Eamon O’Rourke, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, takes his camera into the bustling streets of New York City to document the lives of those who live in its close quarters. In addition to his documentary style that focuses on one individual or local community, he’s also taken an interest in audio stories. O’Rourke has a knack for finding narrative gold in what some may view as mundane subjects.
“I feel like I’m always on safari,” says O’Rourke about filmmaking. “I’m always looking for interesting people and new situations.”
As a freelancer, O’Rourke has produced several documentaries for US and international outlets such as the BBC, HBO, PBS, Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and National Geographic. His latest project is The Fulton Fish Market: The Last Generation , a documentary that he co-directed with Mary Dickson about America’s largest seafood market located in New York City.
Eamon O’Rourke is also the producer of the award-winning film, The Forgotten Space , a documentary that explores how one building in New York became a sanctuary for musicians, actors, dancers and artists to live and work. He’s currently working on another documentary about fashion designer John Bartlett and his unique way of showcasing his work.
“The story behind John Bartlett is an interesting one,” says O’Rourke. “His fashion shows are truly like no other. He holds them in art galleries and non traditional venues. He doesn’t use a runway for the models.”
Although he’s focused on documentary filmmaking, O’Rourke is currently looking to produce AudioBoom’s first audio drama called The Forgotten Space , about a real-life building filled with outcasts and misfits during the summer of 1977.
“I have been really interested in audio storytelling,” says O’Rourke, “although visual stories are still my passion. They are more complex and interesting to tell. One day when I have more time, I’d really like to adapt some of my documentaries into audio stories.”
Eamon O’Rourke has also been commissioned to work with The New York Times , the BBC, HBO, the Discovery Channel and others. His work has screened at numerous film festivals internationally including Berlin, Tribeca and Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal. He previously interviewed John Waters on behalf of New York Press .