Eipic (TV series) explained

Camera:Multiple-camera
Genre:Teen drama
comedy drama
Musical comedy
Director:Louise Ní Fhiannachta
Runtime:31–33 minutes
Editor:Conall de Cléir[1]
Producer:Paddy Hayes
Starring:Fionn Foley
Cian Ó Baoill
Róisín Ní Chéileachair
Daire Ó Muirí
Fionnuala Gygax
Cinematography:Colm Hogan
Country:Republic of Ireland
Language:Irish
Network:TG4
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:6
Company:Magamedia

Eipic (in Irish ˈɛpʲɪc/, "epic"), stylised as EIPIC,[2] was an Irish teen drama miniseries which was broadcast on Irish-language station TG4 in 2016, coinciding with the centenary of the Easter Rising. It depicts five teenagers in contemporary Ireland who take over an abandoned post office and aim to start a "musical revolution."[3] [4] It was written by Mike O'Leary of Misfits, who wrote in English and then had his scripts translated into Irish.[5] [6] [7]

Production

Eipic received funding from TG4, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the Section 481 tax scheme. The scenes in the village of Dobhar were filmed in Woodford, County Galway.[3] Writer Mike O'Leary said that "The aim was to explore the idea of how teens today living in rural towns straddle two worlds [because of] the internet and social media […] On the one hand they’re stuck in the back of beyond, and on the other hand they’re plugged into this global network.”[8]

Plot

Five misfit teenagers living in a grim small Irish town ("Dobhar", from an Irish word meaning "gloomy") come together to rebel against the tedium of their lives.[9]

Reception

The Irish Times praised Eipic, Una Mullally saying that it "could be one of the best homemade dramas in recent times. […] It’s frenetic and funny, touching and blunt, equal parts Pure Mule, Skins and Glee. […] O’Leary’s writing is brilliantly boisterous, and aside from five excellent performances from the leads, the ancillary characters also shine […] The tone, pace, soundtrack […] and creative choices throughout bristle with an energy that’s been missing from a lot of Irish drama."[10]

Eipic won the prize for Best TV Series at the Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2016 Media Awards.[11] Róisín Ní Chéileachair was nominated for Best Actress for her role as Móna.[12]

At the IFTA Gala Television Awards 2016, Eipic was nominated for Best Children's and Young People Programme; Best Director – Soap and Comedy (Louise Ní Fhiannachta); and Best Irish-Language Programme.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile: New TG4 Series 'Eipic'. 1 February 2016.
  2. Web site: Misfits writer praises TG4 for taking on Ireland's first post-watershed teen drama with Eipic. independent.
  3. Web site: Magamedia musical comedy series 'Eipic' to commence on TG4 next month | The Irish Film & Television Network. www.iftn.ie.
  4. Web site: 11.01.16. TG4.
  5. Web site: It's Eipic! TG4 airs exciting new Irish teen drama. Fionnuala. OLeary. 10 February 2016. EVOKE.ie.
  6. Web site: Curtis Brown. www.curtisbrown.co.uk.
  7. Web site: Eipic: A new TG4 comedy/drama from the writer of Misfits. Padraic. Killeen. 2 February 2016. Irish Examiner.
  8. Web site: "We want a realness and rawness to it": Ireland's first post-watershed teen drama is here. Aoife. Barry. TheJournal.ie.
  9. Web site: WATCH: TG4 Launch New Musical Comedy Drama. Her.ie.
  10. News: TG4 hits the bullseye with new teen drama Eipic. Una. Mullally. The Irish Times.
  11. Web site: 16.05.16. TG4.
  12. Web site: 05.04.16. TG4.
  13. Web site: 15.09.16 - IFTA. TG4.