That once upon a time in the media we didn’t realise the value of archives, of holding onto original programming and editions, never ceases to amaze me.
Of course, as the ongoing fallout from the devastating fire in 2008 at the Universal Music archive warehouse in Hollywood shows, it wasn’t just a media shortcoming and that even now, what we chose to store and how we store it is far from perfect.
My luckiest career break may well have been a literal one. It happened 40 years ago this month. I could be a very happy headmaster somewhere now if it hadn’t happened. Though I suspect my break really was for the best.
Mistakes, I’ve made a few, but then again, too many not to mention…
With apologies to Ol’ Blue Eyes and Paul Anka, I was reminded the other week of one the many both major and minor cock-ups that have littered my media career to date.
The debut Off Message podcast, featuring the media-related wit and wisdom of RTÉ 2fm’s music-and-movie-mad Dave Fanning.
Over the course of our chat Dave reminisces about his almost completely accidental career journey; how his RTÉ career hasn’t exactly gone to plan; whether he’d ever ask U2 the hard questions; his unconventional advice for succeeding in the media world, and at a typical Fanning rate of knots, of course much, much more.
Real honesty in the media is a rare thing.
I don’t mean in its coverage and output.
No, I’m talking about the honesty of those of us lucky enough to work in the business when we’re discussing in public the day-to-day workings of our job.
And my blogposts to date prove I’m as guilty as anyone else.
When freelancing work dries up (or at least goes eerily quiet for a while) you’re forced to get your pitching mojo back on.
Which is where I’m at right now, partially because of Brexit, surprisingly enough.
And whatever the outcomes it’s the waiting that kills you.
As I left RTÉ last week at the end of another long run there I was very aware that I hadn’t a gig lined up to go to anywhere else anytime soon.
Oddly I wasn’t too worried, which as a freelancer is a very weird feeling.
It was an odd few months not being able to post on social media about the recent marriage referendum.
Instead I just shouted at my telly, radio and laptop.
When Radio Eireann had a monopoly on Irish airwaves pirate radio was the only realistic outlet for the majority of folk with any broadcasting ambitions.
Including yours truly.
Now the taxman has done damage to bank balances it is indeed beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
And it’s a particularly weird period in TV and radio.
In media or any other business don’t ever underestimate the importance of luck.
Likewise don’t over-estimate the role of your own talents and hard work.
How humiliating are auditions?
I’ve only ever done ten; and I got three of those, a pretty decent batting average.
Unsurprisingly so I’ve never minded them.
