Nathan Jeffers/photo
Tu-Endie-Wei State Park is one of the unique places along the Ohio River Valley and could potentially be filmed from the skies as a part of the Smithsonian Channel’s series “Aerial America.”
MASON COUNTY — Mason County landmarks once again have a chance to be filmed for a television series, but this time from an aerial perspective.
Beginning on May 16, a helicopter from the Smithsonian Channel’s new series “Aerial America” will take off from Cloverdale, Va., and will be filming different areas around the state of West Virginia from a “bird’s eye view,” and one of the areas will include the Ohio River Valley. Local residents have the opportunity to suggest places for the Aerial America production team to film by going to the Smithsonian Channel Facebook page or Twitter page.
According to Denny Bellamy, executive director of the Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tu-Endie-Wei and Riverfront Park would be his suggestions for the Smithsonian helicopter to film.
“It’s not only historical, but it’s beautiful,” Bellamy said. “There’s not very many places on the river like it.”
Areas of Mason County, specifically Point Pleasant, have been filmed many different times for documentaries and other reports on the Mothman and the Silver Bridge. While local residents are no doubt excited about this type of exposure concerning the happenings from November 15, 1966 to December 15, 1967, there are several other attractions around the area that could potentially be filmed for this series that don’t focus completely on this particular time in history. According to Bellamy, around 15 to 20 film crews have been in the area over the years, mostly to film about the Mothman, but there has never been a crew from the Smithsonian Channel. He added that he encourages local residents to offer tips to the Smithsonian Channel on places to film.
According to a press release, a total of 26 other states have already been filmed, including California, Hawaii, New York and Washington. Other areas around West Virginia set to be filmed include Coal Country, New River, Greenbrier Valley, Eastern Panhandle, Potomac Highlands, Mountaineer County, Metro Valley, and Northern Panhandle, and the episode featuring West Virginia is scheduled to premiere in late 2012.
The Smithsonian Channel was reported as a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, formed to create a network featuring programs inspired by the assets of the Smithsonian Institution. Featuruing award-winning original documentaries, series, and programs highlighting America’s historical, cultural and scientific heritage, the Smithsonian Channel works to bring the American experience home in high definition. For more information, visit www.smithsonianchannel.com.
Post a Comment
