Reporting on Local Television News Since 1981
If there are things you need but can't find, please let us know
Reporting on Local Television News Since 1981
If there are things you need but can't find, please let us know
Wilderness Adventure
VOLUME 17, NUMBER 34 AUGUST 25, 1997
 The station used two crews --- each taking half of the three-week trip. The paper sent a reporter and photographer. After a week and a half, the first reporter and photographer returned to Portland and produced a week's worth of reports. When the trip was over, the second crew did the same thing. Fifteen pieces were edited at the station. The newspaper ran extensive stories in the Sunday editions. Both partners cross-promoted the other's upcoming coverage. There were many interesting stories. There were hunting and fishing camps. A retired entomologist tied fishing lures. Being an expert on insects, his lures were correct. A Native American was trying to preserve his tribe's custom of basketweaving. Adventure required extensive preparation The crews were outfitted at outdoors supplier L.L. Bean. There was a professional guide. A major concern was having enough batteries to last until the second crew came in with fresh ones. "We knew they would be out 10 to 12 days a piece. It was a seven-hour drive just to get to the area they were in!" he said. Lynch encouraged the crews to take survival and water safety training before they left. They were ordered to wear their lifejackets at all times. Although there were several sets of rapids, they were lucky, no one tipped over. Keeping the gear dry was a concern. The news managers bought a DVC camera and a plastic waterproof case for the trip. That allowed them to shoot underwater, as well as keep the camera dry when they went through the rapids or when it was raining. They shot underwater video of sunken logs in one lake that were remnants of a big logging operation years ago, as well as underwater views of other stretches of the lakes and rivers. "We never ran out of very interesting, very turnable, very good features," he said. The audience reaction was very positive. By the third night, the receptionist at the front desk was receiving calls from people who wanted to buy the video! "It doesn't matter where you live, there are adventures you can take. In the Midwest, one project could be to re-trace the journey of Lewis and Clark. In the West, you could travel on one of the famous trails," he said. Web site support and resources were extensive People could get more detailed information online. All of it was reinforced at the station's Web site. It was packed with information about the trip, canoeing, and the outdoors. There were many links to more information. The graphics were excellent, enhancing the mood and helping explain the trip. Elements included:   Story texts.
The full newspaper reports could be reviewed by an interested viewer. Reporters' journals.
Observations of the television reporters covered everything from the beauty of the woods and waters to the intensity of the rain and biting bugs. Related documents
and links. A map showed the region and the trip route. A person could learn everything from fishing techniques to the story of Benedict Arnold's attack on Canada by birch bark canoe. Typical resources linked to included Raske's Fly Fishing in Maine and Basic Flying Teaching, where you could learn to tie the Wooly Bugger, the Cork Head Popper and the Griffith Gnat. Still photos.
Many images were blended through the text. A bull moose rested coolly from the midday sun and heat along the banks of the Passadumkeag river. Press Herald reporter Tux Turkel and WGME photographer Jack Amrock brought a canoe ashore at Gassabias Lake to make camp. The team made camp at Kendrick Rips on the St. Croix in heavy rain. The newspaper's John Patriquin documented the journey with his camera. Moving video
moments. QuickTime clips showed the travelers in action. With the right program, you could watch and download several clips: reporters Tux Turkel and Amy Sinclair tackling the rapids; fly fisherman Bob Upham doing his thing; reporter Marnie MacLean paddling in a tranquil stream; or MacLean catching a fish. Top managers and staffers have been sharing their insights with us since 1981. Search the public portions
of The Rundown site. |
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Every market has an area that is popular with outdoors-oriented
people --- a place that is removed from the pressures of population.
In Maine, it is the vast coniferous forest of the great North Woods.
The premise was that trails that the
native Americans used
were still there, but hardly anyone saw them anymore.