TV show delves into history, highlights
SAXONBURG — Two Butler County residents got in front of the bright lights and cameras Friday morning as a pair of freelance cinematographers visited three sites around the county gathering video and information for a nationally syndicated televised show.
“World's Greatest” visits communities around the country and showcases the unique, compelling aspects that make those places great.
The show, which is produced by Florida-based H2M Media, sent cinematographers Joe Kramer and Ja'rel Ivory to the county.
The pair began the day at the Saxonburg Museum, where they showcased the museum's mix of artifacts and borough history, and filmed interviews with Sara DiBello of the county Tourism and Convention Bureau and Fred Caesar, a borough resident and volunteer with the Saxonburg Historical and Restoration Commission.
Caesar, who spoke about the borough's history and founding by John Roebling in 1832, called it a golden opportunity to draw more visitors to the Saxonburg.
“Your don't have many opportunities like this,” Caesar said. “We're hopeful that we can put that out there and hopefully people will see it and say 'that's a unique town and I want to visit it'.”
He called the experience of being in front of the camera something he's not used to. Caesar is a former news director for television news and radio broadcasts, and worked for years in Harrisburg. He is more used to being behind the camera than in front of it.
He said anyone in front of the camera has to have confidence and composure.
“I just hope I can help highlight the history and uniqueness of the area.”
Kramer and Ivory were scheduled to visit Diamond Park and the Butler County Courthouse, both in Butler, and the trailhead of the Washington Trail in Evans City before wrapping up their shoot on Friday.
DiBello, who spoke on camera about the county in general and the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in particular, called the experience eye-opening. She worked with the crew for nearly 45 minutes setting up her shots in the museum.
“It's fascinating to watch them mess with the lighting and get the shot right,” she said. “Seeing their ideas and how much goes into setting up a particular shot is pretty interesting.”
DiBello called the featurettes, which will be included in an episode that is to air in the spring, a golden opportunity for officials working to spur interest in tourism.
“People from all over the country are going to see this and want to come here,” DiBello said.
For Kramer and Ivory, who have contributed to “World's Greatest” for six years, the trip to Butler County was another opportunity to learn little-known facts, and for once enjoy an easy assignment.
“This seems like kind of a nice one,” Kramer said of what shooting in the county was like Friday. “Unusually they're more difficult.”
The pair said they weren't sure why the county was selected by the show's producers, but said the point is to present viewers with fun, unique experiences and history.
“You learn so many different things doing this job for the show,” Ivory said.
