New Show, New Faces

In the fourth segment of the most recent episode, Ariane Daniel, Enzo Cataldo, and Lyuba Regelman discuss their personal experiences with moving to this country and working at MVES.

The glamour of television. Fame, personal assistants, progressive technology. It’s hard not to envy the success of today’s best television shows. What’s even harder? Trying to produce your own successful show!

Although the red carpet was inconspicuously absent, MVES recently released its fourth episode of A Community of Elders. The quarterly program highlights services, resources, and important information for elders in the communities of Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield. With its talk-show format, A Community of Elders is produced completely by staff and volunteers of MVES—none of whom have had professional experience in creating television programs.

“The crew all started together about a year ago,” said Sean Maney, director of marketing and public relations at MVES and director of the show. “We’ve learned a lot in that time and through hard work and determination, I think we’re creating informative, quality programming.”

Despite there being no fame or personal assistants, MVES uses the capabilities at hand and runs with them. The half-hour program is carefully planned, guests are confirmed, and studio and field shots are scheduled. MVES shoots the studio segments at Malden Public Access and the field shots can be anywhere from a senior dining site to a client’s home. Once all the footage is shot, the lengthy process of editing hours of content to a tight half-hour show begins. When the final product is ready, the program is distributed on tape or DVD to area public access stations.

The latest Community of Elders has segments on arthritis, consumer-directed care, the diversity of staff at MVES, and an interview with a Gap Fund donor. Hosted by Christine Falzarano of Everett, the show offers practical information for area elders and those who care for elders.

“This was the first show that I helped with,” said Michele DerVartanian, elder care advisor at MVES and camerawoman on the set. “It’s rewarding to be part of creating something that is a resource for so many elders.”

The show is available for cable subscribers in the eight communities that MVES serves. Please consult your local program listings for times. To see clips of the show, click here.

Suggestions for the next Community of Elders are always welcome. Please contact Sean Maney by e-mail or by calling 781-324-7705.