Overview

This timely collection of essays, Documentary in a Changing State: Ireland since the 1990s, examines the role of Irish documentary in film and television as Ireland experienced dramatic shifts in its social and political make-up in recent decades. Bringing together a diverse range of perspectives, this book tells it from the standpoint of the documentary-maker, the academic and the policy-maker. It reveals the role of documentary in telling stories that challenge the hierarchies of church and state, at the same time reflecting and representing the change brought about as a result in shifts to the political and social landscape. The writers in this book speak openly and vividly about the highs and lows of the battles they fought, not just with institutional powers but also within their own profession as documentary-makers. Documentaries discussed in this collection include the work of independents such as Alan Gilsenan, Louis Lentin, Mary Raftery, Donald Taylor Black and Ken Wardrop alongside television series including Would You Believe and Prime Time Investigates. Post-conflict and multi cultural Ireland is explored through the reflective practice of academics working in the medium of documentary. The impact of cultural policy and technological change to the landscape of documentary is considered through an examination of the output of TG4, changes to the commissioning process and the effects of digital media. This book looks back over the last two decades through the prism of documentary to get a snap shot of the dramatic shifts and upheavals in Irish society, socially, culturally and politically.

Full Product Details

Author:   Carol MacKeogh ,  Diog O'Connell
Publisher:   Cork University Press
Imprint:   Cork University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.476kg
ISBN:  

9781859184912

ISBN 10:   185918491
Pages:   194
Publication Date:   13 February 2012
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction The Social backdrop by Carol MacKeogh & Diog O'Connell RTE in a changing state by Diog O'Connell & Carol MacKeogh Section 1 - Documentary and social change in Ireland since the 1980s Speaking out: The role of documentary by Harvey O'Brien The power of one: Dear Daughter and Stolen Lives by Louis Lentin The faith factor, skill and chance: Five years in Would You Believe by Julian Vignoles Case study: Home Truths: Documentary on nursing homes and Leas Cross by Maire Kearney. Section 2 Documentary form: exploring new voices Transnational scenographies of care: The performance of migrant identities in documentary film by Alan Grossman Unheard voices: Recording stories from the troubles by Jolene Mairs and Cahal McLaughlin Documentary film and history by Desmond Bell Section 3 - Policy and politics - documentary production since the 1980s 'An appointment to view' - the role of RTE's Independent Production Unit in documentary making in Ireland by Dr Kevin Rafter The life of an independent film-maker: Some tales from the trenches by Donald Taylor Black Claracha faisneise ar TG4/ documentary programmes on TG4 by Ruth Lysaght & Rachel Lysaght, Section 4 - Towards the Future: Interviews with key players Interview with Ken Wardrop, director of His and Hers (2010) Interview with Alan Maher, production executive, Irish Film Board Interview with Mary Raftery, director of States of Fear & Cardinal Secrets, Digital impacts on documentary in Ireland by Pat Brereton

Reviews

This book gives a fascinating insight into the working life of documentary makers - it captures the passion that drives them, the commitment they make to their craft, and the issues they tackle in defining what constitutes documentary - indeed, what constitutes good documentary. This book will be read avidly not just by those in the business of creating and producing documentary but by a wide public who have learnt so much about their own society and culture through cutting-edge documentaries. Miriam O'Callaghan, RTE Broadcaster

Author Information

Carol MacKeogh and Diog O'Connell work in the Department of Humanities, Art Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

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