MPBN to air student-made ski film

    “Biathlon Comes to the County,” a production of Viking Video Productions, the video production class at Caribou Tech Center, will be transmitted on MPBN on March 2nd and10th at 5 p.m.. This documentary is a full overview of what took place during the IBU 2006 Biathlon Youth/Junior World Championships in Presque Isle.     Nine students enrolled in Viking Video Productions worked on the documentary for about a year before finally completing the 30-minute long DVD, under Instructor Brenda Jepson’s guidance. “The students spent many days filming and bringing back exciting footage to edit – from the Opening Ceremony to the busy Media Room, and from exhilarating races to fireworks on the last night,” said Jepson.
    The production starts by examining the history of how the Biathlon made its way to Aroostook County, including interviews with old-time New Sweden skier, Ralph Ostlund, and New Sweden’s Scandinavian scholar, Dan Olson.
    “Biathlon Comes to the County” then shows professional competitors from all over the world come to the County and race for the gold. Included in the production are hard fought races and interviews with those who are closely involved, as well as enthusiastic fans and volunteers.
    “Those from The County, who are able to watch the event, may see a family member, a friend, or even themselves. This film provides the chance to see something exciting about Maine, the sport of biathlon, and a once in a lifetime opportunity for many,” said Jepson.
    Students in the Video Productions class thought filming the Biathlon was a unique experience. “I learned a lot from the Biathlon Championships,” said Amanda Getchell, a 2006 Presque Isle High School graduate. “It was an awesome experience being able to meet some athletes from all over the world. It was hard, at times, having to film out in the freezing cold during a snowstorm, but in the end it was worth it. It was a good hands on experience for the class to have,” she added.
    Viking Video Productions is very excited to have sold two underwriter tags for this show – with the $1,000 proceeds going into editing equipment for the class.
    Maine Winter Sports Center and Northern Maine Development Commission have taken the tags to promote biathlon and tourism in Aroostook County on MPBN, which has a potential audience of 1.3 million in all of Maine as well as parts of Quebec, New Brunswick and New Hampshire.
    Anthony Woods, a senior at Caribou High School shows his enthusiasm, “I am very glad that the class is fortunate enough to be able to sell sponsorships so we can get new equipment.”