WCDMUN

 My second MUN, yet still very daunting. Around 200 delegates representing far-flung countries including China, the Russian Federation and New Zealand.

Fueled by a potentially lethal concoction of caffeine and jelly snakes, I headed to Wesley. I can be forgiven for my antics, as the conference started on the same day that we returned from Gartan. Although we were on a mental high following the great week, physically, we were drained. Nonetheless, our delegation (which was that of the Netherlands, by the way), carried on regardless.

On Friday we split into our committees and handed in our resolutions. I was on the Economic and Social committee , or ECOSOC for short. In the last MUN conference I had attended, I had been on the disarmament committee, yet, being quite the pacifist, I couldn't handle all the talk about terrorism and guns!

It was much to my surprise when I received a note from the chairpeople informing me that my resolution was going to be discussed. Naturally, I was ecstatic - But that didn't guarantee me any success with it. We began discussing it on Friday evening at around 8. We had to pause the proceedings at 9 o'clock as it was time to go home. Fortunately, as the case may be, at that stage I was in a vegetative state of tiredness and disillusion, so for my own sake, it was a relief to go home!

Feeling rather refreshed on Saturday, we went back to the school and began discussing my resolution again. After about two hours, we reached the voting procedure. By a handful of votes, my resolution passed!

We spent the hours following drinking tea, deliberating and discussing. My committee passed another two resolutions in this time.

After lunch we went to GA (General Assembly) - I really should have a glossary for this blog post! - This was where all the delegations gathered together irrespective of which committee each delegate was on. We began discussing an emergency resolution about ISIS. A resolution about NGOs working with governments followed. Unfortunately, though we put up our placard a number of times, we were only recognised once.

It was another really enjoyable MUN, and as a delegation, we are looking forward to the next one. Well done to all of you!

RTE

Yes, I did a week of work experience during the mid-term break! - I suppose I'm seen as crazy to some and as committed to others.

 DIGITAL

On Tuesday, we went to digital. They are the section of RTE in charge of the website and RTE Player. We were part of a focus group with the team where they asked us about our online habits and about how we consume the media. They also showed us ways in which RTE were selling innovative digital ways of advertising to their clients. Their plan was to create something that is interactive and entertaining for the viewer, away from the monotonous nature of traditional ads.

RADIO

On Wednesday, we went into radio - my favourite section of the campus, narrowly beating the canteen! - We talked to Carl who works on 2XM, one of RTE's digital stations. He schedules pre-recorded shows, playlists music etc. Carl also features on 2FM's Nicky Byrne Show, where he is forced to do a variety of crazy stunts, all for the purpose of entertainment!

Then we went into 2FM, where we met Marc Mc Cabe. Before you ask, I confirmed this with him - That he is in fact the same Mark Mc Cabe of Maniac 2000 fame. Anyway, if you weren't going to ask, you now know! - Mark is the music director of 2fm. Basically this means that he picks all of the songs on the station, and categorises them based on popularity/chart positions/spotify plays etc. He then compiles them into playlists and they are broadcast on each show.

We headed downstairs to the studios, where Alan Swan, the producer of The Nicky Byrne Show, was waiting. Much to the dismay of the TY students with me, where we were informed that Nicky had left the building! - Not that I really cared all that much, I was more interested in the brand new 2fm studio. 'CC1' is looking very modern and funky, I'm sure you will agree! - Ignore the anorak jargon here!!!

Then we met Michael Cahill. He is the producer of Rick O'Shea in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I never got to ask the question I had always wanted to ask - Is Rick O'Shea a stage name? - Luckily, Google had the answer for me, and it is little but an alias. He told us about his path into radio and about the daily shenanigans on the show.

TELEVISION

On Friday we went to the television centre to see the Late Late Show being rehearsed. Unfortunately, as recording/photography was prohibited in rehearsals, I didn't get any photos. The set looks cramped in reality compared to its vastness on television. It was interesting seeing such a large team working alongside each other to produce a two hour show.

We were brought through the Fair City studios, which looked incredibly insignificant in person, much to my surprise. We heard how the show is edited as it was being filmed, which I had never realised.

We saw a number of editing suites where promos and vts were made, and where presenters dubbed and voiced their packages. These are the behind-the-scenes elements of tv that many are unaware even exist.

Here are a number of pictures of me in various studios:

                                 

CONCERT/SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

On Thursday we took the bus into the Natonal Concert Hall. Our group was taken around by the administrative director of the RTE symphony orchestra. We were told about their performances and given a brief history of the concert hall. 

We made our way into the auditorium and watched the orchestra rehearse for about 20 minutes. It was a brilliant experience hearing the great amplification of the acoustic instruments playing together.

Reflection

It was a really brilliant four days at the country's public service broadcaster and I envy everyone that gets to work in such an exciting and varied environment.