The RTÉ Cork series Secrets of the Irish Landscape, presented by Derek Mooney which was broadcast on RTÉ One last May, has won gold at the final of one of the world’s most prestigious film and television competitions, now in its 57th year – the New York World’s Best Film and Television Awards 2014, for the best documentary series in science and technology, competing against entries from 36 countries.
The three-part series follows in the footsteps of Robert Lloyd Praeger, Ireland’s greatest naturalist and author of the iconic book ‘The Way That I Went’, as Derek Mooney updates the history of how the Irish landscape came into being, using the very latest science and research.
The series was produced in RTÉ Cork in association with the National Botanic Gardens and UCC, and was backed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
At the Award Show in Las Vegas, (which was held as part of NAB, the USA’s national association of broadcasters convention on April 8th) Derek Mooney said,
“I love making nature programmes. It’s part of who I am. I’m genuinely thrilled we’ve won this award, not just for myself but the crew and for RTÉ. When we think of science and nature programmes we tend to believe that only the BBC can make them but this proves we can do them just as well, if not better. It’s fantastic that a very Irish story, about how we got our landscape, has found such a universal resonance and connected with others around the world, and that we also got the chance to celebrate the work one of one Ireland’s greatest scientists on the world’s stage. I was aware of Praeger’s work but it wasn’t until I journeyed in his footsteps, that I fully appreciated the man. The success of this programme on the international stage will, I hope encourage RTÉ to develop this genre of TV. There is a market for natural history programmes in Ireland and there is plenty of subject matter for TV producers to focus on – bring it on!”
Head of RTÉ Cork, Colm Crowley said;
“It’s is a real honour to represent RTÉ at this prestigious festival which has given us a chance to showcase the work of Irish television on an international stage. Winning gold at this event is a fantastic tribute to the RTÉ Cork team that put the show together, and a special thanks to Derek and his radio team who also contributed hugely to the making of this series. Also special thanks to the chief series consultant Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens who was centrally involved in developing the series.”
This is the third major nomination the series has received in the last few months. The book to accompany the series was a finalist in the Irish Book Awards and the series also has received a nomination for the Houston Film festival in Texas.
The series is currently on air in Australia and Canada.
The series was shot in HD by freelance DOP Barry Donnellan on a Cannon C 300 camera, with additional photography by RTÉ’s Cork’s Ben Kilroy and a small team of specialist landscape photographers.
The series was edited by freelance editor Cliona Nolan and RTÉ staff editor Sean Mooney and dubbed in RTÉ Cork by Niall O’Sullivan. Location sound was recorded by freelance Kieran Curtain and RTÉ Cork staffer Brendan Cahill.
The programme was researched by freelance Niamh Reilly.
A complex media management solution was required to handle the HD work flow which was managed by Antoin O Callaghan and John Lynch in Cork and the series was graded in Windmill Lane by Dave Hughes.
The production co-ordinators who worked across the 12 month shoot were Aoife O’ Callaghan and Sonya O’Neill
The chief series consultant was Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens.
About the 2014 NAB Show
NAB Show, held annually in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With nearly 95,000 attendees from 156 countries and more than 1,500 exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
ENDS
Date: 9th April 2014
For more information please contact: Karen Fitzpatrick, Communications Manager, RTÉ Television, T: 01 298 2667, karen.fitzpatrick@rte.ie; M: 086 814 9290