will.illinois.edu/prairiefire/episode/pf2007-02-08 WILL, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Series Episode Prairie Fire takes viewers on the circuit where Abraham Lincoln made his rounds as a lawyer. We also present a story from 1995 about the National Convention of Lincoln Presenters. Finally, we visit Edwards Place in Springfield. Abstract Segment Arts/Culture, Historical Landmarks, Illinois Culture/History, Springfield, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings Growing up in Springfield I attended art classes and community events at this beautiful home. But it wasn’t until I produced this story that I really learned the history of this important place in my hometown. In the summer of 2006, as I was coming up with story ideas for the new season, I got a call from a volunteer at Edwards Place in Springfield. I remembered the home and wondered how much it had changed since I was a child. Soon afterward I was in Springfield to take my infant son to a doctor’s appointment so I decided to stop by. I met with curator Amanda Lampert Gleason and after a quick tour we discussed some ideas of how to do the story. She mentioned their upcoming “ghost tour” when re-enactors bring the Edwards family to life. I thought it would be fun to include them in our production and to help viewers visualize what life must have been like in the home in the 1860s. Luckily the actors were happy to help! They all did a great job and it was fun getting a chance to “meet” the Edwards Family. As we were shooting the story, it was easy to imagine the tremendous parties that had taken place there. In my story I wanted to convey the beauty and elegance of the place, and the shooting and lighting work of Tim Hartin and Julius Bolton did this impressively. Curator Amanda Lampert Gleason was a fascinating interview subject as she knew the facts of the home inside and out. Her love for the history of this home was obvious. After the story was edited I was very sad to hear that the actor who portrayed Benjamin Edwards had passed away. John Robertson had made the initial call to me that had reawakend my interest in Edwards Place. I’m very grateful that I had a brief chance to meet him when we were taping the story. And I know that the Art Association is very thankful to all the work he has done at Edwards Place over the years. I hope this story is a fitting tribute to his memory. Abstract Alison Davis Wood Producer Chris Lukeman Editor Segment Charleston, History, Illinois Culture/History, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings In 1995, Tim and I got word that there was going to be a national convention of Lincoln Presenters in Charleston. We knew this was going to be a great story, but we had no idea what were in for … it is a surreal feeling to be surrounded by men who are all dressed like Abraham Lincoln.  The story was so great that all the media outlets including a crew for CBS’s Sunday Morning were on hand to catch the Lincolns in action. Charleston was a great location for the event since it is the home to Lincoln’s parents’ home and the home of well known Lincoln presenter, B. F. McClerren. The Lincolns were a humorous bunch, constantly telling us to not take any “head shots” when we approached with the camera. But when it came to talking about the President they were dead serious ... no pun intended. The stories they exchanged that day taught me new things about our 16th president and gave me a new respect for these men that truly keep his spirit alive. Abstract Alison Davis Woods Producer Segment Historical Landmarks, Illinois Culture/History, WILL Custom Prairie Fire Subject Headings It was very cold, windy and rainy the day we set out to tape Guy Fraker.  We had planned to shoot in October to capture some fall color ... we weren’t expecting fall rain and snow! As we were loading the van, I debated cancelling the shoot. Meteorologist Mike Sola warned us that conditions could get worse, but Tim and I were willing to give it a try and see what we could get done. I called Mr. Fraker and he was game, so we set out to meet in Clinton. Although the day was miserable, we got some great footage that never gave away how cold it really was. We kept warm with coffee and had Guy stay in his car as much as possible.  It reminded us what Lincoln must have faced as he rode the same trails on horseback. Mr. Fraker was amazing as he braved the wind and rain and spoke spontaneously about Lincoln at each marker. Tim Hartin’s camera angles made each location just a bit more exciting. Sometimes Tim was foiled by our equipment problems, such as a wireless microphone that refused to work. But he always managed to find creative ways to hide the 20+  feet of audio cable that chained Guy to our camera. Virginia Steffen and Julius Bolton were also a big help on these shoots. Virginia had to use some superhuman strength to help hold up the camera on a precarious perch of apple boxes at the Dewitt County/Piatt county Circuit marker. When Julius ran camera, Tim was free to direct Guy at each marker, but Guy really didn’t need much directing. He was a natural, especially when speaking about a subject that he held so dear. Abstract Alison Davis Woods Producer Tim Hartin, Julius Bolton Chief Camera - Segment WILL-TV, University of Illinois Copyright Holder Publisher ¬© 2009 University of Illinois 2007-02-08T20:00:00-06:00 2007-02-08T20:00:00-06:00 video/mp4 http://willmedia.atlas.uiuc.edu/mpeg4/pf2007-02-08.mp4 Moving Image MPEG video MPEG-4 00:28 eng pf2007-02-08.mp4 WILL Public Media, University of Illinois 2007-02-08T20:00:00-06:00 2007-02-08T20:00:00-06:00 video/x-flv http://willmedia.atlas.uiuc.edu/flash/pf2007-02-08.flv Moving Image Flash Video Flash Media 8 00:28 eng pf2007-02-08.flv WILL Public Media, University of Illinois 2007-02-08T20:00:00-06:00 2007-02-08T20:00:00-06:00 video/vnd.rn-realvideo http://willmedia.will.uiuc.edu/ramgen/pf2007-02-08.rv Moving Image 00:28:00