Thomas Wallace
The Mood Killer is a 30-second horror-comedy ad I directed as part of the Kodak/NAHEMI student commercial competition. It was based on a brief from Brook, a UK-based sexual health charity, and my goal was to challenge the tired idea that condoms "kill the mood".
Where Eagle Scouts Dare is a short comedy film that I wrote and directed, parodying classic war and action movies from the 1960s and 1980s. Set during a high-stakes game of 'capture the flag', the story follows an inexperienced boy scout who must venture behind enemy lines to defeat a rival patrol and prove himself to his decorated patrol leader.
By blending genre homage with absurdist humour, the film plays with the conventions of action and war movies, all within the world of overzealous scouts. The film was awarded Best Student Short Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Festival.
At What Cost? is a social-realist drama exploring a man’s quiet descent into isolation, set against the backdrop of contemporary Dublin. Told over the course of a single day, the story offers a raw and intimate portrait of emotional strain, societal pressure, and personal collapse.
As producer, my focus was on delivering a grounded, character-driven production that allowed the emotional core of the film to shine. My responsibilities covered every stage of the production, from script development and budgeting to crewing, scheduling, post-production, and festival planning. I also led casting and location scouting across Dublin, ensuring each setting felt both cinematic and authentic to the story. At What Cost? stands out for its strong visual storytelling, gripping performance, and thematic resonance.
In my thesis I explore 12 Angry Men, directed by Sidney Lumet, as a compelling study of group dynamics, human psychology, and moral responsibility within the American judicial system. Set entirely within the confines of a jury room, the film follows twelve jurors deliberating over a first-degree murder case, where a unanimous verdict will determine the fate of a young defendant. My focus is on how each juror represents a psychological archetype, drawing from the work of Carol S. Pearson, who expanded Carl Jung’s theory of archetypes. I examine how these distinct archetypes interact, clash, and evolve throughout the film, shaping the dramatic conflict and narrative progression. Each character functions not just as a believable individual but also as a representation of a deeper human instinct. These archetypes are placed in deliberate opposition, reflecting Claude Lévi-Strauss’s theory of binary oppositions. I explore how the conflict between these polarised traits builds the central tension of the film and serves to illustrate broader themes of justice, bias, and the importance of doubt. I also analyse how cinematic techniques reinforce this psychological and thematic structure, with Lumet’s direction strategically employing cinematography, lighting, blocking, and dialogue to visually echo the film’s emotional arc.
Thomas Wallace is a Dublin-based director and producer, and a graduate of the National Film School at IADT, where he majored in Producing and minored in Editing. With a strong foundation in narrative storytelling, he has written, directed, edited, and produced a wide range of projects spanning social-realist drama, comedy, documentary, and music video. His films are characterised by a distinctive visual style, memorable performances, and an emphasis on character-led storytelling. Thomas has collaborated with industry professionals and emerging talent, developing a portfolio that reflects creative ambition and sharp production skills. He brings a commitment to high production value, collaboration and a clear vision to every project.
