Ray Sheehan is searching for Chicago singles with photogenic lives.
“We go out and look for people who have visual jobs or hobbies or do volunteer work that’s very visual,” said Sheehan, booking manager for Philadelphia-based Banyan Productions.
Banyan is coming to Chicago June 20-29 to shoot eight episodes of their Learning Channel series “A Dating Story.” Each episode shoots for three days, following the lives of two single Chicagoans for one day each, then bringing them together for a date on the third day.
Banyan is sending a production team from Philadelphia, but will be hiring local technical crews. As of late May they were still looking for crew, on-air talent, vendors, and locations.
“We’re in the process of selecting local camera crews, as well as unique, interactive dating activities that have something unique to the city,” said production manager Julie Harris.
“A Dating Story” is in its fifth season on the Learning Channel, running weekdays at noon. Sheehan said Banyan will produce 70 to 80 episodes this year.
“We’ve reinvented the show to be hipper, more informative and romantic this year,” Sheehan said. “We’ve added our host, Sabrina Soto.”
The Chicago shows may run as a block on consecutive days or appear as single episodes, he said. This is the first time the show will shoot in Chicago.
Banyan Productions is best known for its series “Trading Spaces,” the Learning Channel’s highest rated show ever. They also produce reality series “A Makeover Story,” “A Wedding Story,” “Renovations,” “Epicurious,” “Birth Day,” and “A Perfect Proposal.” Banyan productions run on the Discovery Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network, Home and Garden TV, Lifetime, PBS, and the Travel Channel.
Reach Banyan Productions field coordinator Suzette Brown at 215/928-1414, ext. 7099. To be considered as on-air talent call Sheehan at ext. 7078; see www.banyanprod.com.
– by Ed M. Koziarski, edk@homesickblues.com
