Interview by Paul Salfen
In the rolling green hills of North County Dublin, where the Irish Sea whispers against the cliffs, Gillen Castle stood as both a majestic backdrop and a character in its own right for the filming of Glitched, a family-friendly sci-fi adventure that’s as heartwarming as it is innovative. Directed by Zoe Quist and starring the luminous Abigail O’Regan, Glitched is a story of ambitious twins who transform their grandmother’s crumbling castle into a virtual reality playground, only to accidentally unleash an 18th-century ghost and a whirlwind of supernatural chaos. What follows is a race against time, filled with unlikely heroes, cutting-edge visual effects, and a message about embracing all parts of oneself.
In a lively interview, Quist and O’Regan shared their journey of bringing this unique film to life, a process marked by creative risks, tight-knit camaraderie, and a touch of Irish magic. From the moment they arrived at Gillen Castle in Balbriggan, the production felt like a dream. “Driving to set, you’re pulling up to this literal castle, and you’re like, ‘This is my job? This is crazy,’” Quist recalled, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. The castle’s sprawling grounds, with their lush gardens and ocean views, provided a stunning canvas for the film’s blend of modern technology and historical charm. O’Regan echoed the sentiment, marveling at the beauty of the location: “We were so blessed with the weather—it was dry for most of the production, and we’d spend downtime wandering the grounds, just soaking it all in.”
The story of Glitched centers on twins who, in their quest to save their grandmother’s castle, inadvertently open a supernatural portal, summoning a debonair ghost from the 1700s. The film’s mix of high-tech virtual reality and old-world mystique required a delicate balance, and Quist was determined to deliver a family film that didn’t skimp on quality. “Why not give kids high production value?” she asked. “Just because it’s a kid’s show doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have a beautiful grade, an extraordinary sound mix, and primo lenses from Panavision.” Her commitment to excellence paid off, with audiences praising the film’s vibrant visuals and heartfelt storytelling.
For O’Regan, who plays Findlay, a modern woman grappling with her ancestral aristocratic title while thriving in a STEM career, the role was a chance to explore a character who learns to embrace all facets of herself. “Findlay struggles with balancing these two sides of her identity,” O’Regan explained. “When she accepts that she can do it all, that’s when her arc feels complete. It’s about not being afraid to embrace every part of who you are.” This message of resilience and self-acceptance is one both Quist and O’Regan hope resonates with audiences. “Even when things seem insurmountable, stick with it—it’ll work out,” Quist said, summing up the film’s uplifting core.
The production wasn’t without its challenges, particularly when it came to the film’s ambitious visual effects. Quist described a “Hail Mary” moment when she pitched a bold vision for motion-capture avatars using Wonder Dynamics software, which was still in beta at the time. “I told the producers, ‘We’re going to do this with three actors in green screens, and I know it’ll work,’” she said. Despite skepticism from visual effects houses and warnings that it would cost millions, Quist’s persistence paid off when a newly independent studio, led by a programmer with a knack for problem-solving, stepped in at the eleventh hour. “It was a godsend,” Quist said. “They wrote the code, solved the issues, and those avatars came to life. I threw the football, and they caught it.”
For O’Regan, her own “Hail Mary” moment came during the casting process, which unfolded at breakneck speed amid the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. “I sent in a tape on Thursday, met Zoe on Zoom on Friday, and she asked, ‘Can you be in Dublin tomorrow?’” O’Regan laughed. “I was like, ‘Sure, I can make it happen.’ And I’m so thankful it worked out.” Her chemistry with the cast was immediate, creating a family-like atmosphere on set. “We bonded so quickly,” she said. “The downtime was a blast—everyone was having such a ball.”
Quist was effusive in her praise for O’Regan, calling her “a world-class talent” and a “movie star” with that rare, indefinable “it” quality. “She’s like a Formula One driver behind a Ferrari,” Quist said. “She’s professional, a crafts person, and just brilliant to work with.” O’Regan, blushing at the compliments, returned the admiration, describing Quist as a director who gave her cast “the right space and the right nudges” to shine.
For aspiring filmmakers and actors, both Quist and O’Regan offered the same advice: just do the work. “Don’t wait for the perfect moment,” Quist urged. “Shoot with your friends, make micro-projects, figure out new camera angles with your phone. There’s value in doing a thousand things at a mediocre level before you get to mastery.” O’Regan agreed, encouraging actors to “get in front of the camera, do the small projects, be persistent, and trust that great things will come.”
As Glitched prepares to charm audiences with its blend of humor, heart, and high-tech wizardry, Quist and O’Regan are already looking ahead. Quist is gearing up for a grounded sci-fi project aimed at a more mature audience, while O’Regan’s recent Irish indie feature, Sunflowers, is poised for streaming release. For now, though, they’re basking in the joy of bringing Glitched to the world—a film that proves that with a little courage, a lot of heart, and a touch of supernatural flair, anything is possible.
