Bad experiences with RTE

ianrush

Just throwing it out there, if you've ever tried to make a programme, how bad is it dealing with RTE. I've heard that the current drama department is a nightmare to work with but does anyone have any horror stories they wish to share? Be anon if you like. Think of this as therapy without the bills...

Wheels

They're complete morons. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Has anyone ever tried ringing reception at RTÉ? It's a very interesting experience, pick a department and generally you'll get somewhere else entirely.

ianrush

I've heard a fair bit about the production of Trouble In Paradise from members of the crew that worked on it. It seems that it wasn't just a car wreck on screen but off it too. The (terrible) producers and crew had several standoffs and the director Emer Reynolds (who by all accounts is sound and tried her best in difficult circumstances) was eventually locked out of the editing suite.

DublinWriter

A wife of a mate of mine is a freelance TV producer, but she will only deal with independant production companies.

If you really want a career in the broadcast media, feck off to the UK at your earliest possible chance if you are young and single enough.

It's a closed-shop here. RTE is a closed shop within a closed shop.

Steve01

I was on a Sunday mass transmission 4 years ago where I encountered the rudest crew members. I wouldn't spit on them if they were on fire.

The Sparrow

Steve01 wrote:

I was on a Sunday mass transmission 4 years ago where I encountered the rudest crew members. I wouldn't spit on them if they were on fire.

lol thats the christian spirit for ya!:D

afatbollix

its a hard industry to get into and the way RTE does its bussness its even harder...

ive worked withe the crew of fair city... nice people but im ashamed of the show they produced... me as a student could of done better...

i had the feeling that they dident care as long as it was done...
6 shadows comes to mind

lodgepole

DublinWriter wrote:

If you really want a career in the broadcast media, feck off to the UK at your earliest possible chance if you are young and single enough.

It's a closed-shop here. RTE is a closed shop within a closed shop.

There are a couple of other broadcasters in Ireland you know...

Steve01

woooo232 wrote:

lol thats the christian spirit for ya!:D

*holding up burning effigy of RTE crew member* DAMN RIGHT!

Mossy Monk

Lodgepole wrote:

There are a couple of other broadcasters in Ireland you know...

But DublinWriter gets to have a dig at RTÉ.

DublinWriter

Lodgepole wrote:

There are a couple of other broadcasters in Ireland you know...

A couple is indeed the right choice of word - couple meaning two - TG4 and TV3.

I still think anyone serious about a career in television (either side of the camera) should feck off the UK ASAP.

...after all, the strategy worked for Uncle Gaybo, didn't it?

Milktrolley

DublinWriter wrote:

...after all, the strategy worked for Uncle Gaybo, didn't it?

...and Terry Wogan and Eamonn Andrews...

DublinWriter

Milktrolley wrote:

...and Terry Wogan and Eamonn Andrews...

...and Donal MacIntyre and Graham Norton...

...although I think Terry Wogan automatically revoked his right to Irish Citizenship when he began a witty observation with the phrase "We Brits..." during one of the Eurovision Song Contests in the early 1990's.

lodgepole

DublinWriter wrote:

A couple is indeed the right choice of word - couple meaning two - TG4 and TV3.

I still think anyone serious about a career in television (either side of the camera) should feck off the UK ASAP.

...after all, the strategy worked for Uncle Gaybo, didn't it?

And Setanta and 6. If you think it's easier in the UK, you're kidding yourself. BBC, Sky, Channel 4, they're all as tough to get into as RTE. Move to London and you'll happily find work for some tatty digital channel, but the slog is exactly the same. There are a lot of oppurtunities in Ireland for people willing to work hard in television.

DublinWriter

Lodgepole wrote:

And Setanta and 6. If you think it's easier in the UK, you're kidding yourself. BBC, Sky, Channel 4, they're all as tough to get into as RTE. Move to London...

I'm not saying that it's easier, I'm saying that there's more opportunities in the whole of the UK (not just London) because of the large network of regional operations within both the ITV and BBC corporate structures, as well as the larger number of independent production companies.

Like it or not, getting work in the media in Ireland still remains more about who you know, not what you know.

Wheels

DublinWriter wrote:

Like it or not, getting work in the media in Ireland still remains more about who you know, not what you know.

It's the same in the UK. You gotta work your ass off and prove yourself before you make a name for yourself.