Duane Hicks
A new program for Discovery Channel will be filmed in and around the Straw Lake mine area over the next couple of months.
Production for “Fool’s Gold,” an eight-part series, is to start this month.
The human interest comedy series features the company, Shotgun Exploration, whose owner has claims in the Yukon and the Straw Lake site.
When the producers met the Shotgun Exploration team, there was little doubt this crew’s endeavour would be a perfect addition to Discovery’s gold-themed programming lineup, said spokesperson Jodi Cook.
“We are tentatively looking at spring, 2014 for broadcast on Discovery,” she noted.
“Of course, given that the crew is following Todd’s gold-seeking mission with his Shotgun Exploration mining team, and all of their adventures in pursuit of gold, the final shape of the series will firm up after the site exploration [and filming] is complete,” Cook added.
Broadly speaking, the premise follows the “do-it-themselves mining company” looking to strike it rich in the hills of Northern Ontario, said Cook.
“The only problem? They’ve never done this before!” she remarked.
“Guided by their fearless leader, Todd, the crew at Shotgun Exploration is braving the elements in hopes of uncovering the mother lode and retiring in style.
“First, though, they’ll have to figure out what to do and how to do it because the search for gold isn’t easy when your main equipment is made from a used bed frame and old washing machine parts,” Cook noted.
“At the mine and in town; during the day, at night, and on the weekends—every fibre of their being is leading the Shotgun Exploration team down a majestic path that has the potential for vast riches . . . and gut-wrenching heartache,” she said.
In addition to providing national exposure for this corner of the province, there will be some local economic spin-offs.
“The miners will be setting up their camp at the site and patronizing the local businesses, just as they would be if they were working in the area—even if they weren’t being filmed,” explained Cook.
“Likewise, the production team will also be staying in the area.”
