Film

When Kurt sat down to practice four years ago, a new melody started to unfold on his keyboards. The tune had the feel of a bygone era, a time of glamour and innocence. The melody felt like it was leisurely, yet purposefully, moving towards some destination. That’s when Kurt remembered walking down the length of Brighton Pier, breathing in its salty air, looking out over the turquoise sea, and watching happy children wolf down candy floss, as their parents soaked in the atmosphere. Like a thunderbolt out of the blue, Kurt said aloud that he was going to name his new song, “Strolling Down Brighton Pier”!

With melody in hand, Kurt tackled the lyrics. He began to picture a gorgeous lady promenading down the pier at the same time every day. A successful young man sees her and is instantly captivated by her beauty. He longs to talk to her, but he is unable to muster the courage to approach her. When he finally does, he is devastated to learn that there’s someone else in the picture.

As he fleshed out the song, Kurt felt that the story and music had the potential to be made into a short music film. So, he commissioned the incomparable Tim Gorman to orchestrate the piece. Then Kurt arranged for Britain’s national orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to record the music. After that, Kurt collaborated with Brighton’s own Locate Productions, LTD to make the film. Shot mostly on location on Britain’s most beloved pier, “Strolling Down Brighton Pier” captures the elegance of a time long gone by and the perils of falling madly in love!

Kurt, once again, partnered with Armada (animation studio – Nashville, Tennessee) to bring this poignant love-story between a beautiful Celtic Princess and Ruairí Uí Néill, a lowly stablehand, to life. Armada’s creativity, artistry, and stunning animation will transport audiences back to a time when Irish Culture and Music flourished and the High Kings ruled from the mighty Rock of Cashel.

“The High King’s Daughter” – Coming Soon to a Film Festival Near You!  Check this website’s “CALENDAR” Section often for festivals and screening dates. See You at the Movies!

Once the composition was completed, Kurt decided to make a music video, based on the piece. Produced by Galway-based Morgan Brothers, orchestrated by Jake Morgan, and recorded by the world-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the film was shot entirely on Inishmore. "Call of Inishmore," with its soaring music and cinematic drone footage, truly captures the island in all of its autumnal splendor! 

The memory of that magical place has never left him. Years later, Kurt was composing an Irish-sounding song that had the feel of a sunrise. He remembered that beautiful valley he’d visited so long ago and named the new piece, "Dawn at Gougane Barra".

When Kurt decided that he wanted to make a film about Gougane Barra, he knew that there was only one person he wanted to orchestrate the piece – Jake Morgan! Jake is Ireland’s leading composer of film and theatre music. And as a huge added plus, Jake and his brother, Luke (a renowned poet and writer), own Morgan Brothers, a Galway-based film/theater production company. Jake arranged the score that was played by the Will Palmer Orchestra and recorded at Dublin’s world-famous Windmill Lane Studios. With the recording in hand, the Portland and Galway teams went to Gougane Barra for the shoot, where Luke artfully captured some stunningly jaw-dropping footage. When the filming was completed and synced up with the music, the beautiful film, "Dawn at Gougane Barra" took flight.

The room was magnificent with its heraldic ceiling, historic family portraits, priceless furnishings, and its glorious grand piano. As the brothers were heading into the next room, the guide asked a visitor if she played piano, and she said she did not, at which point Kurt’s brother proclaimed loudly, while pointing at Kurt, “He does!”   

So, Kurt was invited to play the piano in what was to become a spontaneous mini-concert. He played two of his own, Celtic-inspired, compositions. When Kurt finished, the guide and the other visitors all gave him a boisterous round of applause that rang throughout the castle. That wonderful experience of playing his own music in an historic Scottish castle became the inspiration for Highland Home’s melody. Later, when he added lyrics and was having the song professionally recorded, it sounded so good that he asked the musical arranger, the audio engineer, and the vocalist if they might want to make a music video. The answer was a resounding “Yes.”

Kurt, with the help of his Producers and Director, brought together a phenomenally-talented group of professionals to work on the Highland Home film. While researching where the team and crew might film, a ruggedly-scenic part of the Oregon Coast was discovered that looked very reminiscent of Scotland. The weather gods where with them, as they filmed. Upon completion, "Highland Home" was set to hit the international film festival circuit.  But, plans were thwarted as COVID made festivals move online. But, even with those challenges. "Highland Home," won 54 awards/mentions worldwide. 

Kurt is forever grateful to the cast, crew, and team that worked on, "Highland Home". That “wee” film propelled Kurt forward in his musical career, making all the collaborations and projects that have succeeded it possible.