20 years Across Indiana: The Long and Winding Road
A look back at the making of Across Indiana. Includes footage of episodes from the last 20 years and interviews of people that were involved in the show, including:
Todd Gould, Producer, 1990-2002;
Titus Rush, Producer, 1990-1995;
Tim Swartz, Videographer, 1990-2001;
Bob Merritt, Car Enthusiast;
Gary Harrison, Producer, 2000-2006;
Paul Butler, Elvis Impersonator & Elizabeth Butler, "Mrs. Elvis";
"Where Are They Now?, Jeff Oaks;
Tiffany Eggers, Producer, 2000-2007;
Chris Elberfeld, Videographer, 2004-present;
Dan Nelson, Producer, 2000-2002;
"Where Are They Now?, Dave Stoelk;
Jim Simmons, Producer, 2002-present;
Phillip Gully, "Porch Talk";
Aric Hartvig, Producer, 2005-present;
Porch Talk with Philip Gulley;
Chris Elberfeld, Videographer, 2004-present;
Jerry Prince, Videogrpaher, 2007-present;
Sharon Gamble, WFYI 90.1FM "The Art of the Matter";
Tim Swartz, Videographer, 1990-2001;
"Where Are They Now?" Michael Essany;
"Where Are They Now?" Robert and Thelma Glaspie;
Videographers: Chris Elberfeld, Jerry Prince, Vinnie Manganello & Michael Jensen;
Production Assistants: Chris Capper & Kaleb Giddens;
Post Production: Jerry Prince;
Graphics: Leana Kruska;
Editors: Aric Hartvig & Kevin Zimmerman;
Teleprompter: Craig Martindale;
Studio Crew: Pete Kaiser, Director, Angel Carothers, Chris Elberfeld, Frank Konermann, Kaleb Giddens & Brian C. Paul;
Announcer: Mike Fenwick;
Front Desk: Kristy Fozzard;
Michael Atwood, creator of Across Indiana, explains the history and importance of the series twenty years after its start. Across Indiana serves viewers stories of local Hoosiers with fun, interesting, or straight-up wacky stories. It highlights the complexity and heart of the Hoosier state, focusing on the positive, unlike other news organizations. On the anniversary, former and current producers talk about their favorite stories or moments from working on the show.
0:10 Parody warning of upcoming programming
0:25 Series of people from different professions complete the phrase, “This trip across Indiana is made possible by viewers like me and like you.”
0:45 Introduction to programming Across Indiana: 20th Anniversary Show
1:41 Michael Atwood introduces programming
2:50 Producer Todd Gould explains how Across Indiana was the anti-news
3:01 Early producer Titus Rush is introduced
3:55 Chief videographer Tim Swartz talks about the influence of Wild Chicago
4:55 Todd Gould explains how Across Indiana could have a slower pace than hard-hitting news channels
5:08 Producer Gary Harrison emphasizes how the slower pace of Across Indiana allowed viewers time to get to know what people were doing in the state
5:27 Todd Gould explains that Michael Atwood knew this slower pace would work and encouraged the team to stick to the plan
6:10 Gary Harrison talks about the humor of Across Indiana
6:41 Paul Butler, Elvis impersonator, introduced as Across Indiana’s first “bonafide celebrity”
9:23 Recap of story of the only man who drove a cab in Portland, Indiana, Louis Ransom
10:27 Michael Atwood introduces Jeff Oaks, “Where Are They Now?” segment
13:10 Michael Atwood talks about the third most popular feature on Across Indiana, “Lions, Tigers and…Hugs? Oh My!”
13:52 Introduction to ghost stories
14:19 Michael Atwood explains the pain of deadlines and things going wrong while filming
16:53 Producer Dan Nelson explains how Across Indiana always dealt with limited funds
17:34 Dave Stoelk, “Where Are They Now?” segment
*21:28 Dan Nelson explains why he came back to Across Indiana after leaving for The Today Show
22:44 Producer Jim Simmons is introduced
24:08 Philip Gulley recaps a funny moment with Michael Atwood
24:44 Introduction to Producer Aric Hartvig
25:27 Past producers moved on to create noteworthy projects and have lasting careers
26:11 Chris Fry, “Where Are They Now?” segment
28:02 Josh Peyton, “Where Are They Now?” segment
29:36 Producers talk about what it’s like to work with many talented people
31:21 Michael Atwood talks about losing two staff members, Mike Fenwick and J. Robert Cook
33:52 A short segment of the second most popular feature on Across Indiana, “The Geode Man”
34:37 Notable guest interviews on Across Indiana, including Kurt Vonnegut
36:57 Michael Essany, “Where Are They Now?” segment
39:07 Aric Hartvig talks about a serious story with his father on Memorial Day
40:44 Producers talk about how they find stories
*44:25 Michael Atwood introduces segment “History Matters,” serious conversations about Indiana’s history
47:25 Robert and Thelma Glaspie with Dan Patch, “Where Are They Now?” segment
50:26 Music’s presence on Across Indiana
51:03 Amo Jam and Savanna Batan, “Where Are They Now?” segment
52:53 Lucent, “Where Are They Now?” segment
*53:36 Producers talk about why Across Indiana is important to Hoosiers
55:56 The most popular Across Indiana feature, “Ain’t No Cornfield High Enough”
57:01 Michael Atwood closes the anniversary special of Across Indiana
*57:33 Producers talk about why they love and appreciate Across Indiana
58:31 Closing logo
58:35 “All Made Possible By You.”
Website Clips:
Producer Dan Nelson talks about why he came back to Across Indiana after leaving for The Today Show.
IC 21:28 “Well I guess there’s no turning back now, this may or may not be my last Across Indiana story…”
OC 22:43 “...I’m reliving that experience right now.”
Producers explain how Hoosiers start to open up on Across Indiana as producers stand in front of the camera, experiencing life alongside them.
IC - 53:36 “Any time that we would go to a town, you know, across Indiana…”
OC 55:55 “...I’ve met a lot of good people that way.”
Producers talk about how people should live their lives like Across Indiana, considering others around them and the experiences and stories they may have. IC 57:33 “I’ve really enjoyed the experiences I’ve had with Across Indiana…”
OC 58: 30 “...I hope Across Indiana keeps giving people those adventures for years and years to come.”