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Story Subject Category: Photography
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Paul Idleman by Alison Davis Wood
Paul Idleman was a man who lived many lives during his short time with us. I first met Paul when he had recently taken the job as director of the Champaign County Historical Museum. Many times over the years he provided props and shooting locations for productions at WILL including “Gold Star Mothers: Pilgrimage of Remembrance” and “10 Sisters: A True Story.” As I got to know Paul, he shared some amazing stories from his years in Colorado. He had published a comedy newspaper and one of his writers was Roseanne Barr. One time he even assigned Roseanne to do an interview with then “almost famous” comedian Jay Leno. Paul was also a big music fan. Every year he would burn CDs for his friends that included his favorite songs. He used his graphic design talents to create hysterical covers for these treasured gifts. Paul’s love of music had led him to a career as a rock and roll photographer. He approached a Colorado radio station about publishing a newspaper for them and suggested he get photos of local concerts to include in the publication. The radio station bit and he had a backstage pass. Over the years he braved the crowds to get shots of The Who, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Ray Vaughn. But over the years he took other jobs and the photos were hidden away in boxes. Thankfully after he moved back to his hometown of Champaign, Carolyn Baxley of the Cinema Gallery in Urbana persuaded Paul to dig through his collection. The result was a showing of his work at the Gallery and an opening reception that drew friends from as far away as Colorado. Luckily, many got the chance to experience the talent of this wonderful man. He will be missed.
Segment duration: 09:12
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Cinema/Theaters/Film • Music • Photography
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Paul Idleman spent decades capturing on film stars like Bruce Springsteen (left), The Who, and Paul McCartney. This segment introduces viewers to the amazing celebrity photographs Idleman took as a concert photographer. He describes how he started by sneaking cameras into concerts, but eventually got hired to snap pictures of performances.
Segment duration: 09:12
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Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Chief Camera - Segment: Julius Bolton
This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/Culture • Music • Photography
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Host Alison Davis takes a last look at the Vermilion River Observatory south of Danville, where University of Illinois scientists charted thousands of new galaxies with a pair of radio telescopes from 1958-1980. The observatory site was carved into a valley by U of I professors and students. Abandoned as technology changed and vandals took their toll on equipment, the observatory will soon be dismantled. To return the site to a natural setting, the U of I plans to remove a 120-foot-wide telescope, which looms like a flying saucer above the trees.
Segment duration: 06:52
Producer: Alison Davis
This segment is filed in these categories: Historical Landmarks • Photography • Science/Nature
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Prairie Fire introduces viewers to Raymond Bial, a local photographer who travels to small towns, capturing the people and their stories. Bial talks about his book of photographs, “Stopping By,” and reflects on the disappearance of many small towns in central Illinois.
Segment duration: 08:31
Producer: Jeff Cunningham
This segment is filed in these categories: Landscape • Photography
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