The Shield – Riches Beyond Our Rocks (Sudbury History Video) – by Ontario Visual Heritage Project


For part one, go to the TV Ontario website: http://ww3.tvo.org/video/162962/shield-riches-beyond-our-rocks-part-1

For part two, go to the TV Ontario website: http://ww3.tvo.org/video/162677/shield-riches-beyond-our-rocks-part-2

The Ontario Visual Heritage Project presents films that teach, preserve and promote the history of Ontario. http://www.visualheritage.ca./index.html

News Release: Feature Length Documentary on Greater Sudbury History Available NOW!

SUDBURY, Ontario – Dec. 18, 2008 – After the launch of the City of Greater Sudbury installment of the Ontario Visual Heritage Project in July, the DVD of the production is now available through local museums and libraries. Entitled, ‘Riches Beyond Our Rocks; Stories
from Greater Sudbury,’ the DVD features a two-hour documentary film, which explores the intriguing history of the City of Greater Sudbury and its people through interviews with local historians, archival films and photographs, and re-enactments of historical events. The DVD is packed with additional interviews and stories.

In partnership with Sudbury City Museums, ‘Riches Beyond Our Rocks’ has been in the works since July of 2006. This past summer, the project was well received by a full house at its premiere screening in the INCO Cavern in Science North. Since then the project team has been hard at work preparing the film for DVD and distribution into every school, library, and museum in the district – free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and FedNor.

One of the goals of this not-for-profit project is to create multimedia tool kits, which are meant to teach, preserve and promote the history of Ontario to audiences young and old. The documentary is the central component of each project, and is augmented by a website, a course-guide for educators, and an interactive DVD which allows viewers to access stories via a timeline, through their location, or according to their theme.

When discussing the City of Greater Sudbury, project Director Zach Melnick said: “We are thrilled by the amount of volunteer support we’ve received for this project. 30 historians, 55 local actors, and people from across the city have come out to promote and preserve the history of the City of Greater Sudbury. Together we’ve created a project that we hope will spark new relationships and a renewed interest in history.”

Under Melnick’s direction, the Ontario Visual Heritage Project has seen success in seven counties in Southwestern Ontario, including: Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant/Brantford/Six Nations, Elgin, Oxford, Sarnia-Lambton, and Chatham-Kent. The Sudbury project is one of four projects that were launched this summer, including: the Muskoka District, Manitoulin Island, and the West Parry Sound District. All four documentaries will be available in a box set of DVDs entitled “The Shield.” Each of the films includes French subtitles.

One of the perks for community partner organizations, is that they can sell the DVD as fundraising items – ensuring that the history featured in the film is preserved. ‘Riches Beyond Our Rocks’ is available for $20 (plus applicable taxes) at all city museums & libraries.
For additional information on the project, or to view a video trailer of ‘Riches Beyond Our Rocks; Stories from the Greater Sudbury,’ please visit our website at www.visualheritage.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For over 25 years, the Foundation has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community based initiatives. For more information, please visit www.trilliumfoundation.org.

Press Contacts:
Jim Fortin
Curator Greater Sudbury Heritage Museums
705-692-4448
jim.fortin@greatersudbury.ca

Yvonne Drebert
Producer
The Ontario Visual Heritage Project
905-772-1849
Yvonne@pixelduststudios.com