TV Worth Blogging
by David Thiel, Program Director for WILL-TV
An insider's view of public television programming and the issues that help determine what and how you watch
Hangin' With Mr. Lincoln
I'm very enthusiastic about tonight's WILL-TV premiere of Lincoln: Prelude to the Presidency.
Oh, sure, I think that producers Alison Davis Wood and Tim Hartin did a great job on the documentary, and I personally learned a lot about the early career of the man who became our 16th President. But if I'm perhaps a bit too excited about it, it's because that's me on that horse!
As one of the hammier members of the WILL staff, I was thrilled to be asked by Alison and Tim to appear as one of Abraham Lincoln's fellow lawyers on Illinois' Eighth Judicial Circuit during the historical recreation sequences. And one of the first things I had to do was learn to ride a horse. Thankfully, I had a lot of help from the patient horse wranglers (not to mention a patient horse) and, after a few hours, I could at least manage to appear not entirely uncomfortable.
It was a great deal of fun to participate in the production, which took place in various historic sites throughout Central Illinois. We had a terrific Lincoln performer, Joe Woodard, who specializes in portraying the President "before the beard." (Only in Illinois can one make money as a specialty Lincoln!) In addition, several of the sequences involved dozens of actors and extras decked out in period clothing. There were camera dollies, grips and all of the things one typically expects to find on a movie shoot. When fresh out of college I spent a year in Hollywood, and what I saw last year during the production of Prelude to the Presidency looked very familiar.
I realize that you won't likely be watching the show for the same reasons as I, but I think you'll find it worth your time. And keep an eye out for that beardy, bald lawyer in the background. I think he could become a star!
Shoot, I just stopped in one morning to see how a film was made. Had heard it was going on in the courthouse, and we were encouraged to stop in a have a look (stay out of the way!!)
Tim and Allison spotted me and asked if I was free that day and that is how I became a judge in the slave trial in the documentary.
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