May 29, 2010

PBS Film on William Strang and
the History of Overland Park, Kansas

CLICK on the “thumbnail” pictures
to view enlarged versions.

          Principal shooting for the film was conducted throughout the Kansas City area during the week of May 24, 2010.  The crew shot over six hours of raw footage, all of which is in 16x9, high-definition format.  Altogether, the crew took more than 400 shots in dozens of locations, and conducted ten interviews.

          The finished product will run 26 minutes on PBS stations nationwide, with an expected premiere in the Fall of 2010.  Check your local listings.

Monday, May 24, 2010

01 – Filming begins at Case Park in Kansas City.  Dr. Bill Worley, University History Professor, reviews the story of the 1903 flood with script writer and historian Peter Hansen.  Director Richard Luckin and KCPT videographer Dave Burkhardt set up the shot on a beautiful sunny morning.

02 – Local artist Wilbur Niewald (see www.wilburniewald.com) paints the modern-day scene where the 1903 flood devastated the West Bottoms.

03 – Patti Swanson, owner of a  Strang-era home gives an interview on her period-perfect screened in porch.  Florent Wagner, President of the Overland Park Historical Society (left) gives assistance on facts and dates.

04 – Videographer Dave Burkhardt of KCPT and award-winning PBS Director Richard Luckin are charmed by Patti Swanson’s reminiscences.  Patti can be seen in the monitor on the right.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

05 – Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College helps tell the story of Overland Park’s many cultural amenities.  General Manager Emily Behrmann gives Richard Luckin the tour as videographer Dave Burkhardt and scriptwriter/Historian Peter Hansen set up the shot.

06 – Ed Conrad, author of the book Heartland Traction, waits for his interview while sitting on a section of abandoned Strang Line track.  (Sitting on active railroad tracks is definitely not cool.)  Behind him is a re-creation of one of the old shelters.

07 – Historian and script writer Peter Hansen and KCPT Videographer Dave Burkhardt check the shot.

08 – Electric traction historian Robert Jeffries is interviewed at Strang’s South Lake Park.  To his left is Production Assistant Bonnie Hansen and PBS Director Richard Luckin.  KCPT Videographer Dave Burkhardt sets up the shot on a perfect late spring day.

09 – Former mayor Ed Eilert is interviewed at the Overland Park Convention Center.  Left to right are award-winning PBS Director Richard Luckin, historian and scriptwriter, Peter Hansen, Eilert, and KCPT videographer Dave Burkhardt.

10 – Former Overland Park mayor Ed Eilert and historian/scriptwriter Peter Hansen.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

11 – Overland Park Historical Society President Florent Wagner is interviewed at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.  He is sitting in front of one of the original Strang waiting stations, which has been relocated to this site.  Production assistant Bonnie Hansen holds a reflector, while videographer Dave Burkhardt and scriptwriter/historian Peter Hansen set up the shot.  Director Rich Luckin is seated in the foreground, peering into the monitor.

12 – Johnson County Commission Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh is interviewed by scriptwriter and historian Peter Hansen.  KCPT videographer Dave Burkhardt adjusts the shot.

13 – Johnson County Commission Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh and historian/scriptwriter Peter Hansen.

14 – The All Electric House at the Johnson County Museum helps tell the story of the suburbs and how they evolved during the post-Strang line era.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

15 – Fashion historian Bonnie Hansen demonstrates appliances in The All Electric House at the Johnson County Museum.

16 – It’s TV time in The All Electric House at the Johnson County Museum.  Fashion Historian Bonnie Hansen is watching TV while the TV camera is watching her.

Friday, May 28, 2010

17 – Award winning Executive Chief Jonathon Dallen, owner of TASTE is interviewed about being a young community business owner in downtown Overland Park.

18 – Railroad History editor Peter A. Hansen is interviewed in front of the Strang carriage house, the headquarters of the Overland Park Historical Society.  Seen on the left is KCPT videographer Dave Burkhardt.

19 – Overland Park Historical Society president Florent Wagner shares photos and stories with scriptwriter and historian Peter Hansen.  KCPT videographer Dave Burkhardt records the scene.