A Talk with Pennsylvania Independent Film Producer, Neil Brady: an Occasional Fish

Dallas, Pa. resident Neil Brady was only supposed to provide some helpful feedback for his screenwriter friend, Earl Nulton. But after reading the script for An Occasional Fish, Brady was hooked on the story of life-long friendship... and fly-fishing.

Brady called Earl and simply said, "Let's do it." While Brady has a corporate video company, neither man had experience making a feature-length movie. Two years later, the movie poetically debuted on the opening day of trout season at the Endless Mountains Theater.

The Westsider had a chance to speak with Brady about this movie, his inspirations and his plans for the future.

Brady says that he and Nulton never thought they'd market or even show the movie, rather something fun to shoot. But, some things are worth sharing; the April premier of An Occasional Fish received a warm response from movie-goers.

"It was a nice event. We had about 80 people show up... it was a pretty good response," said Brady. "(Some people) said it was the best things they've seen in the area for an amateur project."

Many areas of Northeast Pennsylvania served as a backdrop for An Occasional Fish. Brady says that the streams were mailing shot in the Tunkhannock area, while the interior shots were at the homes and businesses of friends.

"(The movie) shows that some of the natural beauty in Pennsylvania, but it also shows that those who've always wanted to (shoot a movie) but didn't think they could that it can be done on a low budget and a few friends. It is achievable," he said.

Brady says it wasn't until 2002 that he even picked up a camera. His church needed a fill-in videographer. After doing that, many people approached Brady, telling him he should do video for a living.

"So I said, 'I'll never know until I try.' I'm still in business," he said.

Brady's company NHB Productions produces corporate sales and training videos, web and television commercials, documentaries and more. On the movie's official website, Brady proclaims his life-long passion of film.

"Movies have always played a central role in my life. They were my baby sitters, friends, mentors, counselors and refuge. I knew who they were and how they would treat me. So I watched, learned, laughed and cried my way into a love for the American film," he said.

Now, Brady joins the growing trend of independent filmmakers, perhaps providing some of those same feelings movies provided him as a child....