Competing 250th DVDs cause consternation

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on November 06, 2009

Competing videos of Amherst's 250th anniversary parade are now available for sale to the public, providing an option for residents looking to preserve their memories of the signature celebratory event.

But having two different videos, the official one produced by SerioVideo and an unofficial one produced by Amherst Community Television, has spurred some tension between ACTV, which believed it would be the sole crew at the parade, and the 250th Committee, which contracted with an out-of-town company to create an official video.

Pat Wagner, a member of the 250th Anniversary Committee who led the organization of the parade, said Tuesday it caught her by surprise that ACTV was distributing an unofficial parade video.

"I didn't know anything about it," Wagner said. "ACTV didn't communicate with us."

In fact, until the day of the Sept. 27 parade, Wagner wasn't sure ACTV would have its cameras at the event. Because of the threatening weather forecast and what she called an unclear commitment from ACTV, the committee five days before the parade contracted with Patrick Serio's company, which had previously taped the Hadley 350th parade in June.

Jim Lescault, executive director of ACTV, disputes the idea that the 250th Committee couldn't depend on the station to be at the parade.

"If there was any doubt on their part, no one called to check with me," Lescault said.

Though he did contact committee members in the days leading up to the parade asking whether it would go off as scheduled even if it rained, Lescault said this didn't mean to imply ACTV wouldn't be there.

Lescault said he was disappointed that the parade committee didn't stick with ACTV for taping. "We had planned all along to be there and committed to shoot it," Lescault said.

In 2008, the 250th Committee had asked ACTV to tape the opening ceremony, the parade and the gala affair. Lescault assured the committee that the station would be covering these, as it has also recorded 12 to 15 additional events associated with the 250th anniversary.

Wagner added that it was important to her and the 250th Committee that everyone participating in the parade be part of the video, which was something she said ACTV officials could not assure her would be in its presentation.

But the only way to tell if any participants are missing from the video would be to compare them side by side, Lescault said.

Lescault said 11 people, including staff members, interns and volunteers, both worked at the parade and spent many hours in preproduction.

Wendy Bloomenthal, community outreach coordinator for ACTV, said the station didn't know until 48 hours beforehand that another film crew would be on hand.

Videos

The official video, which can be ordered using forms available at Town Hall or by going to www.amherst250.org, contains 90 minutes of footage of the parade with on-screen graphics for each participating group and the Amherst 250 logo.

Wagner said this video also recognizes the presenting sponsor organizations, as well as the Budweiser Clydesdale's ceremonial tour of downtown three nights before the parade.

The video is selling for $15 apiece and available for pickup at Hastings sometime within the next two weeks. They can also be purchased for $20 and sent by mail.

Serio said he set up two cameras, one on each side of the street, so that the parade could be captured in a traditional manner.

"It's a fairly straightforward presentation," said Serio, who produces many videos of sporting events.

The DVD box will contain a montage of photographs taken at the parade.

ACTV's video, which is available for $10 at the studio, runs 45 minutes and features parade footage and interviews with local business owners and others wishing the town a happy birthday. The cover for the DVD box depicts the University of Massachusetts marching band.

"I think people will be truly impressed and enjoy it," Lescault said.

The footage was taken using five cameras, including a unique overhead view that was accomplished by using the Department of Public Works' bucket truck. "The overhead camera makes it look quite magnificent," Lescault said.

The nonprofit is trying to recover the $1,500 or so in costs it incurred to tape the parade.

"We are trying to get it to people. We think it's a collector's item," Lescault said.

People can reserve a copy of the DVD by calling 259-3300.

Clips from Serio's video are available at seriovideo.com, while excerpts from ACTV's video will be shown on the community access channel.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.