ALLAGASH REGION, Maine — Bryan Severance, with Original Media based in New York, is on the lookout for “authentic” stories of the people and places of northern Maine.
The television program developer has worked on shows that aired on History Channel, Cooking Channel, A&E and Discovery channels.
Severance reached back to his youth for this latest inspiration. When he was younger, he spent 18 days on the Allagash and Penobscot rivers as part of a Camp Kieve program. “I remembered the wildness and beauty of the area,” he said during a recent telephone interview.
“I also remembered the larger-than-life and salt-of-the-earth characters I met.”
Those memories came back to him when he was mulling over ideas for a new program to pitch.
“I want to know more about these people,” he said.
Severance said he has already been in touch with Melford Pelletier of Wallagrass, to whom he refers as a valuable source of information for all things Allagash.
The producer’s initial thoughts were to try and find people living in the Allagash region today, who are perhaps homesteading off the grid or otherwise living “close to the land.”
“I know there is interest in the area and right now I am looking for the people that will best tell it – whatever story that is,” said Severance. “It could be a unique profession, interesting lifestyle, passionate journey etc …”
The show is in development phase at this time and Severance is currently casting for people in northern Maine or along the Allagash Waterway.
Severance said he spent many summers as a child visiting Maine in the summer and still returns nearly every year.
“I would never make a show that portrays Maine in a negative way,” he said.
Those with suggestions for Severance may contact Original Media at Bryan@originalmedia.com or 212-683-3086 x144.
