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The Devil Makes Work

A prisoner reflects on life as he approaches the end of his sentence. The Prison Chaplain raises questions on morality whilst a parole board force him to face his own actions.

  • Colin O'Reilly
    Director
  • Colin O'Reilly
    Writer
  • Colin O'Reilly
    Producer
  • David Philpott
    Key Cast
    "Mr Lawrence"
  • Ben Shockley
    Key Cast
    "Prison Chaplain"
  • Lucille Ferguson
    Key Cast
    "Parole Board"
  • John Powell
    Key Cast
    "Parole Board"
  • Kim King
    Key Cast
    "Parole Board"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,800 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Full Frame
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Golden Lion International Film Festival (GLIFF)
    Kolkata, West Bengal
    India
    October 22, 2023
    Indian Premere
    Winner - Best Micro Short Film
  • 2 11 17 International Film Festival
    Chenbai, Tamil Nadu
    India
    November 3, 2023
    Winner - Best Cinematography
  • Reale Film Festival - BiMonthly Awards
    Milano
    Italy
    November 10, 2023
    Milano, ITALY Premiere
    Winner - Best Screenplay
Director Biography - Colin O'Reilly

Colin O'Reilly is a Director DOP from Folkestone, Kent. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Radio & Television Studies from Canterbury Christ Church University. Colin was hired as camera department trainee by Screen South, and Kent Film Office, for Maeve Films third feature 'The Calling (2009). On set he would learn a great deal from award winning Cinematographer Ole Bratt Birkeland. Following this he gained valuable experience in the lighting department of the Hindi film Rustom (2016). THE DEVIL MAKES WORK is Colin's directorial debut, he has ambitions to become a Director DOP for films and TV.

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Director Statement

I was inspired to Direct 'The Devil Makes Work' after visiting my brother in prison. During visits I would look at the inmates around me and wonder what circumstances had led them to be there.

I took the opportunity to stop David on the street one day and asked him if he'd be interested in making a film. Although David had never acted before he explained that he had been in prison before, and agreed. I had always wanted to shoot in full frame for a shallower depth of field and I love the look you get with vintage glass.

I wrote scripts for the locations I could secure and we would meet up to experiment with shots on the streets. I wanted to make a film which conveyed my feelings I experienced whilst visiting prison. David wanted to make a film which captured some of his own moments from his own life.

I am inspired by Directors such as Ken Loach & Shane Meadows, and identity as a working class Director. I took a lot of visual inspiration from 'The Wall', 'One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest', and 'Dead Man's Shoe's' when planning my shots.

I self funded this production and also ran a successful crowdfunding campaign during post production. I spent some of this on a C100 MKI and we have already begun shooting our next project.