Jim Majka, of Fort Kent Video, to create documentary highlighting Fort Kent, Presque Isle events
By MaryMargaret Portera
MSSM Intern
In the first two weeks of February, Presque Isle and Fort Kent will be hosting the World Cup Biathlon. Those who cannot make it to the event are in luck, however, because Jim Majka of Fort Kent Video and Photography is taking on the great challenge of creating two documentaries — one of the events taking place in Fort Kent, and one for the events taking place in Presque Isle. These videos will not only include the excitement of World Cup itself, but will also cover every part of the biathlon event.
“The thing I want to do most is tell a story of how this was pulled off, and to do that, we have to start at the very beginning,” Majka said.
Majka is currently capturing pictures and film of the preparation of the stadiums themselves, so he will be able to show how much work the volunteer and staff have to do to prepare for such a fantastic event.
The documentary will include interviews with athletes and crew members participating in the biathlon, and will show exactly what happens from the time they step off the plane at the airport to the time the competition is done.
The documentary is not the only thing Majka’s company has done for the event, either. They have also prepared short cultural videos that will be shown at the venue during the event.
Local businesses have also decided to get involved in the making of these videos. Savings Bank of Maine is sponsoring both videos, and Valley Auto in Fort Kent and GEI Computer Services have made a contribution as well. Majka is currently trying to gather more sponsors, to make the video as exciting as possible, and gather as much material for the video as they can.
Majka did a video on Fort Kent’s first World Cup Biathlon in 2004, but was only able to get an “outsider’s” view. He expects these videos will be even more successful than those made in 2004, since he will be able to gather so much more information on the subject and allow viewers to see things from the biathletes’ perspective. Majka said he expects it to be of such a quality that it will someday be considered a “collector’s item,” and hopefully something to be passed down through generations of local families. He expects the final products will be at least two hours long.
The videos are expected to be completed and ready to be sold by the end of March. For more information on how to get a copy, visit the company’s website at fortkentvideo.com/biathlon.htm.
MaryMargaret Portera of Limestone is a junior at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. She served an internship at the Aroostook Republican & News in Caribou during her recent J-term.
