Steamin' and Dreamin': The Grandmaster Cash Story
Encyclopedia
Steamin' + Dreamin': The Grandmaster Cash Story is a 2009
Irish
independent
comedy
film directed by Shaun O' Connor, and written by Con Doyle, Joe Kiely, Conor Stanley and O' Connor. The mockumentary
stars Doyle as the title character, a Cork
hip-hop artist struggling to achieve recognition in the international hip-hop scene. It also stars Stanley as Cash's rival rapper Dr Feekinstein, and Kiely as Seamus Kelly, the sociology
student who directs the film's "documentary". The film also features cameo appearance
s from Tommy Tiernan
and Senator
Dan Boyle
, as well as many well-known Corkonians appearing as themselves.
A sequel, Steamin' + Dreamin' 2: Cash Back
was released in November 2011.
, eventually coming to focus on the Cork
hip-hop scene and local artist Grandmaster Cash in particular. The documentary follows Cash as he struggles to achieve fame and fortune, amidst the trouble of negative critical reception and dealing with the rival hip-hop crew, led by Dr Feekinstein.
, it was decided to make a feature-length film.
The film was produced entirely by Doyle, Kiely, O' Connor and Stanley, and was shot in and around Cork City. Famous Cork landmarks such as Blarney Castle
, The Elysian
, UCC's Glucksman Gallery
, the Cork Docks and Shandon Tower
are featured in the film, in both background shots and as filming locations.
During production, Grandmaster Cash's music was launched on MySpace
as a means of promoting the film, as well as introducing the character to its target audience. The music achieved a high level of popularity. A music video for "Grandmaster in the Future" was released on YouTube. Short film review videos were also released, entitled "Film Tonight with Grandmaster Cash", which attracted high views. Two music videos (for the songs "It's Alive" and "Ice-Cream") were released by Dr Feekinstein in this time, in order to establish the fictional rivalry between the two artists to the online community.
The film reviews, music videos, and the film's trailer were recommended by local DJs and radio presenters Stevie G, Lenny and Dave Mac, who listed the film as a highlight of the upcoming Cork Film Festival
alongside premium attractions such as The Boys Are Back
, Taking Woodstock
, Up in the Air
and the Coen Brothers'
A Serious Man
. In addition to this, Doyle was invited to be interviewed in character as Grandmaster Cash on the popular Cork radio station Red FM
with Stevie G on May 9, 2009, and on Cork Campus Radio on October 21, 2009. Doyle and Stanley appeared on TG4
's Irish language
talent show
Glas Vegas
on 24 January 2010 as contestants, where judge and "mentor" Paraic Breathnach
praised the song they performed together as "unique and funny". Despite a positive audience reaction, the duo were voted off in the first round.
Due to the mockumentary
style of the promotional videos, Grandmaster Cash and Dr Feekenstein were mistaken by some for genuine hip-hop artists.
The film's characters have developed a life of their own, with Doyle and Stanley continuing to perform concerts, regularly featured as the Cork Independents "comedy of the week". The duo has appeared numerous times alongside fellow comedy hip-hop act The Rubberbandits
as well as Hardy Bucks
. Cash and Feekenstein were featured in a Hot Press
article on May 6, 2010.
2009. It was officially announced as part of the festival program on October 16. It was shown on November 6 in Cork's oldest cinema, The Pavilion. Doyle and Stanley appeared as Grandmaster Cash and Dr Feekinstein respectively after the film's showing to celebrate its release, performing a selection of songs from the film's soundtrack.
Tickets for the film's premiere were sold out within days of going on sale. Due to ongoing demand a second screening was announced for the following day, marking it as the only film to be given two screenings at the festival. This screening was also quickly sold out.
Additionally, the film has received a number of screenings after its original release, in venues such as the National Sculpture Factory.
, in a piece highlighting the 2009 Cork Film Festival
's attractions, referred to the film as "destined to be one of the hits of the festival". In a later article about the festival in the Evening Echo, the film was given mention alongside titles such as A Serious Man
and The Road, as a "moving hip-hop film set to steal the show". Another article in the same publication identified the film as "set to be the funniest film at this year's festival". An article about the film in Kerry
newspaper The Kerryman on November 4 detailed aspects of its origins and mentioned its achievement in ticket sales. The film was the subject of the regular "Who the hell goes to..." segment in the Evening Echo on November 12. The full page article featured public reactions to the film as well as a positive review.
entertainment review show Imeall. In the March 10 edition of Irish national music magazine Hot Press
, the film was featured. The review from deputy editor Stuart Clark praised the film as "a glorious spoof" and "a spot-on parody with zero budget".
2009 in film
The year 2009 saw the release of many films. Seven made the top 50 list of highest-grossing films, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that as of this year, their Best Picture category would consist of ten nominees, rather than five .- Highest-grossing films :Please note...
Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
independent
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
film directed by Shaun O' Connor, and written by Con Doyle, Joe Kiely, Conor Stanley and O' Connor. The mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
stars Doyle as the title character, a Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
hip-hop artist struggling to achieve recognition in the international hip-hop scene. It also stars Stanley as Cash's rival rapper Dr Feekinstein, and Kiely as Seamus Kelly, the sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
student who directs the film's "documentary". The film also features cameo appearance
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
s from Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan is an Irish comedian, actor and writer. He and Hector Ó hEochagáin present The Tommy and Hector Show on i102-104FM. Tiernan also featured in Father Ted.-Early life:...
and Senator
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
Dan Boyle
Dan Boyle (politician)
Dan Boyle is an Irish Green Party politician and party chairperson. He was a Teachta Dála for Cork South Central from 2002–07 and was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007–11.-Early life and education:...
, as well as many well-known Corkonians appearing as themselves.
A sequel, Steamin' + Dreamin' 2: Cash Back
Steamin' + Dreamin' 2: Cash Back
Steamin' + Dreamin' 2: Cash Back is a 2011 Irish independent comedy film, and the sequel to 2009's Steamin' + Dreamin': The Grandmaster Cash Story. The film was directed by Brendan Canty, who co-wrote the screenplay with Con Doyle, Conor Stanley, and Joe Kiely. Doyle, Stanley and Kiely reprise...
was released in November 2011.
Synopsis
Seamus Kelly is a sociology student from Cork who, as part of his final year in college, directs a documentary on subcultures in suburbiaSubUrbia
subUrbia is a play by Eric Bogosian chronicling the nighttime activities of a group of aimless 20-somethings still living in their suburban Boston hometown and their reunion with a former high school classmate who has become a successful musician...
, eventually coming to focus on the Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
hip-hop scene and local artist Grandmaster Cash in particular. The documentary follows Cash as he struggles to achieve fame and fortune, amidst the trouble of negative critical reception and dealing with the rival hip-hop crew, led by Dr Feekinstein.
Cast
- Con Doyle as Grandmaster Cash
- Conor Stanley as Dr Feekinstein
- Joe Kiely as Seamus Kelly
- Tommy TiernanTommy TiernanTommy Tiernan is an Irish comedian, actor and writer. He and Hector Ó hEochagáin present The Tommy and Hector Show on i102-104FM. Tiernan also featured in Father Ted.-Early life:...
as himself - SenatorSeanad ÉireannSeanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
Dan BoyleDan Boyle (politician)Dan Boyle is an Irish Green Party politician and party chairperson. He was a Teachta Dála for Cork South Central from 2002–07 and was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007–11.-Early life and education:...
as himself - Pat Fitz as himself
- Paul Mulvaney as himself
- Gary Mahoney as himself
- Ian Richards as himself
- Ernest Cantillon as himself
- Albert Twomey as himself
- Ronan Doyle as R-Bomb
Production
The original idea for the film came from Doyle and Stanley's habit of adopting a stereotypical Cork accent for comic effect. They came together with O' Connor and Kiely to develop a short film which would use this to parody the various amusing aspects of Cork culture. Eventually, the production grew in size and, in response to the cult following amassed by Cash's music videos posted on YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, it was decided to make a feature-length film.
The film was produced entirely by Doyle, Kiely, O' Connor and Stanley, and was shot in and around Cork City. Famous Cork landmarks such as Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland, and the River Martin. Though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446...
, The Elysian
The Elysian
The Elysian is a mixed-use celtic tiger-era building at Eglinton Street in Cork City, Ireland. Construction of the building was completed in early September 2008....
, UCC's Glucksman Gallery
Lewis Glucksman Gallery
The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is an award-winning art gallery in University College, Cork, Ireland.Opened to the public by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese on 14 October 2004, the Glucksman gallery was named Best Public Building in Ireland by the RIAI in June 2005...
, the Cork Docks and Shandon Tower
Church of St Anne (Shandon)
The Church of St Anne is a Church of Ireland church located in the Shandon district of Cork city in Ireland. It is situated a top a hill overlooking the River Lee.- History :...
are featured in the film, in both background shots and as filming locations.
During production, Grandmaster Cash's music was launched on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
as a means of promoting the film, as well as introducing the character to its target audience. The music achieved a high level of popularity. A music video for "Grandmaster in the Future" was released on YouTube. Short film review videos were also released, entitled "Film Tonight with Grandmaster Cash", which attracted high views. Two music videos (for the songs "It's Alive" and "Ice-Cream") were released by Dr Feekinstein in this time, in order to establish the fictional rivalry between the two artists to the online community.
The film reviews, music videos, and the film's trailer were recommended by local DJs and radio presenters Stevie G, Lenny and Dave Mac, who listed the film as a highlight of the upcoming Cork Film Festival
Cork Film Festival
The Cork Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Cork City, Ireland. It was established in 1956 and has grown to be an internationally recognised festival, particularly in the area of short films....
alongside premium attractions such as The Boys Are Back
The Boys Are Back (film)
The Boys Are Back is a 2009 Australian/British drama film directed by Scott Hicks, produced by Greg Brenman and starring Clive Owen. Based on the book The Boys Are Back In Town by Simon Carr, the film features a score composed by Hal Lindes and a soundtrack by Sigur Rós.-Plot:Joe Warr is a British...
, Taking Woodstock
Taking Woodstock
Taking Woodstock is a 2009 American comedy-drama film about the Woodstock Festival of 1969, directed by Ang Lee. The screenplay by James Schamus is based on the memoir Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert, and a Life by Elliot Tiber and Tom Monte.The film premiered at the 2009 Cannes...
, Up in the Air
Up in the Air
Up in the Air is a 2001 novel by American author Walter Kirn. It was later adapted into the 2009 feature film Up in the Air, starring George Clooney.-Plot summary:...
and the Coen Brothers'
Coen Brothers
Joel David Coen and Ethan Jesse Coen known together professionally as the Coen brothers, are American filmmakers...
A Serious Man
A Serious Man
A Serious Man is a 2009 dark comedy written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Michael Stuhlbarg as a Minnesota Jewish man whose life crumbles both professionally and personally, leading to questions about his faith...
. In addition to this, Doyle was invited to be interviewed in character as Grandmaster Cash on the popular Cork radio station Red FM
Red FM (Ireland)
Cork's RedFM is an Irish radio station which broadcasts to Cork and the surrounding area, and is aimed at a youth audience.Cork's RedFM commenced broadcasting at 08:00 on 16 January 2002. The station was awarded Ireland’s first youth radio licence...
with Stevie G on May 9, 2009, and on Cork Campus Radio on October 21, 2009. Doyle and Stanley appeared on TG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
's Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
talent show
Talent show
A talent show is an event where participants perform their talent or talents of acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, and other activities to showcase a unique form of talent, sometimes for a reward, trophy or prize...
Glas Vegas
Glas Vegas
Glas Vegas is an Irish language talent show. The series is produced by TG4. It is broadcast on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The series has a panel of judges to assess the quality of each act, the judges are Senator Eoghan Harris, Tom Ó Brannagáin and Molly Bhreathnach.The first series was a solely...
on 24 January 2010 as contestants, where judge and "mentor" Paraic Breathnach
Páraic Breathnach
Páraic Breathnach is an Irish actor and television personality. He has appeared in several major Irish films throughout the years, including Michael Collins and Breakfast on Pluto. He is also well known for playing the character of Jacksie Walsh on Killinaskully, as well as being a frequent...
praised the song they performed together as "unique and funny". Despite a positive audience reaction, the duo were voted off in the first round.
Due to the mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
style of the promotional videos, Grandmaster Cash and Dr Feekenstein were mistaken by some for genuine hip-hop artists.
The film's characters have developed a life of their own, with Doyle and Stanley continuing to perform concerts, regularly featured as the Cork Independents "comedy of the week". The duo has appeared numerous times alongside fellow comedy hip-hop act The Rubberbandits
The Rubberbandits
The Rubberbandits are the award-winning comedy hip-hop duo of Blindboy Boat Club and Mr. Chrome from Limerick, Ireland. Primarily a satirical stage and television act, they have performed throughout Ireland, the UK and USA with shows at events such as Electric Picnic Oxegen and the Bulmers...
as well as Hardy Bucks
Hardy Bucks
Hardy Bucks is an Irish mockumentary TV show written by Martin Maloney, Chris Tordoff and Mike Cockayne. The Hardy Bucks started out with a series of largely improvised online webisodes directed and edited by Tordoff who had studied Media Production. A six-part webisode series went on to win the...
. Cash and Feekenstein were featured in a Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
article on May 6, 2010.
Release
The film was submitted for consideration in the Cork Film FestivalCork Film Festival
The Cork Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Cork City, Ireland. It was established in 1956 and has grown to be an internationally recognised festival, particularly in the area of short films....
2009. It was officially announced as part of the festival program on October 16. It was shown on November 6 in Cork's oldest cinema, The Pavilion. Doyle and Stanley appeared as Grandmaster Cash and Dr Feekinstein respectively after the film's showing to celebrate its release, performing a selection of songs from the film's soundtrack.
Tickets for the film's premiere were sold out within days of going on sale. Due to ongoing demand a second screening was announced for the following day, marking it as the only film to be given two screenings at the festival. This screening was also quickly sold out.
Additionally, the film has received a number of screenings after its original release, in venues such as the National Sculpture Factory.
Reception
Both sold-out screenings received standing ovations. The film was featured as the cover of Cork entertainment magazine Play. The Evening EchoEvening Echo
The Evening Echo is an Irish evening newspaper based in Cork. It is distributed throughout the province of Munster, although it is primarily read in its base city of Cork. In Limerick, an altered local edition of the paper is sold...
, in a piece highlighting the 2009 Cork Film Festival
Cork Film Festival
The Cork Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Cork City, Ireland. It was established in 1956 and has grown to be an internationally recognised festival, particularly in the area of short films....
's attractions, referred to the film as "destined to be one of the hits of the festival". In a later article about the festival in the Evening Echo, the film was given mention alongside titles such as A Serious Man
A Serious Man
A Serious Man is a 2009 dark comedy written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Michael Stuhlbarg as a Minnesota Jewish man whose life crumbles both professionally and personally, leading to questions about his faith...
and The Road, as a "moving hip-hop film set to steal the show". Another article in the same publication identified the film as "set to be the funniest film at this year's festival". An article about the film in Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
newspaper The Kerryman on November 4 detailed aspects of its origins and mentioned its achievement in ticket sales. The film was the subject of the regular "Who the hell goes to..." segment in the Evening Echo on November 12. The full page article featured public reactions to the film as well as a positive review.
"...the film chronicling this LeesideThe Cork News newspaper also released an article about the film on November 13, considering it "...a Cork Spinal Tap" and complimenting "the talented Mr. Con Doyle". The article also features an in-character note on the film's production, written by Doyle. On November 31, the film received coverage on the TG4River Lee (Ireland)The Lee is a river in Ireland. It rises in the Shehy Mountains on the western border of County Cork and flows eastwards through Cork City, where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's city centre is built, and empties into the Celtic Sea at Cork Harbour on the...
Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
pairing is as authentic as Spinal TapThis Is Spinal TapThis Is Spinal Tap is an American 1984 rock musical mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap...
, and pretty funny with it too... After a rapturous reception the stars of the show took to the stage to deliver what will surely be instant cult classic songs and make us wonder if Grandmaster Cash is the new Ali GAli GAli G is a satirical fictional character invented and performed by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Originally appearing on Channel 4's Eleven O'Clock show, Ali G is the title character of Channel 4's Da Ali G Show, original episodes of which aired in 2000 and on HBO in 2003–2004, and is the...
."
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
entertainment review show Imeall. In the March 10 edition of Irish national music magazine Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
, the film was featured. The review from deputy editor Stuart Clark praised the film as "a glorious spoof" and "a spot-on parody with zero budget".
DVD release
A DVD release of the film was announced on November 9, 2009. The launch party, which took place in The Pavilion, was announced one week later for December 16. It featured a screening of the film and a performance by Grandmaster Cash and Dr Feekinstein. The DVD has sold well in venues around Cork City. It features two commentaries, an extended interview with Tommy Tiernan, music videos, songs, and the Film Tonight reviews.Soundtrack
All songs composed and produced by Con Doyle, Conor Stanley, and Shaun O' Connor; performed by Doyle and Stanley.External links
- Official Website
- Steamin' + Dreamin': The Grandmaster Cash Story at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Official Trailer
- Grandmaster Cash on Myspace
- Grandmaster Cash on YouTube
- Official Corona Cork Film Festival page
- The Pavillion Official Site
- Interview with Cork Campus Radio