Parks & Tourism Filming at Traildog Vista – June 4, 2013
On Tuesday, June 4, the Traildogs hosted a film crew representing the Arkansas Parks & Tourism Commission for a visit to the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT). The Womble Office of the USFS and local Traildogs Al Gathright and Jerry Shields provided logistical support to the seven person crew, leading them up onto Bear Mountain.
The crew was lead by Director Chris Cranford, supported by Lyle Arnett and Gary Jones. Chuck Haralson served as the still photographer. Parks & Tourism travel writer Zoie Clift and actors Ben Stone & Alyssa Journey provided the biking and hiking action shots.
The new Traildog Vista is located about six trail miles east of the Crystal Springs Recreation Area on Lake Ouachita. This new vista is located at the highest point of the trail as it traverses the north slope of Bear Mountain. The slope of the mountain drops sharply away from the rock outcropping that forms the vista, providing a sweeping view of the islands and blue waters of this beautiful lake.
The crew‘s objective was to film scenes of mountain bikers and hikers utilizing the Trail in and around the vista. The film segments and still photographs will become part of a database of Arkansas’ most interesting and scenic areas. These film and photograph segments will be utilized in written publications, television infomercials and promotional films.
Cloudy conditions gave way to sunshine by early afternoon, allowing the crew to create a number of film segments with the actors portraying mountain bikers/hikers on the trail. This is another example of Parks & Tourism working with local officials to provide publicity to support increasing tourism revenues to our area.
Jerry