A documentary produced by Miranda Films about South Shields born artist Alf O’Brien. Interviewed by Alfred Corlett at his home Alf talks about his early developments as an artist as well as his inspirations and influences. Alf is filmed walking the streets of South Shields as well as the beach near his beloved Marsdon Rock. Credit: Miranda Films presents Title: A Film about Alf O’Brien. Interviewed by Alfred Corlett The film begins with views of terraced streets in South Shields. Standing...

A documentary produced by Miranda Films about South Shields born artist Alf O’Brien. Interviewed by Alfred Corlett at his home Alf talks about his early developments as an artist as well as his inspirations and influences. Alf is filmed walking the streets of South Shields as well as the beach near his beloved Marsdon Rock. Credit: Miranda Films presents Title: A Film about Alf O’Brien. Interviewed by Alfred Corlett The film begins with views of terraced streets in South Shields. Standing in a back alley local artist Alf O’Brien looks up at the roofs of one of the terraced houses. These scenes are intercut with views of some of his works showing terraced streets.   Inside one of his studios in an upstairs room, Alf O’Brien sits at an easel and discusses his early influences with Alfred Corlett. Alf use to be a painter and decorator, which he believes heled him become a better artist. All around the room examples of his work hang on the walls. The two men come downs the stairs of his house past more examples of his works and go into the basement. This space is also a studio with dozens of his paintings laid against the walls. Alf has used this space as a studio for more than twenty years. Alfred points out a portrait of a woman’s face that has been done in the Pre-Raphaelite style. Alf has painted in many different artistic styles using different paints and canvases. Alf walks onto the beach at South Shields with the Souter Lighthouse on the background and looks out to sea. Waves crash onto a rocky beach near to Marsden Rock. Marsden Rock is one of Alf’s favourite places as he likes the changes in light and the complexities of shape. Back in the upstairs studio Alf and Alfred look over a number of watercolour paintings done around twenty-five years previously. Alfred points out a number of other paintings around the room including a nude that Alf says he drew from memory. General views of Alf walking the terraced streets of South Shields intercut with views of his art showing similar scenes His paintings are not real; rather he re-creates the scenes from memory. Back in the studio Alfred points at a painting showing a young couple sitting in a public house enjoying a drink. Alf says he painted it for the ‘mood’. Another picture showing a fish and chip shop, he likes it because of the light. The final painting discussed is a self-portrait which shows Alf looking at himself in a piece of broken glass. Alf looking through a set of metal railings down onto the River Tyne. The scene is intercut with views of his self-portrait. The film ends with Alf walking past the back alley of a row of terraced houses. End credit: Still Photography Photo-Mayo. Location Sound Allan Tarn. Assistant Editor Jo Nott. Sound Mixing Peter Rann End credit: Cameraman Gren Dobson End credit: Editor Jane Wood End credit: Director Peter Ferres End credit: Produced by Miranda Films Ltd Newcastle upon Tyne