The Western New York Public Broadcasting Association (WNED-TV) and the Central Canadian Public Television Association (CCPTA) are proud to present Our Town: Oshawa. This one-hour primetime television special will explore Oshawa through the cameras of the folks who know it best—the people who live and work here!
The City of Oshawa is deeply connected to the amazing story of Canada. So much of what Canada stands for in the world, including the political, cultural and economic forces that shape our collective identity, has roots in this community.
From the origins of the Canadian auto sector, to now standing as one of Canada’s leading training and academic leadership and innovation hubs; Oshawa is poised for today and tomorrow.
What started as the Wendat settlement in the 1400s near the Harmony Creek has now become a city with a population of over 166,000 and the largest municipality in Durham Region. Rich in arts and cultural assets, Oshawa has more than 500 cultural businesses, events and festivals.
The WNED-TV (PBS) Our Town: Oshawa documentary initiative will bring an unprecedented binational profile, attract new economic development interest and engage the city and its people in a powerful way, as we all work together to set the stage for the Oshawa of today and tomorrow.
We encourage residents to promote the Our Town: Oshawa project on social media. You can follow Durham Region’s social media channels and use the #OshawaProud hashtag.
Get involved in the production of Our Town: Oshawa
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Project Summary |
Scheduled for broadcast on WNED-TV, this is the 19th in this series of programs featuring life within the communities of western New York and southern Ontario.
Under the leadership of WNED professionals, volunteers have a chance to showcase their town through the eyes of a local. Exploring the neighbourhoods, ducking into cafés and listening to a community band, viewers are treated to the many personalities, perspectives and possibilities that Oshawa has to offer. Attending events and celebrations, the town’s stories and secrets are unlocked before the viewer’s eyes. The resulting footage is brought back to the WNED studios to be edited into a one-hour production that will be broadcast on WNED-TV to more than 1.3 million homes across western New York and southern Ontario. Prior to the broadcast premiere, a community screening of the program will be hosted locally. This will be an opportunity for residents to see their community and neighbours on TV and to share their unique story with the entire region. |
| How to get involved |
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The Region of Durham is supporting the community and project partners by promoting this opportunity. WNED needs 20 to 25 participants/volunteers with access to a video camera and enthusiasm for sharing stories of the community.There are no restrictions as to age or experience and there is no cost or compensation to participate. Please see the production process below for detailed information. Visit wned.org/ourtown to register as a participant and find out more about this exciting project. |
| Production Process |
Pre-productionPrior to production, WNED will facilitate community meetings with interested parties. Volunteers are required to attend one of these meetings. During the meetings, participants will learn about the production process, join in a technical workshop and spend time brainstorming the subjects and locations for the program. The volunteers then vote to narrow down the list of topics until they each select one to cover. WNED also establishes community partnerships to assist in launching the project, identifying potential funders and connecting with potential promotional partners. ProductionWhen the production starts, two to three weeks are allocated for filming. While WNED producers are available during this time for guidance, technical advice and support it is the community volunteers that determine the scope and focus of their story.
WNED returns to the area with a camera crew and spends two days recording individual interviews with the volunteers. Post ProductionWNED’s production team spends four to six weeks sorting through all of the footage and edits together each two and a half to four-minute story by combining the interviews, music and video captured by the volunteers. |
| Screenings and Broadcast |
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First, a premiere screening is held for the volunteers, program funders, and community and production partners then the program is broadcast on WNED-TV and made available for online streaming. A page for the program is added to wned.org and edited portions are featured on social media. |
| Media and Important Dates |
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Check here for updates on media releases and important dates regarding the Our Town: Oshawa project. |
| About Western New York Public Broadcasting Association |
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The Western New York Public Broadcasting Association (WNED-TV) is a trusted binational public media resource that develops and produces original television content for local and national broadcast. Providing educational and entertaining programs to 3.1 million households across western New York, WNED-TV is fully committed to serving the southern Ontario region with quality programming and services. WNED maintains offices and studios in downtown Toronto, collaborating with the Central Canadian Public Television Association (CCPTA) to secure production support for a variety of Canadian projects.
For more information on this project, please contact: Christy May Our Town Oshawa Producer
Eileen Kennedy, Film Durham 905-668-7711 ext. 2617 |
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