The Story
The Story Works is a company owned and operated by Nick. It was initially established to run the independent TV writers room of the same name set up by him in 2019, and is now used as a production and development vehicle for his independent film and TV projects. The first feature produced by The Story Works, Nick’s documentary The Song Cycle, premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2024 where it won BEST INDEPENDENT FILM.
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Works in Progress
THE SONG CYCLE - Feature Documentary Film
In 2022, Nick decides to cycle from his home in Dublin to the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, carrying his guitar, tent, and all other necessities on his bicycle while playing shows in towns along the way. He is accompanied by his great friend and musical partner, Sean Millar, who tracks his progress using public transport, joins him onstage every night, and acts as a witty, long-suffering, and sometimes skeptical Sancho Panza to his Don Quixote. On the day they finally play Glastonbury, Nick turns 60, thereby outliving his politician father, John Kelly, who died at age 59 and was unaware of the existence of Glastonbury, much less contemplated attending it. While inspired by environmental concerns, The Song Cycle turns out to be about other forms of sustainability too. Ultimately it encourages viewers to stay in the saddle and keep pedaling, whatever the weather, traffic, or gradient faced.
THE SEA LION - Feature Film, Drama
Long term rough sleeper FRANCIS has devised a resourceful but precarious system of survival – until his instinctive dive into a river to rescue a suicidal young woman NADIA draws unwanted media and public attention, culminating in him being burnt out of his tent. When Nadia’s well-meaning father FELIX learn of his plight, he invites Francis to move into the vacant casita on the grounds of their affluent family home – overriding the horrified objections of his wife AMANDA. But Francis’s disruptive presence threatens the stability of the already traumatised family – especially when they learn that he harbours dark secrets from his own past.
REPEAT TO FADE - TV Series, Comedy Drama
Raymond failed to become a rock star 25 years ago. But, having failed even worse at everything else he’s tried since, he’s going to have another go. Repeat To Fade is a comedy drama set in the somewhat bizarre world of “Heritage” rock tours, where famous – and often not-so-famous – bands from decades past reform to perform their old music to their now-old fans. Yes, there will be sex, drugs and rock’n’roll – and each of Raymond’s estranged former band mates is a poster boy for one of these classic tropes – but also erectile dysfunction, memory loss and tinnitus. The only thing that hasn’t changed are the obsessive, borderline crazy fans – in fact, if anything they may have got even crazier.
BEDSITTERLAND - Feature Film, Drama
Home-schooled, and raised in rural isolation by her protective father GILES and invalid mother MARIANNE, socially naïve but plucky JUDITH is excited to embark on an independent new life in the big city. But shortly after her arrival a violent agoraphobic attack traps her within her scruffy multi-occupancy bedsit house. She fashions an ingenious indoor life for herself, recruiting one fellow-tenant, carefree backpacker IAN, as an ally for practical challenges, and being inspired by another, reclusive wheelchair-bound painter WILLIAM, to envisage an emotionally fulfilling existence without ever going outdoors again. Meanwhile she resists the increasing urgent pleas from Giles to abandon her foolhardy move and return to her remote country home and ailing mother. But as ominous clouds gather, both literally and figuratively, she’s forced to decide between safety and freedom.
THE STORY WORKS - Sustainability Guidelines
The Story Works is an independent production company and our ambition is for Ireland to be a leader in sustainable film and TV production.
As the climate and biodiversity crises escalate, the need to reduce emissions and transition to a circular economy is becoming more and more urgent. In line with global and EU climate targets, Ireland has set ambitious climate action goals, aiming to deliver a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and be ‘climate neutral’ by 2050.
As a film production company, we believe that we can and must contribute to achieving these targets. We are fully committed to supporting and encouraging the industry to play its part.
We have created and published our own set of sustainability guidelines and targets which are available for download.