RADE was fortunate to be invited to be part of the CityScapes Community TV series in Dublin in the Autumn on 2023.
CityScapes is a twelve part Coimisiún na Meán, Sound and Vision funded media literacy training and video production project, harnessing mobile phone and online streaming technology, to produce a living document on the different organisations that make up Dublin City’s Public Participation Network (PPN), capturing the vibrant and effervescent landscape of the capital. The PPN is the collective voice of community/voluntary, environmental and social inclusion organisations around the country. CityScapes is a pilot project and there are plans to roll it out to the entire PPN network operating across Ireland.
The project at RADE was approached as a two-phase production cycle, with the training course/workshops being completed first. Through these series of workshops, RADE participants were taught mobile video production skills which equipped them to then go on to produce segments that went towards an educational, engaging and entertaining magazine show exploring the three pillars under which the PPN operates. These are:
- Community & Voluntary
- Social Inclusion
- and Environmental
Each pillar will had a total of four episodes allotted to it and RADE came under the Social Inclusion pillar. The magazine show was then broadcast on Dublin Community Television, Virgin Media channel, 802.
CityScapes represents the opportunity to throw a spotlight on grassroots initiatives, giving a voice to communities on the ground around the country. The project also allowed RADE participants to gain practical/marketable experience on a working set. It also equipped them with the skills necessary to produce their own content on an ongoing basis, with opportunities to have it broadcast on Dublin Community Television. This has promoted empowerment and employment potential.
The aforementioned production process meant RADE members were both in front of and behind the camera. They also had editorial control in committing the finished pieces to the screen, meaning all content was pre-approved by RADE members and staff before broadcast. Reports from RADE about the experience have been positive and participants have been able to put the skills acquired through CityScapes to use in another collaboration with DCTV.
Susan Jackson, Producer and Co- Director of CityScapes
Click here to watch a clip from the final RADE segment. Participants and staff talk about history of RADE and what it means to them.