Eric

As my end-of-year project at Pulse Recording College in 2010, students were tasked with writing a short film script. Mine—a tender, quirky story about a lonely man and his puppet, exploring themes of isolation, companionship, and unconventional love—was selected from the class to be produced.

Titled Eric, the film follows a puppeteer's heartfelt (and humorous) love story with his handmade creation, blending comedy, drama, and a touch of whimsy in a character-driven narrative. David Thompson delivered a standout performance as the central lonely figure, bringing warmth and vulnerability to the role.

The soundtrack featured evocative original music composed by longtime collaborator Colm O'Caoimh (piano/violin/keys from the Geppetto band era), alongside a personal composition from me—tying together the film's emotional layers with subtle, atmospheric sound design.

This student project punched above its weight: it went on to win a prize at the Canadian International Film Festival in the student film category, marking an early international recognition for my filmmaking. It also screened as part of my portfolio at various festivals and helped solidify my transition from early Geppetto visuals and music into more narrative-driven short films.