Introduction
Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman is a feature documentary from Disney+, in which Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville captures David Letterman’s maiden voyage to Ireland to explore Dublin with Bono and The Edge and see them perform a gig unlike any other they have done before. The project was shot in Ireland and, in line with Section 481 skills developement requirements, production company Keeper Pictures submitted a skills development plan to support training and upskilling of crew and creatives on the production.
As well as being old friends and bandmates, Bono and The Edge are the creative engine of the band U2. During lockdown they spent time revisiting many of their iconic songs and set about re-recording them for the times we live in today. The result is 40 of the most famous and recognisable U2 tracks stripped back to just Bono’s vocals accompanied by The Edge’s guitar.
Bono and the Edge are big David Letterman fans. The band has had an association with the comedian and talk show host for many years, including a residency on his CBS talk show. Bono sent David an email inviting him to visit the pair in Dublin and attend a special show at the old Ambassador Cinema building at the top of O’Connell Street.
Production
The shoot for the documentary took place over a week in December 2022, and saw David Letterman meet with several notable Irish personalities including Panti Bliss, Glen Hansard, Donal Fallon and Fintan O’Toole. Letterman also explored a number of iconic locations around the Irish capital such as The Forty Foot, Caviston’s Food Emporium and Marsh’s Library. Dublin’s vibrant music scene is highlighted in a special session in McDaid’s pub with acclaimed Irish music artists Hozier, Dermot Kennedy, Imelda May, Grian Chatten, Ye Vagabonds, Loah, Saint Sister and more.
Supporting Skills Development
Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman took on ten skills participants in the areas of production, accounts, assistant directing, art department, camera and locations. These crew gained valuable knowledge from this unique experience of working on short shoot for a high profile, multi-camera music documentary project.
The scale of the project gave Irish crew work-based learning experience to focus on targeted skills to advance their career development. As part of the Section 481 skills requirement, Irish production company Keeper Pictures (formerly Blinder Films) delivered a skills development plan to meet each individual’s needs. This included talent from other creative sectors such as music and theatre bringing their transferrable skills to the screen industries.
The most valuable part of my training was being side by side to the production designer, I learnt the most by being next to Joe and him telling me his top tips and tricks for a successful production. Whenever he was approached by a member of production asking for something to be resolved or discussing with a producer or director how they would like to execute something I would listen to how he would deal with or adapt to that situation, so definitely good communication and good knowledge and relations with the other departments.
– Eleanor Finney, Art Department Trainee
Supporting Upskillers
The production also allowed for a number of upskilling opportunities for members of our crew who already had a substantial amount of experience of running events in live music production but had not yet worked in film production as such. A project such as this one which featured the filming of a music performance in the Ambassador presented a great opportunity for our line producer as well as our travel and accommodation co-ordinator to upskill and push themselves to working in such a new environment. Ciara Davey is one of those participants.
Ciara Davey, while having a long and established career in music event management has only recently moved across into the world of film. Her overall organisational skills are exemplary, and took to covering new responsibilities such as cameras and electrical equipment, purchase orders, contracting and production accounting. The transition was smooth and Ciara was extraordinarily quick to take on board and understand a different way of doing things from her vast previous experience in the world of music production
“Her overall management of a considerable budget, with large crew numbers within a very short preproduction and production time frame was superb, and I would have no hesitation in recommending and indeed employing her as a Line Producer on other projects.
– Mary McCarthy, Producer
Supporting Shadowing Opportunities
Keeper Pictures also had a shadow producing placement arranged on this project. Emerging documentary producer and former graduate of the Screen Ireland and TU Dublin Advanced Producing Programme, Ann Ní Chiobháin shadowed producer Séamus Murphy-Mitchell for a total of eight days across the prep and shoot. This opportunity gave her insight and experience working on a documentary project of this scale. Having previously specialised in TV series, she has now assisted a major documentary release on casting extras, location scouting, crew logistics, equipment, transportation and catering.
I really enjoyed my time as a shadow producer on this project. I learned a lot especially on how to deal with larger crews. After my time on the film set, I went on to series produce a six-part factual entertainment for TG4 which had a large crew (not as large as this one!) but larger than I normally would work with and I think this experience really helped with my people management skills.
– Ann Ní Chiobháin, Shadow Producer
S481 Screen Talks: Industry Masterclasses
While principal photography for the documentary was quite short, Disney+ had scheduled its release for St. Patrick's Day on 17th March 2023. This short production timeline required a quick turnaround in the editing and post-production process. In the lead up to the release, Keeper Pictures, in partnership with Screen Ireland, presented two S481 Screen Talk industry masterclasses with Morgan Neville and Justin Wilkes – two key creative talent involved with the project.
These sessions, moderated by Emer Reynolds and Ciaran Cassidy respectively, provided broader industry insights from Morgan’s and Justin’s distinguished careers and how they formed a successful collaboration with the Irish screen industries. It speaks to the reach of Irish culture and creativity that more international projects like this are engaging with Section 481 to highlight Irish stories. Irish production companies like Keeper Pictures facilitate this with a keen focus on supporting Irish talent behind-the-camera too.
About Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman
U2’s Bono and the Edge make a timely return to Dublin with Dave Letterman, reflecting on their journey as musicians and friends. The film features never-before-seen footage and interviews detailing their songwriting process and the inspiration behind their greatest hits. During lockdown in 2020, Bono and Edge spent time revisiting many of their iconic songs, and re-recorded them for today’s audience. When they emerged, Bono invited Dave to visit the pair in Dublin and attend a special show at the old Ambassador Cinema building at the top of O’Connell Street. Directed by Morgan Neville, this is concert movie, a travel adventure, and the story of one of the most remarkable friendships in the history of rock and roll.
Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with David Letterman is now streaming on Disney+.