PBS producing Little Compton film, and you can be the star

'Our Town: Little Compton' will collect residents' stories for documentary

Posted 6/24/22

They say the best stories are often the ones that never get told. There's a chance to change that this year, with the help of Rhode Island PBS.

The state's public broadcasting station is …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


PBS producing Little Compton film, and you can be the star

'Our Town: Little Compton' will collect residents' stories for documentary

Posted

They say the best stories are often the ones that never get told. There's a chance to change that this year, with the help of Rhode Island PBS.

The state's public broadcasting station is looking for Little Compton stories for its "Our Town" documentary series. Little Compton residents with stories to share and an interest in learning more about the project are invited to a virtual town meeting on Wednesday, August 24, at 6 p.m.       

"We are pleased to announce the selection of Little Compton as the next location for Our Town," said David W. Piccerelli, president of Rhode Island PBS. "'Our Town' gives the community a platform to share stories and insights about the town in their own voices," said David W. Piccerelli, president of Rhode Island PBS. "It is also a meaningful way for the station to connect with our communities."

 The 15th installment in the series, Our Town: Little Compton, invites friends and neighbors to make their own short films for the documentary. Interested amateur and professional filmmakers are encouraged to register in advance for the planning meeting.

"While this kind of collaborative group project invites residents to be more involved with Rhode Island PBS, it also invites them to be more involved with each other," said project director Jodi Mesolella. "The stories are decided exclusively by the participants. They choose what will be in the film. If someone has a story idea, please come to the planning meeting and share it."  

Part community-builder, part culture catalog, part fund-raiser, and part “day-in-the-life” video scrapbook, each edition of Our Town shares the local legends, historical events, and personal memoirs of a Rhode Island town and its villages. The finished product will showcase the unique experiences, untold stories, and hidden gems that capture the essence of life in Little Compton.  

  At the virtual town meeting, participants will learn more about the production and have the opportunity to discuss the topics and ideas they have in mind. Rhode Island PBS staff will outline the timetable and submission deadlines, plus share tips about how best to capture stories. Throughout the presentation, participants can ask questions in real-time chat with Rhode Island PBS staff. Local business owners are also welcome to attend for more information about promotion and sponsorship opportunities.   

“Second only to the storytellers, businesses in the community play an essential role in this project,” said Kristen Haffenreffer, director of development at Rhode Island PBS. “Demonstrating their hometown pride and support for educational public television, local businesses will find 'Our Town' is an affordable and mutually rewarding investment.”    

There are no restrictions on age or experience, and there is no cost or compensation to participate. For those with a story in mind but no camera to capture it, Rhode Island PBS has the equipment to lend by appointment.      

For more information, see ripbs.org/ourtown. You can also call project director Jodi Mesolella at 222-3636, extension 209, project producer Abbey Oldham at extension 225, or email ourtown@ripbs.org. Business owners interested in Our Town: Little Compton sponsorship opportunities can contact Kristen Haffenreffer at 222-3636, extension 339. 

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.