VISALIA, CA:   An open casting call for a new television show in the South Central Valley will be held on Saturday, March 8, at the Holiday Inn in Visalia, Calif.The show, “Stories of the Supernatural,” which is scheduled to premiere in October, 2008, includes interviews with both experts and guests who have first-hand experiences with supernatural events.  

The open casting call, scheduled for 1:00-5:00 p.m., is an attempt to secure a host and cast members for the show, according to Peter Cannon, executive producer of the show, and owner of Genesis Video Productions, of Visalia.  “We will have a host who will introduce each segment, and also a focus group of six people, all ages 18-34, who will be comment on the segments presented on the show,” Cannon said. 

"These are all paid positions." Cannon said he is looking for cast members who are “energetic, with a great on-camera look and personality, and who are highly opinionated regarding supernatural events,” he said.  “We are looking both for believers in the supernatural, whether by religious background or not, and also a few skeptics for some lively, controversial discussion.”Some of the subjects scheduled to be covered in the show include ghosts, angels, demons, exorcism, the occult, miracles, dreams, visions, myths and legends.  Cannon notes that even though the show will discuss subjects such as the occult, he personally is making every attempt to present a balanced viewpoint.

“Sometimes, subjects such as the occult and Halloween are considered to be harmless and fun,” Cannon said.  “However, some of the guests and experts we have interviewed have a different viewpoint on that, along with some rather frightening first-hand experiences to share.”

One of the experts interviewed so far is Bob Larson, author of over 30 books, who travels worldwide to conduct exorcisms.  Cannon notes that “Bob Larson is one of the leading experts on the supernatural, and we were delighted to be able to interview him and videotape him doing an exorcism.”  Cannon realizes that “this is a controversial subject, even for a lot of churches, but I believe it’s a story that needs to be told.”

The idea for a show on the supernatural grew out of Cannon’s desire to address this subject in a more accurate fashion, than as is currently portrayed in films and television.  Cannon observes that “so many films and TV shows portray crimes committed by supernatural-type characters or creatures, but don’t really get to the root cause of why these events happen.”

“The experts and guests interviewed on “Stories of the Supernatural” will be telling their own, first-hand stories about what really happened to them, without some Hollywood writer dreaming up some dramatic, grotesque details being included to supposedly spice the story up,” Cannon said.  “These real-life stories we are showing, are more than interesting and dramatic enough as is.” Cannon said each guest’s story will be dramatized using either hired actors, other footage or both.  “The show will be much more than a talking head,” he said.  “What you will see will have the look and feel of a dramatic, sometimes intense film.” 

Negotiations are currently underway to book “Stories of the Supernatural” for airtime on television in the Fresno-Visalia market for its scheduled October, 2008 debut, Cannon said.  In the meantime, future viewers can get a sneak peek at the trailer at www.storiesofthesupernatural.com .  The website also has details of a film segment contest open to local video producers.

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