Rogue Valley Community Television

Born out of a partnership between Southern Oregon Public Television, RVTV, and Southern Oregon University, The Jeffersonian will debut its second episode Friday January 17th, at 9pm on SOPTV channel 8, with reruns airing on RVTV later in the year.

The second episode, “On The Trail” was produced by Southern Oregon University students as part of a class designed to give hands-on experience in the field and in producing, editing, and promoting projects, Students had access to Digital Media Center equipment and the RVTV/DMC studio, as well as frequent feedback from SOPTV and RVTV staff to help the episode’s creation. Photographs used in the production were used courtesy of the Southern Oregon Historical Society, and interviews came from representatives of such groups as the Ashland Woodlands & Trails Association, Ashland Mountain Adventures, the Humboldt Bay Conservation District, the U.S. Forest Service, the SOU Outdoor Program, and a special cameo by SOU’s Jody Waters. The production also partnered with local musicians Eight Dollar Mountain to provide the soundtrack to the show, while the introduction music is courtesy of popular Australian guitar player Tommy Emmanuel.

The show itself focuses on life in the “State of Jefferson,” the fictional state located in parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California, which has been the subject of much discussion lately. The first episode focused on food and food production in the area, while the second episode is all about the history, uses, and preservation of trails. Production of a third episode will begin in the spring, by a new group of SOU students.