Share Your Voice, Your Vision - Discover Our Town with Rhode Island PBS

Share Your Voice, Your Vision -
 Discover Our Town with Rhode Island PBS 

Volunteers Invited to Capture Stories about Glocester, RI 

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (August 20, 2014) – Rhode Island PBS launches Our Town, a community project where neighbors become filmmakers to tell the stories of Our Town.

The Our Town series will share with viewers the local legends, historical happenings, and backyard secrets Rhode Island towns and villages have to offer – those untold or uncelebrated stories that capture the essence of the town. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm. Residents are especially urged to participate, but one need not be a resident of the particular town - just have a great town story to tell.

“Our Town is perfect for Rhode Island,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “Our towns and villages are teeming with great stories, found in memories, on streets, and in libraries. We are giving the community a platform to tell the stories and perspectives of their town in their own voice. It's also a meaningful way for us to connect with our community of viewers.”

The first Our Town destination in Rhode Island is Glocester. Residents, business owners, town officials, and other interested parties in the vicinity are invited to attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 3 at 5:30 p.m., at the Glocester Manton Library, 1137 Putnam Pike in Chepachet.

A technical, hands-on workshop for the volunteer videographers will be held on Thursday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m., at Rhode Island PBS studios, 50 Park Lane, Providence. Volunteers are asked to bring their cameras.

Actual filming can take place any time between September 15 and 26.

“This kind of collaborative group project invites residents to be more involved with Rhode Island PBS, and with each other,” said Jodi Mesolella, project director. “Judging by the response we’re already getting, Glocester is as ready as we are, and we’re looking forward to an engaging experience.”

Rhode Island PBS hopes to recruit 20 to 25 volunteers with their own cameras. There are no restrictions as to age or experience and there is no cost or compensation to participate.

“We will offer guidance, technical advice and support to our volunteers, but this is definitely Glocester’s story as told by the community,” said Margie O’Brien, project producer. Video recorded by the volunteers will be edited together by Rhode Island PBS to create a one-hour film to be shown in December.

Part fund-raiser, part community builder, part historical and cultural documentary, and part “day-in-the-life” video scrapbook, Our Town is expected to be popular with project participants and viewers alike.

For information about joining the Rhode Island PBS Our Town project, visit ripbs.org/ourtown, or call Jodi Mesolella (project director) at 401-222-3636, extension 209, Margie O'Brien (producer) at extension 225, or email ourtown@ripbs.org.

About Rhode Island PBS
WSBE Rhode Island PBS is operated by the Rhode Island PBS Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, established in 1987 as a public charity to raise funds and provide support services for Rhode Island’s public television station. WSBE-DT is a viewer-supported member of the PBS network of public broadcasting stations, and transmits on three channels: Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1), Learn (digital 36.2), and Spanish-language programming on Vme (36.3). Committed to lifelong learning since 1967, WSBE Rhode Island PBS uses the power of noncommercial media to educate, engage, enrich, inspire, and entertain viewers of all ages in Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut. For more information about the programs and education services at WSBE, visit www.ripbs.org. 

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