UCC graduate writes fairytale with a Cork twist

7 May 2024

• UCC Film and Screen Media alum Amy Louise O'Callaghan publishes debut book.

Goldilocks is known as an expert on judging when things are “just right”, so who better to advise the Three Bears on the perfect birthday gifts for their friend?

UCC Film and Screen Media graduate Amy Louise O’Callaghan’s debut children’s book ‘A Cork Fairytale’ is published today. Inspired by mythology and folktales to her favourite animated films, Amy has written and illustrated a modern take on the well-known tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The Three Bears need help from Goldilocks to choose presents for a special friend. First walking through the grounds of UCC, Goldilocks and the Three Bears visit Fitzgerald’s Park, the Shakey Bridge, Shandon Tower, the Shakey Bridge, the Everyman theatre, the English Market, Blackrock, Blarney and Cobh.

Combining a career in film and illustration

Ahead of publication day, Amy explained how she balances her career in film with her illustration. “Film and illustration very much sit side by side as they're my two biggest passions, and I'm always trying to wear both hats. Illustration inadvertently took off for me in 2019 and during the pandemic, as I grew an audience online. However, for the last three years I've also worked as an Education Officer for the Irish Film Institute, giving me plenty of opportunities to combine my love for film with my art skills. I'm soon moving into more contract-based work for the film-side, focusing on film programming and festivals, so that'll really free up a lot of time to focus on illustration more too.”

The art of cinematography and storytelling

Amy’s background studying Film and Screen Media at undergraduate and postgraduate level has influenced her approach to storytelling in her debut book.

“Part of my studies in Film & Screen Media included screenwriting and short filmmaking, all of which really helped me develop my storywriting skills, and most importantly, keeping things short. An average picturebook is only 32 pages so it felt like a really easy transition to make. With regards to my other illustration work, I draw a lot from films I watch, cinematography and compositions and cinematography I like. I make comics sometimes and once again, knowledge of cinematography and storytelling is vital, so it's really had an impact I feel."

Amy’s says her time at UCC helped to prepare for writing and publishing her first book, with her involvement in student societies helping to grow her confidence.

“Obviously there was the technical stuff - I learned everything from how to construct a story to Photoshop, web design and video content creation in my course, all skills I required for putting the book together and work further as an illustrator and promote myself. As well as that, involvement in societies really helped me with my confidence. My friends and I restarted the Film Society in 2016, and I was the Chairperson for 2016/2017. This was great for helping me learn to put myself out there, public speaking, workshop delivery, all skills and experience I didn't realise I would require when working as an illustrator but somehow utilise all the time.”

Advice for aspiring authors and filmmakers

Amy advises UCC students, aspiring authors or filmmakers, to focus on creating authentically and with passion. “My best advice would be to focus on work you genuinely love and care about, as the audience will come from that. If you're creating from a place of passion, I think people really respond to that, and there's a niche for everything. Also, while it isn't the be all and end all, I would really recommend developing some form of a social media presence if hoping to pursue creative work.”

“Pick an app you like and enjoy using, don't force yourself on TikTok if you hate making videos, etc, and start sharing your stuff. The vast majority of my creative opportunities have been due to social media. It's not a requirement, I know many working creatives with little to no presence, but personally speaking I can't deny its usefulness as a tool for putting yourself out there, as it truly is where I got my start.”

Published by O'Brien Press, ‘A Cork Fairytale’ is out now.

Learn more about UCC's BA in Film and Screen Media and MA in Film and Screen Media