An unlikely location will serve as the backdrop for one episode in a new Discovery Channel TV series set to film on Martha’s Vineyard next month.
At their meeting Wednesday, the West Tisbury selectmen heard the cable network’s plan to film for about an hour inside the recycling shed at the West Tisbury landfill, also called the Dumptique.
Television producers Travis Dowell and Kevin Warnecke told selectmen their docu-series will include six episodes total, all shot on the Vineyard, with one episode shot at the Dumptique. The new show is tentatively called Big Swords and will spotlight Michael Craughwell, an Island artist and welder who brings fantasy swords from video games and animation to life by creating tangible replicas. Mr. Craughwell will make two swords in each episode, the producers said.
Mr. Dowell told selectmen many of the details have not been finalized and his crew is not working with a Hollywood budget. “We will have three vans . . . we are not a movie crew,” he added.
“Sounds like fun,” said board chairman Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter 3rd.
But even though selectmen reacted positively, town administrator Jennifer Rand urged them to hold off on signing an agreement until town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport looked it over first. Ms. Rand said there were some things she didn’t like about the agreement, although she did not detail the concerns.
Mr. Dowell said it would be no problem for their legal counsel to amend the agreement if town counsel has any concerns.
Unlike other towns on the Island, Ms. Rand said the issue was brought before the selectmen because West Tisbury does not issue film permits unless selectmen decide otherwise.
In the end, selectmen unanimously agreed to allow the filming, pending approval of a written agreement by town counsel.
Mr. Dowell told the Gazette the series has no official date yet for airing, but it will most likely be at the end of the year.
In other business, selectmen voted to promote police detective James Neville to the rank of sergeant on the recommendation of police chief Daniel Rossi. Mr. Neville has worked in law enforcement for 19 years and has been on the force in West Tisbury for six years. “We look forward to having James as part of our command staff,” Chief Rossi said. Mr. Manter, a police sergeant on the force, abstained.
Also, officer Matthew Gebo has been assigned as the department’s new detective, the chief told selectmen. Mr. Gebo has been a full-time West Tisbury police officer since 2010.
“Congratulations and good luck,” selectman Richard Knabel said.
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