|
| Declan Lowney | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 Wexford, Republic of Ireland |
| Occupation | Film and television director |
| Years active | 1980–present |
Declan Lowney (b. 1960) is an Irish television and film director.
Lowney began his career in 1980 with Wavelength, a 17-minute short subject that he directed and produced. Throughout the 1980s, he worked for Irish national broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann. He became known for directing musical concerts, including the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest,[1] for which he won a Jacob's Award.[2] Into the 1990s, he directed the Bob Marley biopic Time Will Tell (1991) and The Velvet Underground's 1993 tour Live MCMXCIII.[1]
After directing some Penn and Teller shows and the Jo Brand series Through the Cake Hole, Lowney met with writers Arthur Matthews and Graham Linehan about directing a new sitcom they had written called Paris. He did not get the job, but Matthews and Linehan remembered him when they were putting together a production team for their next sitcom, Father Ted.[3] Lowney took input from Linehan and Matthews on set, and the three often refined the scripts during filming. One of Lowney's favourite episodes is "Song for Europe", which mocks the Irish tendency to win the Eurovision Song Contest, and features an unusual music video.[3] For his work on two series and a Christmas special, Lowney was the co-recipient of the 1995 BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy (Programme or Series).[4] After filming an episode, Lowney was met backstage by Christine Langan, a Granada Television producer who wanted him to direct Cold Feet, an ITV Comedy Premiere. Lowney agreed and Cold Feet was filmed in 1996, though not broadcast until 1997.[5] It was a success, winning the Golden Rose of Montreux and a British Comedy Award. Langan asked Lowney if he would like to return to direct the first two episodes of the recently-commissioned series. He declined the invitation because the production schedules clashed with his first feature film, Mattie.[6] Written by Hugh Leonard, Mattie was to star Terence Stamp and Mia Farrow. Funding for the film fell through the week before principal photography was due to begin.[7] Lowney was offered the first episodes of Cold Feet again and this time accepted. The episodes were broadcast in 1998.[6]
After the failure of Mattie, Lowney finally got the chance to direct a debut feature with Wild About Harry (2000). The following year, he directed the first series of Paul Whitehouse's Happiness, which was nominated for a BAFTA.[8] He returned for the second series in 2003. In 2005, he directed Whitehouse's Help, and the third series of Little Britain. Help won Lowney his second BAFTA and Little Britain secured him another nomination.[9]
Since 2007, Lowney has been developing a biographical film about Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards, with Steve Coogan in the title role.[10] In 2008, he directed a major television advertising campaign for Reveal magazine.[11]
