Biography

He has over 15 years experience in film and theatre. A member of the Young Irish Film Makers from an early age, Ross has completed several courses in drama, camera, lighting, sound and film history. He has worked on numerous short films and music videos as well as 6 feature films. He was a supervisor on the National Youth Film School for three years.

In December 2007, he became a member of Mycrofilms, working as behind-the-scenes photographer, P.R Officer and 1st A.D on web-based sitcom Vultures. He also plays “urban-street preacher” Jack Street in the series. Ross made his first venture into the world of directing with Vultures episode 4: “The Case Of The Poisoned Dates“, and went on to direct the remaining episodes in the series; ‘The Adventure Of The Hidden Microfilm‘, “Attack Of The Pinkertons” and “The Long Goodbye“.

Ross was a committee member of the Devious Theatre Company for over three years and he has previously appeared in over 30 stage productions. His promotional shots for Devious Theatre’s productions have been used in nationwide media promotion for their shows. He has performed in seven of their productions to date; which includes playing ‘Jimmy Skids’ in three productions of ‘Heart Shaped Vinyl’ which was named ‘Best Kilkenny Theatre of 2006′ and a Kilkenny ‘Highlight of 2007′.

His performance in the Devious Theatre adapation of Irving Welsh’s ‘TrainSpotting’ received rave reviews; “Ross Costigan delivered a strong performance as lead character and narrator Mark Renton. His portrayal of the unscrupulous but likeable anti-hero was a deviation from some of the more confrontational roles he has recently played and proved that the Kilkenny actor has an extremely bright future” (the Kilkenny Voice)…”Ross Costigan as Renton dominated the production with a powerful physical performance that was very impressive”(the Munster Express)…”I have no difficulty whatsoever in singling out Ross Costigan who was the linchpin, the nucleus, the centre of gravity of the play. The guy was marvellous. Full stop.”(the Kilkenny People)…”Ross Costigan deserves special mention. He is on stage for most of the show and you just know that this is the part he always wanted as he makes his journey through the hell of heroin addiction and back out again.”(The Kilkenny Advertiser) “Costigan’s skill at portraying this down beaten but lovable character was magnificent; he lived and breathed him.“(START Magazine)

He also played ‘Tommy’ in Devious Theatre’s ‘Smitten’ which enjoyed a completely sold-out run in the Barn Theatre, Kilkenny August 2008. He played several characters in Devious Theatre’s ‘The War Of The Worlds‘ which aired on KCLR96fm, on the 70th anniversary of the original broadcast, and went on to win a Bronze PPI Award in 2009.

Most recently, he made his debut performance with the Watergate Theatre Company as Ray Dooley in their production of ‘The Beauty Queen Of Leenane‘; “Ross Costigan’s Ray delivers plenty of comic relief as promised and is a wonderful foil for the harsh Mag. He especially comes into his own in his longer final scenes, where it is clear the character has good intentions but doesn’t quite know what to make of these two unpredictable women.“(the Kilkenny People) “Ross was the talented fourth member of an excellent team that fully deserved the end of play standing ovation from an appreciative audience.“(KilkennyAlive.com)

Ross holds a diploma in Print Journalism, receiving full distinctions in subjects ranging from shorthand to media analysis, and received the Student of the Year award. He graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Communications and Public Relations in the Institute of Technology Carlow, receiving 1st Class Honours. During his three years in I.T Carlow he provided several shots which are now used in promotional material for the college and received 2nd Place in the Life at ITC Photography Competition 2008.

He is the resident photographer and P.R Officer for Kilkennymusic.com, finalist for ‘Best Music Blog’ at the Irish Blog Awards 2007 & 2008 and nominated for ‘Best Music’ at the 2008 Irish Web Awards. With over 1500 live shots on display in the KilkennyMusic Galleries, he has worked with hundreds of independent bands and musicians from around the country. His staff blog (not in use anymore) was nominated for ‘Best Blog Post’ in 2008.

In 2007, he hosted a one-day Arts Council seminar ‘Getting Ahead in the Music Industry’ and has since provided PR consultancy for ArtLinks. He was a judge in the Hype Entertainment Battle of the Bands 2007 & 2008, also providing official sponsorship and photography coverage to the competition.

He is the resident photographer for the popular OneTake Sessions acoustic nights and was a long-time co-host on the SoundSystem weekly podcast show.

To date his work has been used on the Clergy E.P ‘Meditations of Linus’, the 20BullsEach album ‘Lost Causes’, several of his shots appeared on the Itchy Trigger Finger E.P ‘The Wrong Side of Misery’ including a collage of over a year and a half of live shots with the band. His shots appear on hundreds of band websites and MySpace profiles. His live shots of SlaveZero were published in Brutallica International Metal Magazine May 2007.

His work was featured on the CKIreland website for the launch of their new store in Kildare and Autumn clothing line in 2007. He was the official photographer for the elainECurtis fashion show 2008. His promotional shots of Saving J were used nationwide to promote their single Valentine and on the inner sleeve of their single ‘Kick-Off’. His work with Special Fx artist Carey Harte appears on the Atrax Mantis E.P ‘Condemned to Hatred’.

His promo shots were used in nationwide promotion of the Clive Barnes/Jeff Lang Tour summer 2008. Ross also provided his P.R services for several tours and helped to launch progressive grunge experiment The Lions Mane’s debut album ‘Strands‘.

He also worked closely with Hype Entertainment Battle Of The Bands winners South, to help them release their debut album ‘Insula’ in June 2009. His work with the band was a mixture of P.R, film and photography activities; providing the cover shots used on the album as well as producing a series of behind the scenes videos, ‘The Making Of Insula‘; capturing South in studio during the recording process.

Ross has experience working on the state-of-the-art RED camera; having worked as Camera Assistant & Data Manager with a steadicam crew on the Cartoon Saloon’s ‘BlueBeard‘ in November 2008. He recently became involved with SawFilms working on their flagship short films; he was RED Camera Assistant & Data Manager on short film ‘Black’ and 1st A.D & Data Manager on short film ‘Bitch’s Coven’. Both films will be released in 2010.

Ross is a self-taught user of Photoshop, Final Cut Express and Adobe After Effects; in September 2009 he received a FilmBase training bursary from the Kilkenny Arts Office to aid in the completion of further training in the use of After Effects. In November 2009, he received funding from the Arts Act Grant to aid in the purchase of equipment and plans are underway for his first ever multi-media showcase exhibition in 2010.

Ross shoots on a Nikon D80 and a Canon HG10. His work is a blend of film, theatre, P.R, music and everyday life seen through the eyes of a dreamer. If you let him in to your house, he’ll no doubt re-arrange your furniture and re-position every light source to “get it looking right”.