On My Radar: D.A.D.D.Y.
Mike Ahern [right] and Enda Loughman [left] are directing duo D.A.D.D.Y. Here, the self-described ‘two youngish
Irishmen with big noses' relay what's on their creative radar, including a film regarded as "one of the worst ever made".
What the funniest advertising idea you’ve seen recently?
We skip ads, that’s the best fun.
What website(s) do you use most regularly and why?
Google, it’s just great for looking stuff up or if you are wondering about something it will often have the answer.
What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought and why?
Bought a new iPad and Apple pencil thing to use, that and Pro-Create to draw weird shit and storyboard badly.
What product could you not live without?
Enda: My wife.
Mike: Muller Crunch Corner (vanilla and choc balls. No! Never banana choc flakes, you creep)
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What’s the best comedy film you’ve seen over the last year?
Our film Extra Ordinary by Mike Ahern & Enda Loughman, which is coming out later in the year. We have watched it about 100 times…
Oh, a film not by us! The Heartbreak Kid by Elaine May from 1972. (Not the Farrelly Brothers one!) Had never seen this gem till lately and the performances are just so funny. Charles Grodin [below left] is always amazing, and his new bride, played by Jeannie Berlin [below right], is incredible and beautifully annoying.
What comedy do you think everyone should have seen and why?
It’s not purposefully made as a comedy but we recommend people check out Fatal Deviation from 1998. It enjoys the distinction of being Ireland's first full-length martial arts film. It was made on a shoe-string by a guy called Jimmy Bennet, Ireland’s answer to Jean-Claude Van Damme. The bad guy is called Seagull. Think The Room, in Ireland with Kung Fu. Irish Independent wrote that it is "regarded as one of the worst films ever made”, but it’s got great characters, hilarious moments, and even an exciting car crash that was an accident that they left in the film. The whole thing is on YouTube.
What’s your preferred social media platform and why?
Instagram; it’s easy-peasy, not much talking necessary, good for gags, easy to ignore people, we are at @daddy_directors
What’s your favourite TV comedy show and why?
Vic Reeves' Big Night Out, it came at the perfect time of life and formed the type of ‘stupidity' we still love and nurture.
What’s your favourite podcast?
Adam Buxton; I get sad when he goes on break.
What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?
Loved finally seeing The Clock, by Christian Marclay, in the Tate recently. Went twice at different times for a few hours. It was surprisingly funny around 8pm.
What’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed in the industry since you started working in it?
The move from VHS to Laserdisc. We can see hairs now where we didn’t know there were hairs.
If there was one thing you could change about the advertising industry, what would it be?
They should make less ads.
Who or what has most influenced your career and why?
A mysterious arty death metal/punk band called Warlords of Pez, they were sonic terrorists from another planet and were incredible, visually and sonically. Use that website we suggested earlier ‘google’ to check out their hits: Old Women With Broadband, Padre Pio or Monster Voice.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To ask us in his little chicken voice ‘What time does Boris Becker have his breakfast?’ And when we didn’t know, to tell us the answer is ‘Ten-ish’.
