Media Network of Waterford is proud to announce the premiere of “Lakeland’s Paradise” Wednesday September 1st 5pm in the Covert Center 1150 Scott Lk RD, Waterford at 5pm.  Admission is free and we will have an encore presentation if needed.  This film was shot on 16mm in the 1960s.  The film follows Jerry and Margaret, a young couple looking to move out of their crowed apartment in a nearby industrial city. They travel to Waterford Township for a comprehensive tour to investigate the merits of the 36 square mile paradise. The film further explains the wonderful features of Waterford Township, such as its many lakes with public access and densely wooded wildlife areas. The film follows the young couple around Waterford Township as they take a plane ride for an aerial view and then to the streets to see the many growing churches, schools and government facilities. “Lakeland’s Paradise” shows many Waterford landmarks forty-four years ago that will make any Waterford resident proud. The film was never finished. Its “rough cut” was viewed in a church parking lot with no sound to several residents shortly after this film was shot.  The film was then put away in a closet to be discovered forty-four years later. Barbara Murphy of Waterford Township discovered the film in 2004.  Her father, H.C. Tinney produced and directed the film along with W.A. Nicholai. She contacted the Media Network of Waterford and asked if this film could be brought back to life.  Joshua D. Bowren, Executive Director for the Media Network digitally re-mastered the 16mm film on to digital videotape. Media Network volunteer Brenda J. McNamara narrated and edited the thirty-four-page script back into the film. For the first time in forty-four years “Lakeland’s Paradise” is complete. The film is now stored on digital tape and DVD so Waterford Residents may pass this film on to future generations. “Lakeland’s Paradise” is a precious time capsule for any Waterford Resident.

 
The film will be premiered at the Media Network of Waterford studio for an audience and then will broadcast on the Public Access Channel WTV 10 through out the rest of the year.  For more information on the premiere and how you can see this film please contact Media Network of Waterford at 248-682-0401 or check back on InWaterford.org for more information.

Resident finds '60s township film reel

Web-posted Aug 17, 2004
By CAROL HOPKINS
Of The Daily Oakland Press

While sorting through a closet last fall, Waterford Township resident Barbara Murphy found a huge reel of 16 mm film in a suitcase.
Her father, H.C. Tinney, had been a film producer and the movie was one of his projects, albeit unfinished.

She told township officials about it, and they contacted Media Network of Waterford to find out what could be done.

The mysterious film turns out to be a nearly hourlong promotion of Waterford from 1960 - complete with tours of the airport, churches, schools, businesses and familiar roads.

"I grew up around here," said the narrator, Brenda McNamara, who is a volunteer at Media Network and an independent video producer. She and other staff transferred the old film onto DVD and videotape, added narration and made the results available to the public. "This is like a lost episode of Waterford history."

The promotional film shows a couple, 20-something characters named Jerry and Margaret, touring Waterford by plane and car. The pair have ventured out to this "Lakeland's Paradise," because they are considering whether to leave their "cramped urban life."

They see plenty - from boaters showing off decorated vessels in a Venetian Festival at Sylvan Lake to police and firefighters rushing to a mock drowning. Much of the township is under construction. The Oakland County courthouse is partially built. Waterford Kettering High School is only a model. Neighborhoods appear to be either all trees or no trees. Many businesses are highlighted, including a concrete step plant.

The pace of the 45-minute film might seem slow to today's channel-surfers, but the "quality is really good," said Joshua Bowren, Media Network's executive director who helped remaster the film. "To make this, they may have had to do three or four months of filming."

Murphy found the film with a massive 34-page typed script. The original author had written so much, McNamara had to record the text, then go back and remove her breaths from the tape to fit the words with the film.

"It was like trying to fit a loaf of bread into a toaster," said Bowren.

Some initial viewers wondered how showing the area tuberculosis sanitarium or a child's near drowning might have lured people to the township.

Because the film was never finished or used as a draw, there is no answer, said McNamara. Bowren said he is glad he was able to get the old film onto a digital format.

"At least this takes us to the next step (of preservation)," he said.

"A lot of longtime residents are really excited about this being available," added Eileen Marshall, chairwoman of Media Network's board, noting there is already a waiting list of buyers.

McNamara said she can't wait for people to see it. "It shows a lot of kids in many scenes," she said. "I know people are going to see themselves or their parents."

Order from:
Media Network
Covert Center
1150 Scott Lake Road
Waterford, Michigan 48328

Just $20.00, add another $5.00 for shipping.
Checks and money orders. 1-248-682-0401