ST. MARYS — For the second time, the City of St. Marys will be featured on WPSU’s popular series Our Town.
The first time, the City was featured was in 1998, according to Jessica Peters, producer. “There’s been a lot of changes since then,” she noted. “It gives you a chance to share stories about your town.”
A meeting was held on Tuesday evening for volunteers who will go out and get video and still photos of a portion of the City they are interested in. Then on Saturday, April 20, they will turn in the material and the storyteller will sit down for a 20-minute interview. Each time slot is scheduled and will go by quickly. From there, the interviews will be edited down to only two or three minutes each and put together with both video and still photography to tell the story of St. Marys.
Whitney Chirdon, producer/director for the program, said that the city was one of the first featured on the Our Town series that has been in production since 1996.
“This project is a partnership between us as a public TV station and you as community members,” Chirdon said. “When we broadcast this program, we will be broadcasting it also online. Your hometown will be shared with so many people. Remember to also think of unique people. Viewers will want to see people they know, ones they see walking down the street or their family and friends.”
Some of the ideas that were discussed included: The local humane society with Mayor Sally Geyer; the history of the convent; the education system, with both Catholic and public schools; the history behind the Diamond; Straub Brewery and many more.
Releases must be signed by the storytellers the day of the interviews. Residents who appear on film, especially children must also have a signed release. It’s important that all children’s parents sign the releases in order for their images to be used. Not everyone involved in the project has to appear on film, as videotaping and still photography is also a vital part of the program, Chirdon said.
There are two video cameras available for use by community members. Videotapes will be provided. On the day of the interviews, a scanner will be available to scan in print photos. For larger items, they ask that they be photographed or put on videotape, rather than have the item taken back to the station. Once the interviews are finished, everything will be taken back to the station, where it will be edited for the next month. The finished product will air on Thursday, June 6. Volunteers who appear in the show will be given a sneak peak of the show a week early. More information on a date and time will be given later.
There is still time to volunteer to work on a story and schedule an interview. Contact Peters by email at jessicapeters@psu.edu
