1. When did you think about a career in film and what were your first steps into it?
To misquote the opening of Goodfellas, "as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be an actor". I was introduced to the late, great Roma Tomelty when I was at St Mary's Grammar school. I would spend my teenage years under Roma's tutelage and from there, went on to drama school in London. After more than 20 years of stage and film roles in front of the camera, I now find myself having the privilege of being behind the camera for my directorial debut feature The Quarry at the Belfast Film Festival, which runs from November 3-12.
2. Best gigs you've been to?
Afro-Celt Sound System at Féile an Phobail way back in the day, in a marquee outside Kelly's Cellars. Oasis at Slane in 2009 and Garth Brooks in Croker last month – yee haw.
3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?
The Saw Doctors – so I'll not be getting hitched any time soon.
4. The record you'd take to a desert island?
If This Is Rock and Roll, I Want My Old Job Back by The Saw Doctors. It was the first album I bought back in 1991 and it brings back so many great memories from my teenage years.
5. And the book you'd take to a desert island?
William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade as it might give me the inspiration I need to finish my next screenplay.
6. Top three films?
Singin' in the Rain, Godfather 2 and Stand By Me. It's the one film I've watched more times than any other. It has everything - thriller, comedy, coming of age and a great soundtrack.
7. Worst film you've seen?
American rom-coms set in Ireland like Far and Away and Leap Year. The exception is The Quiet Man.
8. Favourite authors?
I used to love the madness of Brendan Behan and Flann O'Brien's writing, but I find that all I read now are either scripts or books on acting or film-making - David Mamet being my muse.
9. Sports you most enjoy and top teams?
Soccer and GAA. I'm an avid Celtic supporter for my sins, and my GAA team is Laochra Loch Lao. Our ladies team won our first ever cup this month, even though the club is only four years old.
10. Ideal holiday destination?
Cuba or the Seychelles, but hard to whack Gaoth Dobhair in west Donegal.
11. Pet hates?
People not closing doors behind them. I hope my kids are reading this.
12. What's your favourite:
Dinner? Fajitas.
Dessert? Banoffee.
Drink? Bathtub Gin and Ginger Ale.
13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?
My twin daughters of course.
14. Is there a God?
Is there not?
:: Tony Devlin's debut feature film The Quarry is having its premiere at Cineworld, Belfast on November 9 as part of the Belfast Film Festival, which runs from November 3-12. The movie is set in Spring 2020 when five students and two faculty members from the Mid Ulster College of Art go missing in a forest on the north coast of Ireland. Tickets and full festival programme at Belfastfilmfestival.org.
