LAOCH
[láech] An Irish Gaelic word meaning warrior.
Thomas
"Tommy" McCague. Photo by Stephan Mazurek.
ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY FILM
Hailing from Drogheda, Ireland’s only powerlifter with dwarfism proves that strength comes in many forms. Laoch: Defy the Odds delves into the extraordinary life of Thomas “Tommy” McCague. Dwarfism is a rare condition and Laoch offers a look into the daily life of a little person (LP). Tommy's journey began as a quest for transformation as he battled depression and obesity. Powerlifting saved his life. The film follows Tommy to Limerick and Manchester, where he competes in the bench press event against average statured lifters. In Germany, he competes in the 2023 World Dwarf Games with other LP athletes. Tommy battles health challenges, shatters societal expectations, and breaks world records. The film is about courage, perseverance, and living your best life.
In 2019, a sports journalist friend named Barney Spender brought Tommy’s story to director & cinematographer Stephan Mazurek's attention. We began this project with the intention of creating a short documentary. But sometimes the story requires you to follow, observe, and be patient. Over a span of five years, Mazurek and Liz Sung (editor, 2nd camera) completed 43 days of filming in Ireland, England, and Germany. We remained steadfast through a global pandemic, and Tommy experienced health challenges, recovery, and redemption.
After logging 11 terabytes (172 hours!) of footage and four intense months of editing, we now have an 82 minute full length feature documentary.
Stephan, Tommy, and Barney after wrapping up filming in Manchester, 2022. Photo by Liz Sung.
WHY DO WE NEED YOUR HELP?
A lot of people have asked us, "the film is basically done, why do you still need funding?"
Because Tommy’s journey was so full of twists and turns, there was little opportunity to raise funds and apply for grant monies to support the production and post-production of this documentary. Which means as independent filmmakers, this project is self-funded and we've sustained the production by juggling freelance gigs and contract work in between work on the film.
We currently have a picture lock edit of Laoch: Defy the Odds, which means there's still more steps to take before we can bring this film to the world. Monies raised during our Crowdfundr campaign will help us fund half of the amount we'll need for the remaining work:
- finishing the original music score
- additional music licensing costs and recording sessions
- final color correction of the film
- final audio finishing and mixing
- captioning
- marketing & publicity to help get the film distributed
- film festival submission fees and costs
- final encode and exports so our film can be screened at film festivals and in movie theaters
...and we need YOUR help to get us across the finish line!
Traveling with film gear, setting up interviews on location in tight spaces. Photo by Liz Sung.
Laoch: Defy the Odds
Produced & Written by: Stephan Mazurek & Liz Sung
Director & Director of Photography: Stephan Mazurek
Editor, 2nd camera, and graphics: Liz Sung
Original Music: Dana Niu
Producer: Sarada Duvvuri
Co-producer: Barney Spender
Associate Producer: Sarah Hand
Produced in association with: Lotus Beast Productions, Liz Sung Productions, Mazurek Films, and Ragged Rock Films.
Stephan and Liz during a photoshoot with Tommy in the garage.
Liz with notes, deep in the edit.
Stephan & Liz with an Irish double rainbow on the last day of filming.
ABOUT US
Lotus Beast Productions crafts documentary films that promote human connection. From intimate character studies to unique community portraits, joyful expressions of existence and gripping life challenges, our stories inform, amplify, and provoke.
Based in Chicago, Lotus Beast Productions was formed in 2019 by long time collaborators Stephan Mazurek and Liz Sung. With a combined 20-year working experience in film and video production, Lotus Beast was founded with the goal of creating long form documentaries that could give our stories the depth it deserved.
Stephan in DP mode, getting the shot.
Mazurek's work as a director of photography on full length documentaries include Louder Than A Bomb, Love is a Verb, The Road Up, Million Dollar Pigeons, and Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm. Combined with his experience as a director and theatrical projections designer, Mazurek brings vision and creativity to the company.
Sung is a multifaceted artist working as a producer, director, editor, videographer, writer, and motion graphics designer. Her documentary work also includes short films for museums and not-for-profits such as Center on Halsted, Illinois Holocaust Museum, and the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.
Together, our skillsets ensure that from conception to screen, the stories we craft are authentic, empathetic, and thought-provoking.
Liz capturing competition footage at the 2023 World Dwarf Games.
Lotus Beast Productions currently has two feature documentary films in production:
• Laoch: Defy the Odds (completed in April 2024) is about Thomas McCague, an Irish powerlifter with dwarfism, who embarks on a quest to conquer the sport of powerlifting, proving that strength comes in many forms.
• Muntu (currently in post-production) is a documentary about Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago–– the 2nd oldest continually running African dance company in America. Filming began in 2022, and is currently in post-production.
L to R: A lesson on the art of Guinness.
Interview close up. With Tommy & medals post comp.
The fantastic Mr. McCague. Group selfie at the
World Dwarf Games 2023.
Your donation will help us cross that finish line. Any amount helps, and at ALL donation levels, your name will be included in the film's end credits! So what are you waiting for...
HELP US SHARE THOMAS MCCAGUE'S STORY WITH THE WORLD!
Perks
"It's a good lift!" That's what every powerlifter wants to hear.
For helping us get to that good lift, a $50 donation gets you a limited release THOMAS MCCAGUE SPORTS TRADING CARD, created especially for this campaign!
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
150 kg is Tommy's "Big Daddy," his goal weight he wants to lift!
We'll send you:
• a limited release THOMAS MCCAGUE SPORTS TRADING CARD, created especially for this campaign.
• a private link to view the film for a 48 hour period once it is released
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
Laoch is gaelic for warrior–– and you are our hero!
At the $250 level, you get:
• a limited release THOMAS MCCAGUE SPORTS TRADING CARD
• a private link to view the film for a 48 hour period once it is released
• a LOACH TSHIRT!
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
You're helping us set that new record!
At the $1,000+ level, you'll get all the goodies from previous levels, PLUS a one hour zoom session with Tommy and the filmmakers... a great chance to ask anything you ever wanted to know about powerlifting, dwarfism, life, and documentary filmmaking! Zoom session participants can be groups, school classes, or organizations. Reach out and let us know what you're thinking of!
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
Let's eat! Have a meal with the filmmakers and let's talk about documentary filmmaking!
At the $5,000+ level, we'll take you out to dinner (or lunch, brunch, breakfast, tea time, dim sum...) in person either Chicago or Ireland. Plus, you'll get all the other goodies too, delivered in person!
$10,000 would mean your name credited as a CONTRIBUTING PRODUCER in the end credits of the film, AND on the film poster (revised version to be released post-campaign).
And yes, you can opt to get all the other goodies, too!
Highlights
See all activity13Dwarfism
Dwarfism is a rare condition with many different types, even undiagnosed forms. Achondroplasia is one of the most common types of dwarfism, and according to the Little People of America, occurs in one per 26,000 to 40,000 births. Most average-height people in this world will not have the opportunity to meet a person with dwarfism in our lifetime. During production of this film, we often noticed a level of discomfort when we talked about dwarfism with other average statured people. There will always be the fear of the unknown, but if knowledge is power, we hope this film offers constructive information and fosters awareness.
Laoch: Defy the Odds offers audiences an intimate look at the daily life of an LP. Representation matters, and a positive representation of the dwarfism community is sorely missed from the silver screen. When we encounter LPs represented in media and films, they have historically been used as a form of entertainment: ridiculed, sensationalized, stereotyped, or used as a butt of a joke. Not only do people with dwarfism live a full life, there are also many LP athletes that achieve amazing stats everyday. We want this film to be a space that allows people to learn about dwarfism, but also to shed light on the amazing dwarfism sports communities.
Learn more about the featured organizations in the film:
Dwarf Sports Association Ireland
BKMF (The German association of short-statured people and their families)
Powerlifting
Tommy's powerlifting journey began during his quest for better health.
Not only did powerlifting help him build muscle, he was also able to
strengthen his bones, find better mental health, and be a part of a
diverse sports community. The experience of attending and documenting
powerlifting events is eye-opening. There were teenage lifters as well
as athletes over 80 years old. There were participants from different
countries. There were bodies of all shapes and sizes. There were
disabled and non-disabled competitors.
Laoch: Defy the Odds is technically a sports film, but you don't need to know anything about powerlifting to enjoy it. However, we can't be responsible if you should fall in love with the sport and decide to try it for yourself.
Here are 14 benefits of weight training... get inpsired!
Learn more about the gyms, athletes, and organization featured in the film:
Thomas McCague
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddieesmall/
Eamonn Harford
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laoch_coach/
Southside Barbell Limerick
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southsidebarbelllimk
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/south_side_barbell/
IPO AIPO (Irish Powerlifting Organisation, Amateur Irish Powerlifting Organisation)
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ipoaipo/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ipoaipowpcireland/
British Powerlifting Union
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/british_powerlifting_union/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritishPowerliftingUnion
url: http://britishpowerliftingunion.co.uk/
Activity
"It's a good lift!" That's what every powerlifter wants to hear.
For helping us get to that good lift, a $50 donation gets you a limited release THOMAS MCCAGUE SPORTS TRADING CARD, created especially for this campaign!
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
150 kg is Tommy's "Big Daddy," his goal weight he wants to lift!
We'll send you:
• a limited release THOMAS MCCAGUE SPORTS TRADING CARD, created especially for this campaign.
• a private link to view the film for a 48 hour period once it is released
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
Laoch is gaelic for warrior–– and you are our hero!
At the $250 level, you get:
• a limited release THOMAS MCCAGUE SPORTS TRADING CARD
• a private link to view the film for a 48 hour period once it is released
• a LOACH TSHIRT!
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
You're helping us set that new record!
At the $1,000+ level, you'll get all the goodies from previous levels, PLUS a one hour zoom session with Tommy and the filmmakers... a great chance to ask anything you ever wanted to know about powerlifting, dwarfism, life, and documentary filmmaking! Zoom session participants can be groups, school classes, or organizations. Reach out and let us know what you're thinking of!
(In-person pickup/delivery option only available in Chicagloand area)
Let's eat! Have a meal with the filmmakers and let's talk about documentary filmmaking!
At the $5,000+ level, we'll take you out to dinner (or lunch, brunch, breakfast, tea time, dim sum...) in person either Chicago or Ireland. Plus, you'll get all the other goodies too, delivered in person!
$10,000 would mean your name credited as a CONTRIBUTING PRODUCER in the end credits of the film, AND on the film poster (revised version to be released post-campaign).
And yes, you can opt to get all the other goodies, too!
