John Walsh (filmmaker)

John Walsh is a filmmaker and author. He is the founder of the film company Walsh Bros. Ltd.[2] His film work on subjects such as social mobility and social justice have received two BAFTA nominations.

John Walsh
Walsh at BAFTA Film Awards
Born
London, England
NationalityBritish, Irish
EducationLondon Film School[1]
OccupationFilm Director
Screenwriter
Film Producer
Notable work
Monarch
ToryBoy The Movie
Headhunting The Homeless
Websitewww.walshbros.co.uk

Early life and education

A filmmaker from a young age, Walsh had his first super-8 camera by the age of ten.[3] At the age of 18 he was the youngest student accepted to the London Film School in 1989[4] where his documentary work got him noticed with his film on stop-motion animation filmmaker Ray Harryhausen. Walsh graduated from the London Film School in 1990 or 1991, according to its blog.[5][6] Walsh is a Trustee of the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation.[7][8]

Film

In 2010, Walsh stood as a Parliamentary candidate in the 2010 General Election and made the gonzo-style documentary feature film Tory Boy The Movie which was released in cinemas in 2011 and 2012.[9] The film follows Walsh as he becomes a Conservative candidate after a lifetime of voting Labour. In the film, he claims that Sir Stuart Bell, the Labour Party's MP in Middlesbrough, is absent so often from Middlesbrough that he is an unsuitable candidate.[10] According to Richard Moss, the political editor for BBC North East & Cumbria, "some silliness aside, it is a thought-provoking insight into the way our political system works or doesn't work on the ground."[11] It was subsequently nominated for the Grierson Awards for "Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme".[12] The film received a re-release in cinemas in 2015 in the lead-up to the 2015 UK General Election.[13][14] The student union at Teesside University cancelled a screening of it in 2015.[15]

In 2014 Walsh's remastered version of the film Monarch was released.[16] The original negative for the film had been lost. The film starred late Irish stage and screen actor T. P. McKenna and Jean Marsh.[17] This subsequently led to cinema showing starting at the Tricycle Cinema.[18][19][20]

Television

In 2010, Walsh's five part BBC series on childhood homeless Sofa Surfers[21] was nominated for the Social Award at the Rose d'Or Awards.[22]

The BAFTA-nominated 2010 film My Life: Karate Kids[23] for the first time tackled issues of bullying among disabled children. It was narrated by David Tennant.[24][25] This is also one of the most repeated documentaries in BBC history.[26]

The Monte Carlo Golden Nymph Award nominated[27] BBC film Toy Soldiers, made in 2010 and screened in 2014, presented the point of view of the bereaved children of UK service personnel. Walsh discussed this on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme.[28] The film was mentioned positively by retired psychiatrist Geraldine Walford, who said been shown in schools across the country[29] It was also nominated for Foundation Prix Jeunesse in 2012.

Walsh's three-part Grierson Trust-nominated BBC series Headhunting The Homeless[30] was part of the BBC's 120 most treasured programmes of the first half of 2013 in the corporation's drive to convince its critics that the licence fee should not be abolished.[31]The Guardian described the series as "truly touching".[32] and also chose it as their Pick of the Day[33] Walsh worked with charity boss Eva Hamilton MBE again on her subsequent venture Key4Life[34] and made a five-minute publicity film for them in December 2013 about their work with former young offenders.[35]

The BAFTA-nominated[36] and New York Film Festival-winning[37] Channel 4 series Don't Make Me Angry was about anger management.[38] This ran for two series.[39]

Walsh Bros Ltd.

Walsh founded his company in 1992.[40] Walsh Bros Ltd. was ranked in the Televisual Magazine's list of the top 100 independent film companies in the UK in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.[41][42][43][44]

Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation

Walsh has been a Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation since 2014.[8] He first met with Ray Harryhausen in the late 1980s as a film student of the London Film School[45] and in 1990 wrote and directed a 15-minute documentary entitled Ray Harryhausen: Movement Into Life, narrated by Tom Baker.

Walsh filmed and recorded commentary tracks with Ray Harryhausen in his London home commencing 17 May 2012.[46] Since that date recordings were made for Clash of The Titans, Mysterious Island, The 3 Worlds of Gulliver, First Men in the Moon with Randy Cook, The Valley of Gwangi with his daughter Vanessa Harryhausen, One Million Years B.C. with Martine Beswick, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad with fellow Trustee Caroline Munro, Mighty Joe Young with film director John Landis and Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger with SFX artist Colin Arthur.[47][48] Walsh donated the film and sound footage to the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation[49] and they contain many new revelations by Ray on how his films were created and produced.

Writing and journalism

In additional to his film and TV screenplays, Walsh has written for various print and online publications on film history, politics and religion in The Daily Telegraph,[50]The Independent,[51] The Catholic Herald [52] and Conservative Home.[53] He contributed to the Titan Books title, Ray Harryhausen Poster Art Book, written by sci-fi journalist and author Richard Holliss.[54]

His first book Harryhausen: The Lost Movies was published September 10, 2019 by Titan Books [55]

His second book will be Flash Gordon: The Official Story of the Film to be published in October 2020 by Titan Books [56]

Filmography / awards
Year Title Role Film / television Award / nomination*
2020 Flash Gordon: The Official Story of the Film Producer, director, writer Documentary feature film
2019 Harryhausen: The Lost Movies Producer, director, writer Documentary feature film
2016 - 2018 The Ray Harryhausen Podcast Originator, co-host Radio series Rondo Hatton Awards* "Best Multi-Media"[57]
2016 Jupiter Pluvius at the Tate[58] Producer, director, writer Documentary
2015 ToryBoy The Movie (re-release) Producer, director, writer Feature film Grierson Awards Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme[59]
2014 Monarch (re-release) Producer, director, writer, editor Feature film
2014 Monarch Restoring A King[60] Producer, director, writer, editor Documentary
2013 Key 4 Life[35] Producer, director, writer 15-minute documentary
2012 Blinding Producer, director, writer BBC documentary
2012 ToryBoy The Aftermath Producer, director, writer Documentary
2011 ToryBoy The Movie Producer, director, writer Feature film Grierson Awards Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme[59]
2010 Toy Soldiers[61] Producer, director, writer BBC documentary Monte-Carlo Television Festival[27] and Prix Jeunesse Munich*[62]
2009 The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship Producer, director, writer Documentary for the British Council
2009 My Life: Karate Kids[63] Producer, director, writer BBC documentary BAFTA[64]
2008 Sofa Surfers[65][66][67] Producer, director, writer BBC documentary Rose d'Or Social Award[68]
2007 Don't Make Me Angry - Series 2[69] Producer, director, writer Channel 4 documentary New York Television Festival Best Young Adult Special Documentary Series[37]
2006 Don't Make Me Angry - Series 1[70] Producer, director, writer Channel 4 documentary BAFTA[36]
2003 Headhunting The Homeless[31][71][72] Producer, director, writer BBC documentary Grierson Awards Best Documentary Series[73]
2001 Nu Model Armi Producer, director, writer Channel 4 documentary
2001 TREX2 Producer, director, writer Channel 5 documentary
2000 TREX Producer, director, writer Channel 5 documentary
2000 Monarch Producer, director, writer, editor Feature film
1999 Cowboyz & Cowgirlz Producer, director, writer Channel 5 documentary
1998 Boyz & Girlz : Greece Producer, director, writer Channel 5 documentary
1998 Boyz & Girlz Producer, director, writer Channel 5 documentary
1991 Masque of Draperie Producer, director, writer, editor Documentary
1990 The Comedy Store Producer, director, writer, editor Documentary
1990 The Sceptic and the Psychic Producer, writer Drama
1989 Ray Harryhausen: Movement Into Life[74][75][45] Producer, director, writer 15-minute documentary
1989 The Sleeper Producer, director, writer, editor Drama
1985 A State of Mind Producer, director, Writer, editor Drama Screen Test BBC Young Film Maker of the Year 1985*[76]

References
  1. "LFS News:".
  2. "Walsh Bros". walshbros.co.uk.
  3. "The Greenwich Visitor August 2016". content.yudu.com.
  4. "Greenwich Visitor August 2016". Issuu.
  5. John Walsh nominated for a BAFTA Children's Award for documentary 'My Life: Karate Kids' Today, LFS News: The London Film School News Blog, November 2010
  6. John Walsh nominated for Rose D'Or Award for 'Sofa Surfers', LFS News: The London Film School News Blog, November 2010
  7. http://www.rayharryhausen.com/trustees/
  8. "OSCR | Page Not Found". www.oscr.org.uk.
  9. "ToryBoy visits the Frontline Club". Frontline Club.
  10. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/no-surgeries-for-14-years-is-sir-stuart-bell-britains-laziest-mp-2350953.html
  11. "Tory Boy takes on Sir Stuart Bell in documentary film". BBC News.
  12. "The Grierson Trust :: Shortlist - 2011". griersontrust.org. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014.
  13. "Satirical film ToryBoy The Movie returns to big screen". The Irish Post.
  14. "BAFTA-nominated Greenwich filmmaker's controversial ToryBoy returns to cinemas before election". News Shopper.
  15. "Student Union involved in row over planned screening of controversial Toryboy the Movie". The North Crowd. 27 April 2015.
  16. "Lost joys: Directors reveal searches for missing movies". BBC News.
  17. "News in Canary Wharf | InYourArea". InYourArea.co.uk.
  18. "Monarch - Tricycle". tricycle.co.uk.
  19. http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11441818.Critically_acclaimed_movie_shot_in_Charlton_set_for_high_definition_re_release/
  20. "Rare TP McKenna film to be screened after original tapes recovered". The Irish Post.
  21. "Sofa Surfers". bbc.co.uk.
  22. "Rose d'Or nominations announced". realscreen.com.
  23. "My Life". RadioTimes.
  24. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rl860/credits
  25. https://www.david-tennant-news.com/tv-narration/my-life-karate-kids/
  26. http://www.sanjuromartialarts.com/blog/2016/2/11/bafta-nominated-karate-kids-on-bbc-this-saturday-13th-february-2016
  27. http://www.tvfestival.com/dan/2015/DOWNLOADS/2012/DP_FTV2012_UK_BD
  28. "audioBoom / Father's death 'took a chunk out of my heart'". audioBoom. March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  29. "Toy soldiers - childhood bereavement in the armed forces". Dr Morton's. "good to see this sensitive and crucially important topic being opened up for people to learn from."
  30. "Headhunting the Homeless". bbc.co.uk.
  31. John Plunkett. "BBC list aims to win over critics". the Guardian.
  32. https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/may/18/features.review7
  33. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/may/07/tvandradio.television1
  34. http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1152426&subid=0
  35. Key4Life: the film, Key4Life.org.uk
  36. http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=don%27t+make+me+angry
  37. http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/tvfilm/main.php?p=3,1&wp=info&id=326439
  38. http://timepsychology.com/tv-posts/dont-make-me-angry-series-1-2005/
  39. http://timepsychology.com/tv-posts/dont-make-me-angry-series-2-2007/
  40. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/02706938
  41. http://www.televisual.com/read-reports-surveys/4/30/Indies-61-70.html
  42. Televisual Media Ltd UK. "Televisual - REPORTS & SURVEYS". televisual.com.
  43. Televisual Media Ltd UK. "Televisual - REPORTS & SURVEYS". televisual.com.
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  45. http://www.cinemamuseum.org.uk/2016/ray-harryhausen-and-me/
  46. "Ray Harryhausen - The Official Website". rayharryhausen.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015.
  47. http://www.harryhausen100.com/podcasts/
  48. https://www.visegradfilmforum.com/2017/news/news-detail/article/colin-arthur/
  49. http://www.rayharryhausen.com/people/john-walsh/
  50. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/godzilla-size-chickens-stop-motion-aeneid-lost-worlds-ray-harryhausen/
  51. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/molly-dineen-notes-from-the-underground-2275040.html?amp
  52. https://catholicherald.co.uk/tag/john-walsh/
  53. https://www.conservativehome.com/author/john-walsh
  54. http://camdennewjournal.com/article/piecing-together-the-story-of-ray-harryhausen
  55. https://titanbooks.com/9849-harryhausen-the-lost-movies/
  56. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/667683/flash-gordon-the-official-story-of-the-film-by-john-walsh/9781789095067
  57. http://rondoaward.com/rondoaward.com/blog/?p=741
  58. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  59. http://www.griersontrust.org/grierson-awards/past-awards/2011/the-grierson-awards-2011-shortlist/
  60. http://www.monarchfilm.com/restoration.html
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  62. http://www.prixjeunesse.de/themen/festival/2012/catalog/catalog_2012_web.pdf
  63. "My Life: Karate Kids". David Tennant News.
  64. http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=karate+kids
  65. "LFS News:: June 2010". lfs.org.uk.
  66. "Sofa Surfers". RadioTimes.
  67. https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/default.asp?c=7983&print=1
  68. http://realscreen.com/2010/06/10/rosedornoms-20100610/
  69. "Learning - Don't Make Me Angry". channel4learning.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  70. https://online.clickview.co.uk/exchange/series/58901/don-t-make-me-angry?sort=productionyear
  71. "BBC - Press Office - Headhunting the Homeless". bbc.co.uk.
  72. "Video title". OVGuide. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  73. http://www.griersontrust.org/grierson-awards/past-awards/2003/the-grierson-awards-2003-winners/#award6
  74. "Ray Harryhausen: Movement Into Life (1990)". IMDb. 18 March 1990.
  75. http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8120e60d
  76. http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/c4dd298a94344023be3a4d7aa84f32d6
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