How people in media, creative industries and beyond are continuing to work: Part 2

By Matthew Geraghty

#covid19 #workingfromhome #media #artists

After the success of the first article on this subject I decided to talk to some more people about how they are managing to keep working (or not) during the shutdown.

Fergal Darcy- Radio Presenter at Today FM

‘I’ve never been busier, for some people, the radio is their only friend whilst alone. It’s eerie to go into an empty office and broadcast but it’s an honour to do it. It’s a strange time, people had forgotten how to be nice to each other... mabye hitting the reset button and being locked down is for the best. It’s a time to talk, help and be safe.’

Ciara Fanning- President, Irish Second Level Students’ Union

‘I’m finding working from home really strange and bizarre. Having a library in college to go to and focus was something I definitely took for granted, it’s a completely different story to try and be as productive sitting at home in my kitchen with Wifi that is dodgy at the best of times!’

Eoin Greally- Fashion Photographer

‘The outbreak has left me without any work. Every job I had for the foreseeable future has been cancelled and like everyone else, there’s no telling when I will be able to work again. So, in short, it has changed everything for me in terms of my work. I am a full time freelancer so I have no consistent wage or company to back me up. It’s really frightening to watch all of your work just disappear but I am using the time to expand my knowledge on the industry and broaden my range and what I can offer to a client. I am working on more artistic, personal projects that I already had been planning and getting inspired for more. As difficult as it is for everyone, I’m staying as hopeful as I possibly can.’

Lauren Kelly- Manager of LaurenKate Bakes, Kerry

‘I’ve had to stop baking for others for fear of spreading anything bad and also can’t interact with people or have them come to my house to collect orders...due to the two kilometre restriction and also (there has been) a big decline in orders because there are no events or celebrations really being organised.’

Eoghan Holland- Head of News Flirt FM

‘Things have certainly changed a bit and the constant stream of people into the station is deeply missed. I actually just brought my work machine home and we control the station via a swiss army kit of network software. I think the short term effect on media will be very negative, the larger state funded organisations will survive on sheer inertia alone...My hope is that people understand that this is a lifetime sized global event which has already changed the entire world and what is forged in the next few years will remain in place for the foreseeable (future).’

Paddy Henry- Student reporter at the Connacht Tribune

‘I’m probably an exception to the rule here, I hate working from home. Being a student on work placement and having spent the last 6 months in a professional work environment, being stuck back in my home house with my parents seems something of a fall from grace! Getting into a good work routine is so difficult when the mammy is asking you if you want a cup of tea every five minutes!’

‘I am far less productive when working from home, which I suppose is a valuable lesson to learn this early on in my career, I guess that comes as a silver lining of sorts during this unfolding crisis, but I would definitely much rather be working from an office right now. I would give anything to be back at my desk in the Connacht Tribune.’

If you are struggling with working from home we have an article right here on our blog with tips that will sort you out, find it on our homepage.