page 6
daily nebraskan
monday, january 19, 1981
Local company films people in unique occupations
By Carl Sjulin
For students ambitious enough to be up at 6:55 a.m.,
there is a short television magazine during Channel 7's
"Good Morning America," produced by a company right
here in Lincoln.
Smeloff Teleproductions, 2637 0 St., is the company
responsible for this show known as "The American Trail."
It may be familiar to those who remember when it was
called "The Nebraska Trail" some five years ago. It was
carried only by Channel 10 in Lincoln, but it has since
gone national. Don Jacks, host of the show, talked about
the astronomical growth of the production.
"We started out doing commercials for local firms and
a variety of video-taping for area companies," Jacks said.
"After two years of local work on "The Nebraska
Trail," we decided to expand and began filming through
out the Midwest and eventually the entire United States,"
he said.
"The American Trail" is a VA minute video short story
that deals with a kaleidoscope of human-interest topics. It
is similar in style to prime time's "Real People," and has
been on the air three years longer. As one watches, a
distinct parallel can be drawn to a scaled-down version of
Charles Kuralt's "On The Road" travels.
Staff search
Smeloff Teleproductions has a staff that follows news
papers, mayor reports, television and radio information to
sort through the myriad of possible leads to an interesting
story.
When they find one that shows promise, they take it to
their sponsor. Upon his approval, Don Jacks and his tech
nical crew take off after the story.
A typical show begins by identifying a person and the
unique job or hobby of interest to the audience. "The
American Trail" centers around people in their natural
environment who tell about their lives and how they got
interested in particular occupations.
"During our shows, we try to let the person tell his
own story," Jacks said.
"Our stories range from a black woman who is an air
traffic controller in Brooklyn to an old couple who sells
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Don Jacks
Photo by Mitch Hrdlicka
ice cream in Arizona. Our camera films them in their
habitat, giving the viewer an intense feeling of actually
being there," he said.
This sense of "naturalness" is evident, and Jacks' easy
going narration adds a personal touch to the episodes as
he searches for the inner drive that has spawned these
unusual jobs.
Still growing
The series is still growing. Smeloff Teleproductions re
cently started a 30-minute show that premiered Jan. 9 on
Channel 10. These half-hour shows eventually will become
part of their national syndication and Jacks hopes they
may soon become weekly.
"We hope these 30-minute productions will evolve into
a regular weekly series. It requires four or five episodes for
the half-hour segment, so we will have to be on the road
even longer," Jacks said.
"The American Trail" is carried by 73 stations in 23
states including Channel 7 in Ornalia and Channel 10 in
Lincoln. The show runs Monday through Friday and is
sponsored by agri-business companies like Farmland and
Agway.
"The American Trail" will be showed in March at the
National Conference of TV Programmers in New York.
Jacks said that with a little luck, the show might become a
nationwide syndication.
"Most people think shows they see on TV come from
the coasts, but when you see "The American Trail," you
can say it was produced right here in Lincoln." Jacks said.
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Dinner-dance is planned
The Lincoln Community Playhouse
Guild will present "The Glamour Years," a
fund-raising dinner-dance Feb. 14 at the
NBC Center.
It features a 6 p.m. social hour followed
by dinner at 7 and a special appearance by
the Playhouse Cabaret. Dancing to "Kick
in Bird " an Omaha dance band, begins at
8:30.
Linda Herman, event chairman, said
tickets, which are $25 per person, are 85
percent tax deductable and can be obtain
ed by contacting Buffie Smith at 435
3080. Donations are also welcome.
The reservation deadline is Feb. 12. No
tickets will be sold at the door.
The dinner table centerpieces, which are
for sale, will be displayed at the Lincoln
Community Playhouse.
Additional information can be obtained
by calling the Playhouse at 489-9609.
Herman said this event is the first of its
kind sponsored by the Playhouse Guild.
Penny Bradley is assistant chairman for the
event and Ginny Hand is president of the
Lincoln Community Playhouse Guild.
Terry Faulkner is president of the LCP
Board of Directors.
take one
THE MALTESE FALCON
January 22
DINNER AT 8
February 5
7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS
February 19
MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN
March 5
WHAT'S UP, TIGER LILLY
March 19
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
April 9
The American Film Classics Sena
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Series tickets are
on sale at the Nebraska
Union South Desk;
S6.00for UNL students
S9.00 general
Films arc shown at
the Sheldon Film
Theatre, 12th & R Sts.
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