Maple Makers? Could it be the next Swamp People?

[Rossell's Sugar Camp]

Who else thinks that the history channel could make a show about maple syrup production. It would definently be interesting to us but would the general public take to it?
What would you call it?
Maple Makers?
Anybody got any ideas?

Lets Petition the history channel to get this show on the road!:lol:

[heus]

I think it would create a negative perception of our industry, just like axe men does with loggers. These shows aren't designed to educate the public about an industry, their goal is to create tension and false excitement for ratings.

[spud]

I think they would portray us the same way they portray the moonshine people. There's no way I'm getting in on that hillbilly redneck stuff. I remember Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs went to a sugar house and made a joke out of everything. The show was so boring that I almost feel asleep.

Spud

[Thad Blaisdell]

They would pick different sugarmakers .... the ones that would want to be on it would be the same ones that want to use old rusty oil tanks to gather sap, or use tanks that held Round up. It would hurt us in the long run. Second they would not do it anyway, there is no real danger of getting hurt. Look how on swamp people the footage of when they catch a gator, they make it look like they are going to get bit every time. Not sure how they are going to make this show very thrilling.

[red maples]

Could be good as long as mike Rowe doesn't do it....nothing against him I love his naration and shows but after his bit on dirty jobs.....welll...maybe just as narator then. they could show us shooting squirrels??

[maple flats]

I argee, bad idea. Every such show, from Axe Men, Ice Road Truckers, Swamp people and such all show scenes that would make their insurance carriers cancel the policy. I don't ever see one being done in a way that would help the industry. I their effort to have excitement, they find the worst examples of the industry they are covering.

[FDA]

Really... as you say that there is a guy on here in front of a worldwide audience selling a " canner " made from a garbage can.

[Bucket Head]

Yes, I saw that add also- good point. However, and fortunately, the "worldwide audience" of the Mapletrader is many, many, many millions shy of the television audience. Chances are good that another 'documentary' on sugaring would not benefit us very much. I did not see the M. Rowe show, but I was asked A TON of ridiculous, off the wall questions after the airing. None of us need to go through that again.

Steve

[maple flats]

I did see the Mike Rowe piece. I'll bet it turned a few consumers to the fake stuff. Had I not known better, I might have been turned away. I think the producers of such films want sensationalism, thus they find guys who don't do things in any approved method by any recognized authority.

[BMoore]

I would have to disagree, I think that their would be potential for a show here. There has been shows made about a lot less. Duck Calls? I'm just starting in the field of video production, but it comes down to stories and characters. If you have good characters you can make a good story. This has been a potential project idea of mine for sometime combining my passion for making syrup and working in television. Obviously TV is always looking for character conflicts between people struggling, but lets face it, when you spend all day in the woods alone most the time, how much conflict is there. But lets look at our past couple season, what has the biggest conflict been? Weather...Two years ago my farm had one of our best production years as many of you also did. Last year we were all hurting. This is a constant conflict in every year. Think over your past year, how many times did you have to chase vacuum leaks, fix a broken pump, catch your pan on, or deal with some sort of related production issues.

These are situations that would make a good show. Regardless if people are actual interested in syrup. How many people do you really think were interested in logging/trucking/duck calls/ and gators from major cities? Its more about what happens in and around those jobs.

I live in NH with 8000 taps, there are a handful of other producers on my same road that tap around a similar # of taps. There is a unspoke competition between us as to who makes the most, taps the most, and provides the best experience (Maple Weekend). Simple competition like this could set up a great show.

A few of you have mentioned if it would be good for the industry or not? I'd have to say that it would be. American loggers and Axmen didn't have any products to sell to a normal customer. Same thing with ice road truckers. However i almost guarantee their has been increased sales in shows like pawn stars, the duck call shows and others that can offer a consumer product.

Just the promotion of Maple weekend at that level of television would boost all sales.

[OneLegJohn]

I kind of agree with BMoore. Competition creates drama. Family "situations" - or fights - create drama. How about all of the PA maple producers living near the NY border cashing their oil/gas checks? They buy shiny new evaporators and add capacity while across the valley, NY producers can just watch. There's your drama.

[SDdave]

I would have to say no as well. All the mentioned shows have somebody (usually the comic relief) several hundreds of miles away from the main group doing the show's topic. I just can't succumb to that idea yet...:o

SDdave

[happy thoughts]

Who else thinks that the history channel could make a show about maple syrup production. It would definently be interesting to us but would the general public take to it?
What would you call it?
Maple Makers?
Anybody got any ideas?

Lets Petition the history channel to get this show on the road!:lol:

Well, you could call it "Here comes Maple BooBoo"

I'm with most of the others. Reality TV shows like that don't always put people in the best light and it could create a negative image of the industry. I doubt Swamp People has done much for Alligator meat sales. And the more exciting parts of sugaring, the tastes and smells, won't come through on the small screen. Better to aim for a tastefully done Ken Burns documentary on PBS:)

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

after i get my tank in the jeep along with intake hoses, discharge hoses, sap pump and rifle I dont think there would be any where for the camera guy to sit:lol:

[Bucket Head]

Thats just as well. We don't want millions of viewers assuming we tap the trees with a rifle instead of a drill! Then we'd have both the tree huggers and the gun control folks all over us.

Seriously, a well done, true documentary would be great. One with just the facts and no 'comic relief' mixed in would be something I'd enjoy watching. However, you won't see something like that on modern television.

Steve

[Thad Blaisdell]

5/16 vs. 30 cal..... I like the ring to that I want to order some 30 caliber pipe please. Or is that what leader already sells, 30p...... hmmmmm

[SevenCreeksSap]

Not sure about a show, though my wife also had the same idea last year, something about filming her falling down the hill while helping me string mainline.

Although I have thought about carrying a .22 pistol to shoot squirrels, I am curious about why Flatlander has a rifle in the sap wagon. Is Poultney a high crime gangand? are the Canadians coming over the border to steal sap at night? are you trying to scare the poor cameramen and give them nightmares of transplanted Arizonans covered in sticky goo and smelling of woodsmoke?

[mike z]

You would need to have some young southern blonde in cutoff jean shorts collecting sap. I haven't seen one yet up here in Northern Wisconsin. But I heard tell...

[farmall h]

The American Logger show featuring the Pelletier family of Maine was probably the only "positive" show reflecting an industry. Setting the orchard up and tapping is probably the most "active" part of the whole process. Boiling on the other hand is kinda like "watching grass grow". Thad has a good point.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Not sure about a show, though my wife also had the same idea last year, something about filming her falling down the hill while helping me string mainline.

Although I have thought about carrying a .22 pistol to shoot squirrels, I am curious about why Flatlander has a rifle in the sap wagon. Is Poultney a high crime gangand? are the Canadians coming over the border to steal sap at night? are you trying to scare the poor cameramen and give them nightmares of transplanted Arizonans covered in sticky goo and smelling of woodsmoke?
I never go in the woods with out something, and I figure people who see me up in woods with rifle over shoulder running lines and all they will leave my stuff alone.

[5 Oaks]

1. If you wanna make a movie.....get a hold of some local high school kids. They are always looking for a project. They will make you look professional.
2. I have my 9mm on my side about 15 hours a day. People look at me funny when they pull in the drive and see me armed, protecting 45 gallons of sap.
I am a nice guy.......really.