Stars of Prosper Meath prepare to debut new short film
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Pictured at LMETB’s FET Campus, Railway St, Navan (l-r): Martin O’ Brien (CE of LMETB), Martina Noonan, (Trim Garda Station), Emma Brady, Shane Carolan (Prosper Meath), Aisling Sheridan (LMETB) and Barry Sheridan (CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland) and (inset) Shay Casserly and the crew and cast members on set!Image 2 of 8
Wesley Smith and Emma Brady with Olivia Duff, Headfort Arms HotelImage 3 of 8
LMETB Community Education course facilitator Shay Casserly with crew members Wesley Smith, Lola Adewumi, Rebecca Baugh, Margaret Tevlin, Emma Brady and Jason O RourkeImage 4 of 8
Crew members Wesley Smith and Lola Adewumi.Image 5 of 8
Protagonist Dominaykas Dambrauskas from the film Underestimate Me- That’ll Be Fun!Image 6 of 8
Cast members Aiden Mc Cluskey & Shane Carolan.Image 7 of 8
Alan Ryan, Shane Carolan, Aiden McCluskey, Dominaykas Dambrauskas, Richie Hayes, Sinéad Johnson and Shay Casserley.Image 8 of 8
Protagonist Dominaykas Dambrauskas from the film Underestimate Me?- That’ll Be Fun!There was great excitement among the learners of Prosper Meath Kells, with the recent launch of their short film, ‘Underestimate Me? – That’ll Be Fun!' in co-operation with the Community Education programme of Louth and Meath Education Training Board.
Devised, filmed, edited and produced entirely by the learners, this thought-provoking video charts the progress of learner and actor Dominaykas Dambrauskas, as he navigates the interview process and the world of work.
Under the expert tutelage of LMETB tutor, Shay Casserley, this video challenges the notions that can exist around opportunities for employment and highlights how perseverance, dedication, commitment and, most importantly, an open mind can lead to a better brighter future for all.
‘Producing this video was an extremely up-lifting experience’, according to Shay. "Not only did I get the chance to work with incredibly inspirational learners, both in front of and behind the camera, I also got to experience the generosity of the many organisations who provided facilities and staff to set the scene, including Meath Enterprise, Meath County Council, An Garda Síochána, the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells and the Bank of Ireland. This video is a testament to all who took part and the result has captured the imagination of all.
“Produced pre-Covid, the learners at the Prosper Centre in Kells, not only got the chance to learn how to use state-of-the-art recording equipment, but they also got the chance to develop the confidence and team-building skills that come with being involved in a project like this”, according to Shane Carolan, Service Manager in Prosper’s Kells services.
“This was a fantastic learning experience for all our service users, and Prosper Meath are grateful for the tuition and support across the broad range of educational programmes, provided by Louth and Meath ETB, particularly in terms of the Community Education Programme.”
Martin O’Brien, CE of LMETB also attended the launch and reiterated that “Although this initiative was filmed prior to Covid-19, Louth and Meath ETB have managed to continue to deliver their Community Education Programme through remote learning, making sure that the large number of community groups and organisations can continue to avail of education and training, especially during these potentially isolating times.
“With programmes such as our ‘Stay Connected’ programme, it’s never too late to become involved, and with our oldest learner recently divulging their age of 92 years, it’s certainly never too late to learn!”
With the video being launched to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March, Barry Sheridan CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland was also in attendance and was keen to endorse the importance of employment as a viable, realistic and equitable opportunity for all.
A 'matinée' virtual launch of the short film “Underestimate me?- That’ll Be Fun!” will take place at 1pm on Friday 19th March on Facebook live. It can be accessed by logging on to the LMETB Further Education and Training Facebook page and will also be available to view on the page after the event.