2012 -- seeds of change

In 2009, a few of us experimented with format and crew development. We completed programs for 6 non-profit/community organizations. The intiative was then interrupted by the evolution of WPAA into a media center (new building/location); and the crew was distracted by the creation of studioW (which is now a Piece Theatre project) and general skills retooling.

In 2010 there was an program development idea mentioned here about discovering our local farms with the storyline of Farming remains a cornerstone in Wallingford, Connecticut as it links the past to the future. (This idea has some footage, but no product.)

In 2011, the OTPG Free Speech Week documentary video did get 1st place kudoes at ACM NE. We also used 2009 footage for some PSAs and did a follow-up project with Seniors Have Dreams, Too and continued to re-tool.

In 2012, we are restarting OTPG but not as the program with that name.  A local production crew will use this name OnTheParadeGround name and the spirit it implies partnering with local resources to produce content that features localism that makes a difference one person at a time.

Today I found the 2010 story line here on the website of a local farm. So this farmer and some other content experts are being invited to making TV again on Mondays. I hope that by telling Wallingford stories and having informed conversations with locals who are passionate about sustainable food systems I will be just one individual that can begin a positive food story of my own. Posted by the remaining crew person - adele.

Launched YouTube Channel OTPGWPAA

It is challenging to schedule shorts on the Community Access Channel. They can be filler and seen if someone is surfing. So in addition to submitting to WPAA-TV some shorts will be posted on the OntheParadeGround You Tube Channel

There are a few Versions of Blood On Our Hands on this Channel because viewers provided great feedback to improve the piece. The final Remix can be viewed here.

studioW 4 entries from year 1, otpg 2 from year 2

Our year has been more random than anticipated but given we supported events that on average were 3 hours long we did produce considerable content. We also have capture/LIVE programs that get post production attention to tell a fuller story and improve video quality.

This Year we are taking our chances on the following in the ACM-NE Video Festival.
OtPG: Voices of the People – Empty Plates Empty Pockets. Original capture Nov. 2010.
The paper plates in this video did get to the desk of the President via train via Congresswoman DeLauro’s Office. The idea and original footage was transformed into a 2 minute PSA about using community media as part of the community recipe for public policy issues.

OtPG: Home of Free Speech -Wallingford. Promo for Oct 2011 Open House - Free Speech Week.
The video uses archival footage from PSAs and Holiday PSA Days and video notes on the building renovation to document the relocation of WPAA to 28 So. Orchard. recipe for public policy issues.

studioW: Zombie Vs. Vampire: A Rockperetta. (Music); M&Ms in Heaven (Children); Virtual Gates - a dream play (Theater); DryDock Music Festival Heaven (Live - 1st hour);

Distracted by studioW -- all good

The February studioW show is currently in Post Production. There was a full array of performances that evening hosted by Piece Theatre. The Visual Arts display was equally enchanting with Recycle Art by Karen J Wassmer and Ryk Wilkinson, photography by Steve Walter (his gallery is here). Adam Stone from Boston was the featured Poet.

So if you missed the event, here is a peek at what will soon be in distribution via WPAA-TV.

Piece Welcome



M&Ms in Heaven Play Preview

Social Action Art at studioW

The next event Drama & Drums is Feb 25th at WPAA-TV 28 So. Orchard St. studioW events have packed the house so plan ahead with an RSVP.

The Dec 10 World Premier debut of the parody Rockperetta Zombie Vs. Vampire can be still be viewed on-line at Video-on-Demand at www.wpaa.tv. Doors open at 8pm.

Performance Artists interested in becoming part of the studioW experience at WPAA are asked to contact the production volunteers at otpg@comcast.net.

Community Links: ParadeGround 21st Century

We support community building. These links are being added to our blog:

The virtual "town square," for Wallingford at AmericanTowns.

The people's stories organized & distributed by People's Press.

And the Record-Journals Forum for Opinion sharing about Wallingford.(registration required to participate).

Our Volunteer Team and the WPAA-TV Board...

The 28 So. Orchard location for WPAA-TV needs to have occupancy approval for the 2nd floor before OnTheParadeGround can resume with our Monday programming. Our Team has been part of the volunteer crew designing, renovating, cleaning, and moving all things television.

In June the WPAA-TV Board did adopt a policy for VOD that we qualify for~~Locally produced at WPAA-TV; so our original 6 programs will be available as Video On Demand as soon as the technology is deployed. The will include the Special Memorial Edition of the Relay For Life Program and the non-profit PSAs completed June 10.

Remember we are a volunteer crew trying to help the Wallingford Community tell their stories. You can join the Team. Josiah will host again for a brief time when we resume as Paul has Theater commitments in August. So consider being a host, running a camera, collecting images, editing....