Lisa Louise Cooke
Ken Marks
Episode 22: Legend Seekers: Behind the Scenes of TV Show About Your Family History
In this episode I have a special treat for you. A bit of inspiration to get keep you motivated in your quest for your family’s history. A brand new television series is hitting the airwaves this month called Legend Seekers and the executive producer Ken Marks is joining us here on the show to share his vision for the series and the role that you can play in bringing it to television. Legend Seekers is unique in that the family history stories they research and bring to life are stories from you, the viewing audience. Not movie stars or rock stars, but every day folks like you who have some very extraordinary stories in their family tree. In segment Ken talks about the pilot episode about the Lively Family Massacre in Illinois, and how he went about helping the TV execs understand the mass appeal of the show.
In our second segment Ken talks about the genealogical serendipity that he has his crew found themselves tapping into throughout the production of the pilot episode, and where he envisions the ideas for future episodes to come from.
So sit back and enjoy this sneak peek at the behind the scenes world of TV, and listen close because you’re going to find out how you can become involved in this ground breaking series.
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Transcript
Here are your action items for this week:
1. Click on the link for the PBS Station Finder search in the right hand column on this page. Enter your zip code to find the PBS station nearest you. Then give them a call or send them an email to the Program Manager and let them know that you would like to see the NETA recommended show "Legend Seekers" shown in your area.
2. Listen to the upcoming Genealogy Gems Podcast episode #62 which features the final part of my conversation with Ken Marks about the brand new companion website that is being launched this week at legendseekers.com There you can register for free as a user and submit your family history legends and stories. It’s a fascinating interactive website that you are definitely going to want to be a part of.
3. Let me know what you think about the Legend Seekers show and website. Email me at genealogymadeeasy@gmail.com. Did you take action and contact your local PBS station to be part of the grass roots effort to bring the show to channels across the country? Are you interested in watching a show about the family legends of folks just like you? And I’d love to know if you end up submitting your own family legend? Remember, this is a sight where visitors will vote on the stories they want to see. So I’d love to hear if you decide to get involved and I’ll be sure to let all the listeners know.
