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Cara Gaynor 

BA [Hons] Film + Television Production

Cara Gaynor is a 23 year old filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland. She majored in directing in her final year at the National Film School, IADT, Ireland. As well as directing, she shares an equal appreciation for cinematography and screenwriting. During her four years, she has written and directed three IADT fictional shorts as well as a short documentary, 'A Mother's Gift' which has recently won awards. Giving people a platform to share their stories and to raise awareness through a creative and colourful lens is extremely important in every project Cara creates and works on.

'Don't Force Gravity' is a poetic narrative that explores the highs and lows of life through the beauty of confetti. Written and directed by myself for my final year graduate film.
'A Mother's Gift' is a short documentary based on three Irish business women from Dublin who have either inherited their business from their mothers or hope to pass their business onto the next female generation within their family. They each come from very different backgrounds and give us an insight into what it is like to run a business and the struggles of keeping a legacy and a tradition alive. Awards: Europe Film Festival U.K - The Jury Special Award 2021. New York Indie Shorts Awards - Best Female Student Director 2021. WRPN Women's International Film Festival - Exceptional Merit Award 2021.
This project was made in support of Irish performers during lockdown and to give these artists a chance to perform and do what they love. Interviews and visuals are also seen on instagram @cazablanca in which each artist expresses what they miss the most and what they've learned this past year.
'Forward Thinking' is a visual insight into young and old perspectives of coping with isolation during COVID - 19. It explores the beauty of nature that grows outside my door through a visual lens. This project consists of interviews about lessons people have learned over the past year and their hopes for a brighter future. The film is a personal lesson in itself as it shows the juxtaposition between the wants and needs of different ages and shows us how we shouldn't take a walk for granted as some can't even leave their room. Shortlisted for the Student Award Rising Star: 'Stay At Home' at Prix Europa
'Growing Up Is Overrated' is a short film made by the babysitter and the kids. Jacob fears that his older brother won’t play with him anymore now that he’s a teenager and decides to take immediate action but no older brother ever lets their younger sibling win.. My lockdown experience mainly consisted of writing my thesis and babysitting, so to keep my creative mind going I made a film with the kids I babysit.
'Green Nude' is a film by Cara Gaynor and Fia Karma Wren. Inspired by the painting 'Green Nude' by Edwina Sandy. For the 'Abstract and Emotional' Project (Final Year).
I Fall in Love When the Stars Come Out is a short film based on a boy who battles internal conflicts with a perfect girl he has created in his dreams and coming to terms with the acceptance of his real life and the people who are truly there. For the 'Visual Drama' Project in the National Film School, Ireland (Third Year).
'Together Again' is based on dreams and memories and that when people pass in our lives we hold onto the memories we've shared with them, but their spirit isn't alive in those memories, nor is ours. It's a story of the past. In order to keep people's spirits alive, we dream about them. We might have lost them in the real world but never in the surreal world of our dreams. Written, Directed, Filmed and Edited by myself for the 'Film is Art' Project in the National Film School, Ireland (Second year).
'Two Cities' is a poetic narrative based on my upbringing in Dublin and New York. It explores the differences of each city and my love for both. Written, directed, edited and music written and performed by myself for the 'Personal Project' in the National Film School, Ireland (First year).

The Director as the Artist: A Discourse of the Auteur’s use of Colour and Design within Cinema.

This thesis explores the director being the auteur of his or her film. It focuses on this particular directorial style and how these directors use colour and design to benefit the narrative of their story. It explores the works of Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson and Guillermo del Toro and the juxtaposition of each of their works, and how they are all considered an auteur within cinema

Film + Television Production
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