It’s good to be ambitious. I find myself saying that on more and more projects. We’re there to make the best work we can, and when you push creativity to its limits, it’s hard to fit it all in. Tighter budgets lead to more shots per day, making for demanding shoots. It can get difficult, but I love the challenge, and at the end of it all, that’s why they go to me. I get it done. One of these ambitious jobs was a two-day shoot in which we were delivering six videos for Jade f

It was the third day of a four-day short film starring the brilliantly talented Joseph Quinn, playing a struggling painter with a dark past. The strength of the HODs surrounding this project was immense, and we’d had a tough but successful series of days. We were in a house just off Brick Lane, and as the shoot went on, the bedroom we were in became smaller and smaller. We had just finished all our day content and were changing for a night scene: the climactic moment of the f

Well, it’s certainly been an interesting year. In January, I found out my wife, Alice, was expecting, and we were, after a rather difficult journey, going to have a baby. A little Mini Mulvihill. The first trimester was filled with anxiety, but we pushed through it together. Sharing the news was a highlight; the love and support we received was truly delightful. Work-wise, I had some challenging projects, but overall, I wished I could have been busier. It was helpful being ar

I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry. Growing up, I was obsessed with DVDs and would watch all of the commentaries of my favourite films, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with people who worked on the project, discussing their intention behind it. I pursued film production at college, then went on to study it at the University of Portsmouth. I had a great time at uni, fucking around with cameras and hanging out with mates with a similar int

The beauty of filmmaking to me lies not with the end product you produce but instead participating in the act of making said product alongside a group of individuals with a diverse skillset and one goal in mind - making something worth making. No other art form requires as many minds coming together with their own history and experience to produce the art. The director leads the creative charge but the DOP, art director, stylist, HMU designer, editor, performers, etc all prov

I got in trouble once with a DOP whom I absolutely adore. We're chasing time, as you often are, and when you're in that situation, every...

I have to admit this year I’ve felt the effects of how quiet the television and film industry has been and the domino effect it has had...

I had a really lovely summer and with it a particularly busy period of work. There was a fulfilling series of shoots including ones with...

“We are so close” I yell. Give it 30 seconds, I yell it again. “We are so close guys nearly there.” I circle around the space and check...

2023 has been an extremely tough year for the industry and I feel so much sympathy for those most affected by it. I recently worked with...

Sometimes you're on a hot streak of fashion based projects and spend too long in expensive studios with delicious catering. All good...

This November I had an excellent month. I worked on exciting projects and am feeling the growth in my abilities as a 1st AD. I always...

As an AD time is always on your mind. I often find my shoot days are particularly long because I am timing every action by the minute....

So I’m fortunate to have hit 50 1st AD credits within what I perceive to be a short period of time and I am very thankful to all that...

In December 2020 I found myself heading to Dorset to 1st a spec commercial for Kodak with some of the most exciting young filmmakers I...

On Wednesday 8th September 2021 I had the opportunity to be the 1st AD on my first commercial. Despite having a fractured ankle, Unit9 and I helped the agency secure 22 promos in not quite a 14 hour day (we finished early!). We worked like a well oil machine and delivered engaging content for a large food delivery company. The day before, I shot our third Samm Henshaw music video for Jim Pilling at Vidset. With Rik Burnell’s eye we captured a funky narrative that plays homage

In September 2016, I successfully joined Callbox Diary Service and ran on my first ever APA commercial. I've been working as a runner in...

Hello! My name is Joe Mulvihill and I have been working as a runner, 3rd AD and 2nd AD on Commercials for 5 years. In that time I have...