A series of area showings is slated for the new historical drama, "To Secure this Land."
They won't be a pretentious -- the premiere is slated for 8 p.m. Friday at the Perryopolis Sons of Italy Club.
But the venue goes with the tone of the whole project, a one-hour movie shot with a consumer-grade camcorder by Perryopolis native Ronald L. Potter.
The video is a drama about George Washington's local connection. And its Perryopolis premiere is appropriate, because the production started there more than 30 years ago.
The video is based on a play written by Faith Willson and Jay Christopher in 1973 for the annual Pioneer Days celebration in Perryopolis.
"I didn't want the play to be forgotten," Potter said.
A resident of Coraopolis, he has volunteered for 20 years with Moon Community Television Access, making some award-winning documentaries.
Last spring, Potter decided to create a video version of the play.
He came back to his hometown, advertised for actors and began shooting the script at such locations as Fort Necessity and Washington's Grist Mill in Perryopolis.
He also shot scenes at the Victorian Rose and Bed in Leisenring, because it had a canopy bed that would fit well in George Washington's death scene.
Most of the those in the film are friends of the filmmaker or local volunteers without a lot of experience. But a few, such as Hopwood resident Jack Goodstein, are accomplished actors.
Potter said Jim Koepfinger and Mike Johns, of the community access TV stations, did wonders in editing the footage and adding titles.
"It's the best it can be," Potter said.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged there are enough mistakes in the movie for "a blooper reel."
Potter said he shouldn't have attempted shooting video and directing at the same time. He lamented such errors as a modern car in the background of a scene that is supposed to set in the early 18th century.
Potter's production crew consisted of his wife, the former Patricia Poterfield, of Connellsville, who helped to set up lights and held cue cards.
"We managed to get through it," Potter said. "It was a learning experience."
Although he plans to continue shooting documentaries, Potter said he doesn't think he'll attempt a drama again
The production already is running on Comcast channels in Allegheny County. But Potter promised people in Fayette County that he would show them the video when (and if) it was completed.
Potter has brought the video to local cable outlets for them to consider. In the meantime, he's scheduled a number of showings.
The video will be shown 7 p.m. June 22 at the South Connellsville fire hall; 6 p.m. June 26 at the Monessen Public Library; and 6 p.m. July 17 at the Uniontown Public Library.
There's no addmission fee for any of the showings, including Friday's premiere in Perryopois.
