"And They Came to
The
ANNOTICO Report
My friend
Walter Santi, tells me that the Production costs of $220,000 for the
TV Movie is being underwritten by
Corporate
Sponsors, whose names are unfortunately available at this time.
There will
be two versions. A 60 minute one for NBC, and a 90 minute one for PBS,
with repeat shows.
DVD'S will
be available for schools and educators including supplemental materials.
Film has
the potential to be shown nationally, which would be great.
However
wouldn't it be great, if the same type of Documentary could be done about every
Major North American Metro Area.
Would this
Nationwide Project best be Coordinated by A National
Italian American organization like NIAF, OSIA, or UNICO.
OR, is this
a Project that might have to be sparked and "seeded" by a Local
Organization.
In what's being billed as an
unprecedented partnership, two local television stations are teaming up to
celebrate the history and contribution of Italian Americans in Chicago.
"And They Came to
Chicago: The Italian American Legacy," a documentary hosted by actor Joe Mantegna, is being presented as a joint venture by
WMAQ-Channel 5, the NBC-owned station, and WTTW-Channel 11, the Window to the
World Communications public television station.
Channel 5 will premiere the
documentary on Columbus Day (Oct. 9) and air it two more times. Channel 11 will
then broadcast an expanded version on Oct. 17, with additional airings and a
DVD offering to follow.
Gia Marie Amelia, a Chicago writer,
producer and director, will serve as executive producer of the project.
"My Italian heritage
has always been an important part of my identity and plays a vital role in my
personal and professional life," she said. "It is a labor of love to
pay tribute to this community, and this unique partnership will help to bring
our rich and complex story to a new generation of Italians in our city and
beyond."
The
ANNOTICO Reports are Archived at:
Italia
USA: http://www.ItaliaUSA.com (Formerly
Italy at St Louis)
Italia
Mia: http://www.ItaliaMia.com
Annotico
Email: annotico@earthlink.net