclosure’s first album “Settle” was a revolution of EDM which used real instruments combined with a memorable and iconic sound that achieved platinum status and a Mercury nomination. Howard and Guy are the coolest guys in music with a multitude of famous friends so their next release was always going to have high expectations. So far, based on the high profile collaborations with artists including The Weekend, Sam Smith and Lorde it looks like we won’t be disappointed.
Girl Band-“Holding Hands With Jamie”. Release Date: 25th September.
5 Seconds of Summer- “Sounds Good Feels Good”. Release Date: 23rd October.
Byline’s first issue ones to watch Girl Band are tearing up the rule book of Irish alternative music. With a sound described as techno rock they’re new and exciting and hopefully their debut album, “Holding Hands With Jamie” will live up to expectations. These nine tracks are said to truly encapsulate the rough abrasive energy of Girl Band that their live performance offers. If you’re looking to impress in the Bróg then this is the album you should be listening to.
After their hugely successful first album, 5 Seconds of Summer are back with their second release “Sounds Good Feels Good”. It seems this album has been long awaited as based on ITunes pre orders it’s already at number one! Written in LA, “Sounds Good Feels Good” is said to be more emotional, with the guys calling it a “very personal album” that features topics like heartbreak, loneliness and depression. Based on the first number one single “She’s Kinda Hot” it seems like the same bouncy guitar riffs and teenage angst, reminiscent of Busted and Blink 182 is on the cards again, although we’ll have to wait and see.
EDITOR - HOLLY COONEY
MUSIC
The Picnic Byline Editor Xander Cosgrave went to the Electric Picnic and he wants to give you a taste of what it was like.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
6:30 wake up early, want to be there before the crowds.
4:30 Woke up in a camp chair with a cigar hanging out of my mouth, people worried about me. I worried about the cigar.
1:00 Found a watch. I think I saw Lucinda Creighton shifting some beour from Knocka, but I also saw Brian Blessed knife fighting a Rainbow Unicorn. I may not be fully lucid at this stage.
9:30 Mike, who has the tickets, only woke up now, plan to get there early still possible. Possibly. 9:35-11:20 Laois is far away, it’s one of the ones in the middle right? It’s far away anyway, and I bet there’s a queue. 11:20 There’s a queue 11:25 Seriously, fuck this queue. 11:28 My bag of [non-alcoholic refreshments] fell apart. All my dreams are dust and ash. 11:30 This queue is so goddamn long. 11:31 I thought this queue would never end. 11:45 Gave up looking for somewhere nice, we’ll camp here, first can of refreshment comes out. 12:05 This tent is not designed for two people, two Hobbits maybe. 12:30 Actually check the lineup, haven’t seen the Coronas, neither has Mike... probably the only two people in Ireland who haven’t. 12:45 Our other friends tell us they’ll be here by 4, we throw a towel down for their tent. Go for a wander. 16:00? Probably? We get back to camp, someone has moved the towel, they have broken the sanctity of campsite honour. 16:30 Get the others set up, block off two tents entrances, don’t care, then I remember I brought [refreshments], I open one of them. 18:00 We’re inside the arena? I think? It’s got a stage that means we’re inside right? 19:00 No, we’re inside now, painfully middle class here, and this is coming from someone who’s called Xander. Darkness. Darkness is a time? Right? - The Coronas are playing. It’s pretty good. They’re pretty good? I dunno what I should actually say here, am I referring to them or the event? I’m really proving how much I overthink gigs. Sometime before the bars closed - I actually bought refreshments inside the arena, state of me.
10:00 Wander into the theatre of food, ate a bug, tastes alright. Eat magical [refreshment] sorbet, all my dreams come together at once. 12:30 Meet people I know, it’s nice, we hang out, I end up drinking cheap [refreshments], can’t tell if this is better or worse than the equally cheap [refreshing beverage]. 14:00 Got back to my tent, the others are waking up, finally. I realised I only saw like one band yesterday, need to work on that. 15:00 Why is it sunny? This is a festival, It shouldn’t be sunny. 16:00 Finally got to Body and Soul, this is all very homogenized hippyness, with forty year olds smoking weed they got from their kids dealer, decide to go to the comedy tent. 16:30 Found the cleanest bathrooms, cannot stress how important this is. They also have the smallest queue. Sometime after 5? Probably? Alright, at this stage, my phone died but I can remember the Rubberbandits, I saw them sometime after half four, that’s it, I may also have shifted someone in a Willie O’Dea Mask. Midnight? Maybe? I saw Sultans of Ping, going to Blur. Later Blur were shite.
3:00 I am lost in a Rave in the woods. 6:00 Found my tent, I thought it was beside a tree. 6:01 Not my tent, running away. 6:30 Found my tent for real, people from next door are sitting outside, have a chat with them. 10:00 I fell asleep, apparently. 11:00 Mike and I made it to the theatre of food for the hangover food event. 11:30 I’m making a 72 foot long piece of pasta, there’s me, the guy organising it, some families, and like four people who are so hungover they can’t argue when we tell them to hold something. 12:00 Decided to have a nap in the Irish Times tent, no one seems to mind. 14:00 Woke up, got some more free [refreshments], and two bottles of [pirate refreshments], I feel like this will taste like regret, or worse, Bacardi. 14:30 There are showers here, this is amazing. There is also a queue, which is becoming a recurring theme. 15:30 I feel like a new, clean, man. This is great. 16:00 I decide that the best way to enjoy a Villagers gig is to drink a bottle of [pirate refreshment]. 19:00 Does anyone else think the frontman for Villagers looks like a Hobbit? All woven cloths and hair and folk music. 22:30 Do I want to go to Tame Impala? I could stay up the front at mainstage for Florence and the Machine. 22:35 I am being squashed against the barriers by teenage girls pushing to the front for Florence, I call my friends and say goodbye. I should have gone to Tame Impala. Florence is not worth it. 23:30 Florence touched me, with her hand. It’s worth it. 01:00 I arm wrestled some guy selling pies and won a free one, it’s great.
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FILM & TELEVISION Clash of the Titans Wave bye-bye to Saorview filled evenings as we dissect and discover the best anytime TV streaming site for students. New to college and looking for a cheap form of procrastination? Or maybe you’re just sick of watching the Jeremy Kyle and Judge Judy repeats on Saorview? Well fear not. Olivia Brown has taken time out of her hectic “New Girl” Marathon to research and review some of the best anytime tv streaming service for students. (Disclaimer: While there are many other streaming services out there, both Netflix and Amazon Prime are the two most accessible in Ireland so we’ve just compared the two.)
Netflix €7.99 per month Everyone’s go to classic, Netflix. What started off as an online DVD rental firm has become one of the biggest streaming websites worldwide. For the majority of students this will be the first place they look when on the hunt for a new series to binge. It boasts over a petabyte worth of movies and TV episodes available for streaming, the rough equivalent to about 223,000 DVDs. Everyone is talking about their award winning series, from Orange is the New Black to House of Cards, BoJack Horseman and Unbreakable
Kimmy Schmidt. Netflix also has a large selection of unique documentaries, which are also pretty ace. Plans start from as little as €7.99 per month and the extortionate price of €9.99 per month for HD. The monthly price-plan is easy for any student to budget and there are no cancellation fees if you change your mind. The service is available on almost every possible media device known to mankind, which means
you can continue your Netflix binge anywhere, even on campus. Fun Fact: the ORB and the library provide the comfiest Netflix viewing experience in UCC. On the other hand, Netflix has a sneaky habit of removing its content. So while you can look forward to new releases every month, it also means saying goodbye to something else. Many of the films and TV shows released on the website aren’t exactly the most recent in the world either.
There is also a significant difference between the content found on the UK site and the content available on the US one. While this can be easily overcome with a bit of googling and some technical gobbledegook, which I cannot understand and thus know nothing about, it is still a bit of a pain.
-vs-
Amazon Prime Instant Video £79 per annum (approx. €100) I’m not going to lie, when I started researching this Amazon streaming service my head began to hurt, a lot. Amazon Prime Instant Video is replacing the old DVD-rental firm Love Film. There are over 15,000 titles available for streaming alone. While the content on Amazon is much more recent than that found on Netflix, you’ll still have to wait a while to get the latest blockbusters. With Amazon you get access to the US content with your UK subscription so there isn’t the whole UK/US content divide debacle that you have with Netflix.
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Amazon do have their own original series too, but competing against the Netflix heavyweights was always going to be tough. Their titles include the likes of Hand of God and Catastrophe. Despite one of their titles, Transparent, winning 2 Golden Globes, you’d be forgiven for not recognising any of these series. The shows just don’t seem to generate as much buzz as the Netflix creations. Similarly to Netflix, Amazon is also available on practically every technical device that supports video streaming. So, again, you never have to worry about leaving your favourite shows behind you when you leave the
house. Yes, your procrastination can accompany you to the library while you “study”. Amazon’s pricing can be a bit of a pain for a broke student. You pay for an annual subscription to the Prime service which means forking out a lump sum of €100 all at once. You do get a lot more for your money, it just depends if you want all the added extras such as free one day shipping on selected items, access to the Kindle lending library and a free music streaming service. It does sound very expensive but it still works out as a mere €8 per month. There isn’t that much of a difference now, and Amazon
do offer their other services included in this price. Like I said, I know it’s a bit more complex but if you stick with Amazon you could end up getting a lot more for your money. The main thing to remember is while all the content on Amazon is available to you, unless you see the green Prime banner, the content is available to stream for free and you’ll have to pay a little extra to download or rent it.
Amazon do have many added incentives to its service. However it will not be the first choice for the majority of people as many are unsure of how the service works. The brand “Netflix” has become synonymous with anytime TV. The name alone implies days dedicated to your new favourite series. The many attractions for students include the cheap subscription cost, which is paid monthly and no cancellation fees. A major incentive to the service are the “Netflix Originals” along with the many UK and US shows, films and documentaries which are currently available. However the website does lacks the more recent blockbusters, despite its large collection of back catalogue films and series. To round it off, Amazon have a much better deal on paper. You get more for your money. Nevertheless many screen addicts will still turn to the giant that is Netflix. Competition between the two is fierce, Amazon is determined to be the best in every area and Netflix is clearly giving them a hard fight to the top. At the end of the day it comes down to the type of films and shows you’re looking for. Content is a personal thing and there is no point in paying for a service that has nothing on it that you’re anyway interested in. So yeah, it’s up to you really.
FILM & TV
EDITOR - OLIVIA BROWN
Tom Hardy Holding Dogs... and Something About a Movie? by Olivia Brown Okay, so I appreciate that this may not be the significant, ground breaking film news you were expecting, I’m sure many will appreciate these incredibly relevant pictures of Tom Hardy cuddling some adorable puppies. While Hardy was on the Alan Carr Show promoting his latest flick Legend the conversation quickly turned to that of the Instagram account “tomhardyholdingdogs” . Carr decided to help the account in their quest to
photograph Tom with every conceivable breed of dog and brought on several pups for the star to be photographed with. In his most recent venture Hardy plays notorious gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray, otherwise known as the Kray Twins, who terrorize London during the 1950s and 1960s. Yeah, that’s right. He’s playing both parts and is proving to be a huge hit with the critics.
The film, which was released earlier this month, also stars Emily Browning and Christopher Eccleston. The plot centres on the twins at the peak of their control over the city as they move from the East End to clubs in the Knightsbridge and Mayfair areas, mingling with celebrities of the day like Frank Sinatra.
Catch Hardy in “Legend” in cinemas now
Angelina Jolie to Work with Oscar-nominated Animation Studio by Olivia Brown This summer saw Angelina Jolie-Pitt named executive producer on the Irish animated film The Breadwinner. Jolie Pitt and her production company Jolie Pas Productions have teamed up with Cartoon Saloon on The Breadwinner, directed by The Secret of Kells co-director Nora Twomey. Based on young adult novel of the same name by Canadian author Deborah Ellis, The Breadwinner
tells the story of a young girls called Parvana, living under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Parvana is forced to disguise herself as a boy and become the breadwinner of the family following the unjust imprisonment of her father. Ellis based the novel on her experiences visiting refugee camps in a turbulent Afghanistan during the 1990s. A strong activist, Jolie Pitt funds a girls’ school in Afghanistan.
“Millions of young girls like Parvana are growing up today under oppression or conflict, and helping their families to survive in those conditions. This story is a reminder of the immense value of their contribution.” “I am delighted to be working with a talented team of artists who I know will do justice to the richness, creativity and strength of Afghan culture and to little girls like Parvana,” the star was quoted saying.
Skip over to page 8 to read Byline’s interview with Cartoon Saloon founder and director of both The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, Tomm Moore.
Things to Watch-Out for This Week Film & TV Editor Olivia Brown gathers a quick collection of all things screen related you should look out for this week Solace (25th Sept) This Friday sees the release of American mystery thriller, Solace. Directed by and starring Anthony Hopkins, Solace tells the story of a psychic who teams up with the FBI to catch an unusual serial killer. The film was initially intended to be a sequel to Se7en however the idea was scrapped, yet the influence of this original idea still remains. Already released in Europe, this one should make for an interesting viewing. Solace is out in cinemas this Friday, 25th September
Arcade Fire: The Reflektor Tapes (24th Sept) Directed by 2013 Sundance Prize winner Kahlil Joseph, The Reflektor Tapes is a fascinating insight into the making of Arcade Fire’s international #1 album Reflektor. It charts the band’s creative journey from Jamaica, where the foundations for the album are laid, to their breath-taking live show to packed arenas in Los Angeles and London. The Reflektor Tapes includes never before seen personal clips captured by the band and features 15 minutes of exclusive unseen footage, filmed only for cinema audiences. Catch this at the Cork Omniplex this Thursday, 24th September @ 9PM.
Doctor Who: Series 9 (Out 19th Sept) Described as “the glory years of the Doctor and Clara”, Peter Capaldi is back in his second series as the Doctor, along with Jenna-Louise Coleman as his trusted companion. The pair are up to their old antics, after overcoming some initial teething problems since the Doctor’s regeneration. The TARDIS has got a makeover and the Doctor has decided to have some more fun. Executive Producer Steven Moffat promises that “You’ll be grinning a lot more and there’s more comedy mixed in with some of the darkest stuff we’ve done - the Doctor’s first big entrance sets the tone.”
15 Catch up with the first episode on the BBC iPlayer, then follow the Doctor and Clara on their adventures every Saturday @ 19:40 on BBC 1.
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