Film shoot to help bring “Extreme Makeover-Home Edition” to Durango set for Sept. 30

Entire community invited to participate in application video “shout-out” on Main Ave.

 

The entire community is invited to participate in the filming of the application video to encourage “Extreme Makeover – Home Edition” to come to Durango and rebuild Annie’s Orphans, the non-profit sanctuary for abandoned, neglected and abused dogs. The shoot is set for Friday, Sept. 30, at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Main Ave. between 10^th and 11^th streets.

            “There’s been tremendous positive energy around this effort,” said Jola Schraub, Annie’s Orphans board member who had the initial idea to nominate Annie’s Orphans for the ABC reality show. “The process includes an application video, and ABC wants to see that the community is supportive of ‘Extreme Makeover’ coming here. That’s how we came up with the idea for the Downtown crowd shout-out.”

            Those interested in participating in the video are asked to begin assembling outside Olde Tymer’s restaurant (10^th St. and Main Ave.) at 7:30 a.m. A La Plata Electric Association bucket truck will be parked at the corner, from which John Trousdale and Rich Fletcher of Animas Media will shoot. The goal, according to Schraub, is to fill the street – even include people on the upstairs decks of the Crossroads building.

The camera will focus first on Durango High School student Matt Simonsen, who will say essentially, “Extreme Makeover, if you come, we will build it.” The camera will pan, and on cue all those in the street will shout, “Please come to Durango.”

Dogs are invited to be a part of the Downtown filming as well, as long as they are friendly and not fearful of large crowds or noise. Downtown streets are scheduled to reopen at 8:30 a.m.

            “This is a great opportunity for Durango to garner national publicity and spur local economic development,” said Indiana Reed, a Durango marketing communications specialist volunteering for the effort. “In addition to helping the dogs at Annie’s Orphans – which since we’re a huge dog community, it comes naturally – if ABC comes to Durango that means building supply/home decorating sales, rooms, food sales, jobs, publicity and more. We have a great story, a great community, and we just need to let ABC understand that. The more people who can come out on Sept. 30, just for that hour, the better our application video will be.”

            The nomination/application process for “Extreme Makeover” is comprehensive, and if selected, the build would not occur until at least the 2012 season of the show. According to Dave Welz, of the Four Corners Film Office, the advance time can be typical of the industry.

            “It would be terrific for the Durango community if ‘Extreme Makeover’ selects Annie’s Orphans for an episode. We’re here to work with the production company, make sure their needs are met and connect them with the local people they’ll need,” said Welz. “The Four Corners Film Office could be instrumental in swaying their decision to come here by offering the producers assistance with the back end, while the community assists in coordinating the volunteers who are a big part of ‘Extreme Makeover.’ This would be great for Durango and Annie’s Orphans.”

Annie’s Orphans, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been serving the dogs of the Four Corners, nursing many back to health and finding them loving homes, since 1985. Annie’s Orphans is overseen by and is in good standing with the U.S.D.A. (the entity responsible for oversight of animal shelters).

            “If you’ve been down to Annie’s Orphans you know that Anna and Bill Anderson put everything they have into care for the dogs before they invest in their home,” said Schraub of the couple that founded the shelter and continues to rescue dogs of all ages and breeds. “Though we were able to adopt out more than 100 rescued dogs last year to great homes, there are always more that need our care, plus those that require sanctuary. If ABC were to come and rebuild the Anderson’s home and the kennels, Annie’s Orphans would be able to serve this community and dogs of the region for generations to come.”

Annie’s Orphans is located on the Anderson’s property in the Sunnyside area of La Plata County. Dogs in need enjoy open air pens, as well as shade and shelter from harsh weather. Volunteers walk and play with the dogs, help in socializing and training when needed, and maintain the grassroots facility.

“We are very grateful for the support of the City of Durango, so many local businesses and community leaders in helping with this ‘Extreme Makeover’ effort,” said Schraub. “If they come, I know we can build it.”

            For further information on the “Extreme Makeover” application video filming, contact Schraub at 970.764.8658. To learn more about Annie’s Orphans, visit www.AnniesK9Orphans.org.

By Indiana Reed