Tripwire’s Friend Chris McAuley Has A Couple Of Big Announcements To Make

Back To School?

Chris McAuley is a great friend of Tripwire for numerous reasons. He recently reached out to our contributing writer Paul N Neal because he said he had had some exciting news to share. Below is the interview that occurred. Drawing by James Roach…

TRIPWIRE: Chris, I gather you may have an event planned at your old school. Before diving into the event itself, can we establish a few facts? Between what ages and what years did you attend the school in question?

CHRIS MCAULEY: 11-16 and 1994-1999

TW: For those of use that were not wonderful at Maths at School how old does that make you in 2026?

CM: 43.

TW: Can you describe what school was like for you? Did it offer a welcoming environment? Also, some schools tend to specialise. Some are more tailored to the sciences or foreign languages whereas others encourage the humanities or the creative arts. Did your school specialise at all?

CM: I was probably a difficult pupil all those years ago. More interested in comics and video games than studying. I was encouraged to write and pursue creative talents which balanced out the science style subjects.  When I reflect back on it all I realized how much the teachers and environment shaped me. Some of those teachers are still there today!

TW: Everyone remembers their favourite teacher. I especially believe this is true of creative writers and artists. Teaching is such a fundamental skill in any society and wonderful teachers should be celebrated. Can you name a teacher that especially inspired you? Was there a teacher that made you the writer and artist you are today?

CM: I had a few great teachers – from primary school, which was the place I first read Dracula! I was encouraged to read by Charmaine Foster.

At the Academy it was History with Mr Hall, Neal Pattterson and Mr Boyle. Those lessons came alive and I carried that love of story and history into my work today (writing historical feature films and comic books). My art teacher Mrs Reid was a wonderful source of inspiration as she encouraged us to chase creative flow – I had the privilege of teaching her classes last year in a visit to the academy and then there was Mrs Hunter who was my media studies teacher

TW: So, your years at the school in question were positive? You have happy memories of your time there?

CM: It was positive and I made a lot of friends – many of whom I’m still in contact with today. Those were difficult times in Northern Ireland before the ceasefires and agreements, but the school fostered a sense of hope and community

TW: Just for the record. Where is the school we are discussing. What is it called and where is it specifically?

CM: Ballymena Academy – it’s located in Ballymena.

Ballymena Academy and its beautiful grounds

TW: For the uninitiated where is Ballymena?

CM: In the north of Ireland 30 miles away from Belfast – significant for also being the birthplace of Liam Neeson.

TW: That is a wonderful piece of trivia to share. So, what exactly takes you back to your school after all these years? It must be pretty significant I am guessing. Am I wrong?

CM: Last year a documentary was shot of me opening up a library in my primary school and me lecturing at Ballymena Academy. Various teachers, politicians and local dignitaries were interviewed about how they felt about my successes in film, literature and gaming.

The documentary has been expanded to include voices from Hollywood and legendary creative talent such as Pat Mills, John Freeman and artists like Clint Langley I’ve worked with.

The documentary will be shown as I open Ballymena Academy’s newly refurbished library in May. Also present will be famous veterans from North America such as Shilo Harris who have contributed to my new military series (and are members of the military charity Helping a Hero)- Ghost Protocol.

My business partners in film Brooke Woods Bechtol and Owen Cotter will also be present, and we may be announcing a Hollywood film project.

TW: That is wonderfully cool, and a huge accomplishment. The Hollywood film project sounds intriguing, but the immediate question is simpler? Do you actually now have your own writing in your old school library for a new generation of students to enjoy? If that is the case, that must be very satisfying.

CM: I do – actually in both schools libraries

TW: Surely that must make you feel very proud.

CM: Yeah it’s a lovely feeling – particularly when pupils write to me and tell me how much they enjoy my books – Alien at the Backyard BBQ has been a particular hit – illustrated by Simon Chinook – it’s a choose your own adventure title.

TW: You mentioned you opened the new library. Were you given a large pair of scissors and a red ribbon to cut to celebrate the occasion?

CM: There was no ribbon, but I opened the door and saw my name on the wall and some library shelves filled with my books.

TW: For those of it that can’t make it, Is there any way you fans can enjoy the documentary you mentioned? Will it be made available online? Perhaps You Tube for example?

CM: It will be shown at various film festivals across North America.

TW: What is the full title of the documentary? Does it have a cool movie poster yet?

CM: No poster or name yet

TW: Is the documentary still a work in progress? Is there is a chance it will eventually become available online to enjoy?

CM: The documentary is being finalized this week and there are no plans to put it online at the moment.

TW: At this rate you’ll be telling me you have the BBC involved of I’ll be seeing you on Good Morning Britain during my morning cup of coffee.

CM: lol – will be BBC NI probably – RTE is covering it.

TW: Beyond the documentary and your return to school, I understand your big announcement may be more Dracula related? Please explain.

CM: Yes, the film studio I co-own – Trinity Studios are working on a brand-new Dracula film which combines original IP with the authenticity I’ve brought with my work on the StokerVerse. We are working with various A-lister Hollywood actors and a very well-known director who made Dracula extremely popular in a film from the 90s. I’m choosing to reveal more on Ballymena when my partners Owen Cotter and Brooke Woods Bechtol are with me for the documentary screening. I also wanted to bring this news to my hometown as it’s a place I love and I want Ballymena and the surrounding area of Broughshane to be celebrated.

TW: Tripwire will certainly be intrigued to hear more announcements, but can you tell us just a little bit more. Surely you accept Dracula has been adapted so many times now it must be hard to make a new take on the character stand out in crowd of other adaptations. What will make you film special and unique?

CM: It’s not an adaptation but a continuation of…. Well, that’s all I’m allowed to say for now, but fans of the 1992 film will not be disappointed.

TW: For clarity, I assume you are referring to the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola adaptation.

CM: No comment.

TW: For fans of Dracula new and old. In one sentence can you say why what you have planned should make then excited?

CM: New characters, characters never seen before that were intended for the original novel by Bram Stoker (but removed by his editor) and an incredible cast resurrecting the ultimate dark love story.