It is not news that those who work at the Atlas Coal Mine have felt the presence of spirits at the national historic site. In fact the stories have become lore in the valley, and without question add to the “haunted” at the annual “Haunted Atlas Coal Mine.
Next fall these stories will be shared nationally on television.
Last week a crew was on site shooting for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) at the Atlas telling some of the paranormal stories the site offers.
Member of he crew Jason Bohn told The Mail, a crew of 10 were at the site working on a series called The Other Side, which is to debut in the fall of 2013. It is a 13 part series, and the Atlas Coal Mine was on of the last sites it is shooting.
He explains the premise. Hosts Jeff Richards and Bill Connelly are two investigators, Connelly is sort of the gadget guy, and Richards is more of an intuitive investigator. They will seek out the presences of the paranormal. Pricilla Wolf, a journalist for APTN is also a character in the show and she acts as an objective observer. Tom Charles, an aboriginal Elder also brings his particular take on each situation.
“We find a story that sort of has a paranormal tie to it and we go in and investigate,” said Bohn. “Jeff and Bill go in and try to make contact with whatever or whoever it is.”
He says in 90 per cent of the cases they are able to find something. They then conduct interviews to learn more about what they are picking up and to corroborate their findings. They follow up and try to make contact again.
Each half hour episode is shot in about three days.
“We have seen a lot of neat stories, made a lot of contacts and had some weird things go on,” said Bohn, adding that most people that work on the show become less and less skeptical of the paranormal.
“Everything we have seen and encounter seems to add more credibility to what we are doing here,” said Bohn.
Darryl Kesslar is director of photography and Rob King is directing the show. They hope to wrap up shooting this month.
Jay Russell of the Atlas Coal Mine is ready for his close up as he interviewed for a APTN Paranormal Series called The Other Side. A crew was at the Atlas shooting last week.
mailphoto by Patrick Kolafa
