So, Lisa, you must be chuffed to land this gig?
“Absolutely. I’ve been a movie buff all my life. It’s amazing to be doing Box Office in collaboration with Virgin Media.â€
What have you been up to so far for the show?
“I was recently in Cannes to catch a screening of The Killing of a Sacred Deer (the Irish-backed film which bagged the Best Screenplay award at the festival). It’s directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and it’s even more twisted than his hit The Lobster.â€
Was this your first film festival to attend?
“No, this is my fourth. Cannes is a magical place – from the yachts, the people, the passes, the cameras, the lights, the sun – it’s all action. I’d recommend popping along and getting a coffee and a croissant and soaking up the atmosphere if you can.â€
Sounds tough, but if we can’t get there Box Office will bring us to the front row, right?
“Absolutely. You can soak up the glamour and enjoy some big-name interviews, in-depth reviews, behind-the-scenes footage and sneak-peaks of all the latest blockbuster films.â€
Who are your own movie influences?
“My favourite director is Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas and Casino are right up there) and Barry Levinson’s Rain Man is one movie I can return to again and again.â€
Will the show be purely aimed at Hollywood?
“No, we’re firmly focused on Irish talent, too. An important part of Box Office is to showcase Irish talent and film.â€
So, what do you think of the latest batch of superhero offerings for the summer? Does Wonder Woman cut it as a female role model?
“I’m not sure that she’s empowering women, but I do think the original TV character had a fantastic costume . I dressed up as her for my engagement party. The star-spangled knickers and the superpowers… bring it on!â€
Speaking of superpowers…what would your’s be?
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the TV3 canteen. That would be pretty interesting. You could make a whole documentary series out of that like The Office.â€
Three things you didn’t know about Lisa...
1 She qualified with a master’s degree in film from Dublin Institute of Technology.
2 She worked as assistant producer on the documentary, I Killed John Lennon, which aired previously unreleased interviews with Lennon’s killer, Mark David Chapman.
3 She previously worked as a presenter on TV3’s Xpose and, most recently, on Weekend AM with Anna Daly.
