May 06, 2004

Source:  The Bancroft Times, by Barry Hendry

The support and enthusiastic interest in the community entry in the TV Ontario "Most Talented Town Competition" has grown dramatically in its first week.  So far, those contacted directly and those who have phoned in to pledge participation all agree Bancroft qualifies with a very talented arts community.  The funding support for the video will include four partners, now in place or assured:  The Community Futures Development Corporation has committed $500; the AAC, $250; and, both the Town of Bancroft and Chamber of Commerce Board have assured the project their $250 shares will pass their motions at upcoming meetings.  All have agreed the value of the video will continue into the future, as each makes use of the scenes for their own promotional productions and presentations.  Cooperation from the Director and Cast, and good luck in timing have resulted in the opportunity to film the finale of Copocabana the day of final wardrobe fittings, on May 8.  Limited access to the Playhouse on May 8 has precluded using it, except to film the show's finale.  However, existing file footage of the Playhouse can be used, if necessary.  The wide range of groups pledging their participation spreads from the North Hastings Quilt Club to the Bancroft Pipe and Drum Band, the actors and actresses in Copa and Theatrics (in rehearsal) to the Rainbow Man Theatre Company, painters, sculptors, writers and musicians.  It is sounding like a party in the park, once the work of the video is complete, and a great chance to meet people in other sectors of the arts.  A committee met on May 1 to take the concept story line and shooting schedule for the video portion of the entry.  Coming forward to the committee were Algonquin Arts Council Vice President and Painter David McIntosh, AAC Director/Performer Abe Drennan, Theatrics' Barry and Betty Lambeck, former CTV News Producer Christine FitzSimons, and Actress and Arts Supporter Judy Edgar.  FitzSimons has taken the task of preparing the shot list for Videographer Lester Alfonso.  She will act as his Producer and Lead Assistant, with members of the committee and other volunteers acting as "guides" for each artistic sector.  The guides will gather the actors or musicians, or the writers and poets, into groups and prepare their participation in the video.  May 7, at the Chamber of Commerce board office at 4 p.m., AAC President Kevin Taylor announced the video plans at Invitation 2004, the juried show at the art gallery, on Friday night.  It is hoped all the artists entered in this show will attend the gallery at 8 a.m. on May 8, so filming can be done with their participation in the building.  A definite theme of the video emerged form the committee meeting.  Discussion pointed to the inspiration the surrounding countryside provides for artists of all kinds.  Scenes of "wilderness" and natural settings will be featured, interspersed with a staccato of very short sound bites from many representatives of each artistic sector.  Those planning to attend should plan what they could say in seven seconds that points to their reasons for being here, or what inspires them about the area, or a humorous and enthusiastic statement of about the vibrancy of the arts community.  Humour will pepper the video in vignettes to surprise and delight the judges, and hold their interest.  In the event of rain, the alternate venue will be the gym at the high school on May 8, at 10 a.m.