Bands, boxers and the home team support Damien

When 'Sons & Broken Noses' begins filming in a week's time, Kilcullen-born screenwriter Damien 'Ozzie' Aulsberry doesn't want to be asked how 'his' movie is going, writes Brian Byrne.

"It's your movie," he told those who came to The Spout Bar last night in a home village fundraiser for the short film, the screenplay for which has won awards as far away as Los Angeles and Wexford and Florida in between. "So ask me how 'our' movie is doing," he told his Spout night supporters.

The event attracted many friends and also brought musical support from two quite different bands, 'Unorthodox Behaviour' from Newbridge and 'Moonlight Drive'. It was a great night, not least because of the intriguiing style of the former, led by Noely White on guitar with percussionist Alan McDonald giving a literally stand-up performance alongside Niecie Loftus on saxophone. Their usual bass player Andrew O'Donnell wasn't available but they got excellent underpinning from Moonlight Drive's guy, whose name I forgot to get … apologies.

Damien, like many writers, isn't actually comfortable in the limelight that is the stuff of the stage. But he was in his home space, so there were people to talk to as he met and greeted in The Spout. Having Fergal Sloan as MC meant he only had to go up front once, in between the bands. But at that point he made his case well.

A local man doing what a writer has to do. Write, submit. Wait for the rejection letters (he didn't say that last, but it seems that they haven't been so many). His latest script especially has attracted significant professional attention.

'Sons & Broken Noses' begins shooting in a medieval castle near Athenry on Saturday next. It has a stellar Irish cast which includes Eric Lalor and Jason Byrne, and the recent addition of Robert McCormack to replace Emmett Byrne who had to opt out because of a late major part offer.

"I had to change the script a little, because they decided to use Dunsandle Castle as a location," Damien says, but agreeing that this is the kind of thing that keeps a screenplay 'alive' during the filming process.

The fundraising was by means of a raffle, with prizes donated by Hair by Eilis, Berneys Chemist, Jolene Chaney, Sarah Conlon and more. The big surprise prize was a boxing glove signed by local boxer going big in Australia, Denis Hogan — whose kit Damien designed — and WBO welterweight Champion Jeff Horn from Australia. That was won by Tina Connolly from Clongorey.

Altogether a fabulous night of fundraising, fun, and great music.