The writer, script editor and senior commissioning executive of TG4’s three-part, flagship 1916 drama, Wrecking the Rising (Éirí Amach Amú), which broadcasts from this weekend (23rd, 24th and 25th April) will offer unique insights into the genesis and development of the much anticipated €1.5million production at a special workshop for students of IT Carlow’s degree programme in TV & Media production next Monday (25th April).
The broadcasting coup is thanks to IT Carlow lecturer Paula Mulroe, who was script developer and editor for the 1916 drama. Paula, who lectures in Movie Appreciation & Scriptwriting on IT Carlow’s BSc (Hons) in TV & Media production, is also a former script editor for Eastenders, Ballykissangel and Murphy’s Law, amongst other popular TV series. She is former Head of Development of the Irish Film Board.
Paula will be joined by Wrecking the Rising’s writer, James Phelan and Micheal O'Meallaigh, the senior commissioning executive at TG4, who will discuss the process of developing this drama, as well as broader industry issues. This event will take place from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm on Monday April 25th at IT Carlow.
Wrecking The Rising (Éirí Amach Amú) follows the fortunes of three Dublin men who travel back in time to 1916, just as the Easter Rising is about to break out. Their first act on arrival is to accidentally kill Pádraig Pearse. Realising they have inadvertently ruined the Rising before it has even begun, they must somehow concoct a plan to keep history on course. Soon they are battling, not only for their own futures, but the entire country’s future too. The ensemble cast includes Peter Coonan (‘Love/Hate’), Owen McDonnell (‘An Klondike’), Sean T. Ó Meallaigh (‘Charlie’), Jeanne O’Connor (‘Sineater’), Enda Oates (‘Moone Boy’ and recent IFTA winner for ‘Fair City’), Eva Jane Gaffney (‘What Richard Did’) and Olga Wehrly (‘Dark Touch’).
Interestingly, the drama was directed by Ruan Magan, great-grand nephew of The O'Rahilly, one of those executed in 1916 and the grandson of Sighle Humphreys, the Irish political activist and member of Cumann na mBan.
Paula Mulroe started working on Wrecking The Rising (Éirí Amach Amú) two years ago and her responsibilities included character development, storylines, dialogue structure and general writing/editing. “We had great fun working on this flagship drama. With time travel involved, we could be very creative with the script and there’s a great cast. The workshop on 25th April will be of tremendous value for our tv and media students who will go on to work in the industry across both television and film”, she commented.
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For reference: Alma Feeley, Communications Dept., IT Carlow
Tel: 059 9175098 Mob: 087 8204934