MY TY:Transition Year student Jack Fanningfrom Blackrock College had to look after the rock stars while working on his dad's music programme on RTÉ television
'IN THIS FIRST term of Transition Year I've walked 15 miles for the diabetes unit in Crumlin Hospital through rainswept, freezing cold Wicklow Hills and I've learned how to make a pizza!
"I've also checked out how a TV programme comes together. The Last Broadcastis a one-hour music show which goes out late at night on RTÉ 2 on Wednesday and Friday. I went to the recording of the programme at the Ocean bar on Charlotte Quay in Dublin - not the whole show but the 'links', the live bands and the guests.
"One of my jobs was to bring in the bands and guests as they were needed. Three bands were recorded and all three interviewed for three different programmes. Lisa Hannigan had a four-piece band with her so the recording was a little trickier than, say, Mick Flannery, a solo singer and guitarist from Blarney. The guests - such as Dave Duffy from Fair City, Harry Crosbie from the new 02 concert venue and Ryan Tubridy from RTÉ - talked about their favourite music. The interview lasted about eight or 10 minutes but when it turns up on the telly, it's about 18 or 20. The music they pick is played in during the editing stage the next day.
"The editing takes place in a state-of-the-art editing suite in Pearse Street called Highwire. One programme takes many hours. I learnt a little about grading, dubbing, conforming and other stuff - but I'm still not sure if I understand the difference between offline and online editing!
"Each programme includes interviews with rock stars which might have been recorded in Ireland or abroad. For these programmes it was Rod Stewart in London, Jarvis Cocker - also in London - and Linkin Park in Dublin. Also, a special 'feature' section had Pink Floyd's David Gilmour in Poland, Brian Wilson in the studio and Oasis making their new album. Videos and live music from Irish bands make up a lot of the show.
"Being in Highwire was very interesting. Editing is very detailed and very precise and Sonia, who edited the show, was very patient, helpful and informative. I worked on the editing with my friend at school, Luke Mulcahy, and we got a great insight into how a music TV show is made. There are so many pieces - it's like a jigsaw and we even get a credit on the show.
"Also, last week, both of us went to the Music Show, which was held at the RDS. We learnt more stuff about music, radio, TV etc, which is all good homework for our stint on our very own school radio station, Blackrock College Radio, which broadcasts over a five-mile Dublin radius for five days in the middle of November.
"It's going to be great!"
