WANTED: Oakridge Originals for Interviews
Summer goal: Record four stories of original Oakridge residents who still live in the neighbourhood
Were you one of the first residents of Oakridge Acres in the 1950s, or do you know someone who was? We need your help! I want to record four interviews by the end of this summer, with people who moved into an Oakridge home and still live here, even if they're moving out soon.
If you know an Oakridge Original, please ask them about being part of the movie project! Introduce us! We'd love to include these experiences and memories in our film. All the facts and history are interesting, but it's the people and their stories that make it important.
Message me at oakridgemovie@gmail.com. If you're available later this summer to help shoot, let me know! -- Scott / July 22 2024
About the Film
Synopsis
The war was over. The economy was booming.
Mowbray Sifton led a newly-incorporated company in an ambitious 1950s construction project northwest of the City of London, in Southwestern Ontario.
Farmland became neighbourhoods pre-populated with churches, schools, parks and retail.
Meet the people who settled in what developers called Canada's First Planned Community, OAKRIDGE ACRES.
Discover why, despite its success, a development like this can never happen again.
This multimedia documentary project will combine a feature presentation to be accompanied by an archive of extended materials to be shared with Londoners for all time.
Who'll Be In It
Long-time residents, former residents, new residents and a lot of people who know what they're talking about when it comes to architecture, history, urban planning, trees, turkeys and more.
Who's Making It
Oakridge broadcaster Scott Simpson is leading the project. You may know him as the local home-video transfer guy, or from radio stations such as CJBK 1290 and Easy 101.3. More about Scott at Cygnals.com and ScottSimpson.ca.