Paper bags can do a lot of things: Hold groceries, provide a safe place for lunch and even serve as the all-important Halloween treat sack. With that list of abilities, can paper bags also act? Ric Viers and Gary Allison think they can.
Viers and Allison are the creative forces behind ‘Paperbag Theatre,? a familiar short film series in the area and now the subject of a television series with Detroit Public Broadcasting.
Where did the idea to film a cast of paper bags come from? Sheer boredom.
‘We were just trying to entertain ourselves and it just happened that kids liked it,? Viers said. ‘The only reason I make ‘Paperbag Theatre? is because no one else will.?
Both having background in television and film production, Viers took the idea he came up with one day and applied it to a series of short films for various organizations and groups throughout the area for different topics.
Word started to spread about the funny mini movies. Bridgewood Church in Clarkston has been a large supporter of the small movies and even local events, such as Ortonville’s ‘September Fest? have requested specific films for their own use in the past.
The American Cancer Society asked the duo to create a short film for Clarkston’s Relay for Life this past summer. Viers and Allison created ‘The Boy Who Faced His Giant,? a film that dealt with the trials of living with cancer, for the event and was shown every half hour that day.
With word continuing to spread, it was time to take the paper bags to the next level.
‘At this point, we thought we needed to take it to someone,? Allison said.
Allison and Viers contacted the Detroit Public Broadcasting Station affiliate in hopes of generating more excitement about ‘Paperbag Theatre.? A tape was submitted and an excited response soon followed. The Detroit PBS station agreed to take on the idea for a 13-episode run as a television program and would provide any support needed to help the show launch.
‘This is a great opportunity for corporate sponsors to get in on the ground floor of the next big show,? Jeff Forster, vice president of production and station enterprises for Detroit PBS, said in a statement. ‘We will be happy to include it in our program schedule.?
The idea for the soon-to-be series focuses in on a group of independent filmmaking ‘pager bags? trying to get raise money for their own movies and eventually sell the scripts. The concept hits close to home for Viers.
‘It’s the story of my life,? Viers said. ‘I am the bags.?
Viers and Allison are currently working on raising money and sponsorships for the series before production begins.
‘We’re lucky to be doing something we love and get paid for,? Allison said. ‘The best part about ‘Paperbag Theatre? is watching it.?