By Staff
Jason Cannon, Franklin County Times
I must admit I'm what you would call a science nerd.
When it comes to watching television shows, I enjoy things like Dirty Jobs and Unwrapped.
I like seeing how things are made and the process it takes to get them from just a pile of ingredients to the finished product.
So, last Friday, when I heard that Russellville's Fmi was going to be featured on How It's Made, I was excited for them.
I could be included in the fan base of How It's Made. In fact, I watched an episode Sunday night, so I would be up to date when I arrived at the facility Monday morning for the shoot.
Research in the journalism business can be tough but this was one task I was happy to do.
How It's Made, which is broadcast in five countries, walks through the processes by which diverse everyday products such as snowboards, ice skates, and bubblegum are manufactured. Each half hour show has four segments, with each product getting a demonstration of at least five minutes.
Russellville's Fmi operation will provide one of those segments in an upcoming episode where they will demonstrate the process of making gas fireplace logs.
For those of you who haven't been inside the facility, I'll tell you that it's impressive. It's very organized and from what I saw while there, works seamlessly.
I'm sure the shoots and re-shoots slowed production down a little but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
I hope the City of Russellville and Franklin County as a whole realizes what an honor it is for Fmi to have been chosen for this television series.
The film crew and production company are based out of Canada, so they went to a lot of trouble and incurred a lot of expense to make their way from Quebec to Russellville.
I am thankful to have been invited to the shoot Monday morning. I'd never been "on set" before and I was also glad to have taken a tour of the facility.
After taking it all in, I can see why Fmi was chosen for an appearance on How It's Made.
It's all about quality.
I look forward to watching the Fmi episode when it airs a few months down the road and my thanks to Fmi for bringing the worldwide spotlight to Russellville.