Casting agents from a multimedia firm headed by “Today” show weatherman Al Roker are coming to Maine in search of lobstermen and lobsterwomen to star in a potential new reality series.
Al Roker Entertainment, based out of New York, has put out a casting call “seeking tough, active lobstermen” from Maine who are either part of a “family who’s been fishing for generations” or are “a new, hard-nosed skipper striking out on your own,” according to an issued announcement.
As Jason Watt, an executive producer and owner of Watt Pictures and a partner with Al Roker Entertainment, told the Bangor Daily News, a “pitch package” is in the works for the proposed series and early talks with networks that could possibly pick up the show are already underway. Watt and company consider lobster fishing to be an “untold part of the American story,” one that the media group is eager to share.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to dig in and start telling it,” Watt said to the BDN.
The History Channel, Discovery Channel and A&E are all networks that Al Roker Entertainment would consider as partners for the series, which could provide a major boost to tourism in the Pine Tree State.
“In past projects I have been involved in that are profiling a subject such as this, it makes the people viewing it want to meet the characters and go to the places they have seen in the program,” said Vaughn Stinson, chief executive officer of the Maine Tourism Association and member of the board of directors for the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, as reported by the BDN.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association has distributed materials about the casting call. Among other things, the series creators are looking for “adventurous, tough, capable” fishers with “personalities with a strong look and attitude.”
While other shows have focused on lobster fishing before, this developing series won't focus on federal waters, which has been the trend, said Watt. Initial responses to the casting call have boded well, Watt confirmed for the BDN: “We’ve talked to dozens of people so far,” he said.
All interested lobster fishers in Maine should contact [email protected] and describe themselves and why they would be ideal for the show. Pictures are also requested.
