V&T commission supports documentary on reconstruction effort

A four-time Emmy Award-winning producer wants to make a documentary film about the efforts to reconstruct the V&T Railway and the commission running the reconstruction asked him to come back with a more detailed proposal.

Sheldon I. Altfeld said that although there had been previous documentaries made about the V&T, this one would cover the project to revitalize the historic railroad.

"We want to do one on the work of this commission," he told members of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway on Monday.

Altfeld said he and his partner, Temma Keatan-Hammond, a local producer, could create the documentary for $30,000, with profits from licensing, showing and DVD sales to be higher than $70,000.

But he said he couldn't just accept the rights to the story and make the film at his own expense.

"In TV you need resources," he said. "It's not all done up front, but it's done in thirds."

He said he would prefer looking into commercial sponsorship if the commission could not fund the project.

Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira said at a recent Carson City Convention and Visitors Authority Board meeting, dedicated to branding Carson City, the V&T was the most recognizable name attached to the city.

"It's unique unto itself and has wide appeal," he said, enthusiastically endorsing the documentary idea.

But fellow Commissioner John Tyson was unsure that an effective documentary could be done for $30,000, and asked the pair to come back with a more detailed proposal with itemized expenses and a timeline.

Commissioner Bonnie Weber, of Washoe County, was opposed, saying it was far too premature to be approving documentaries.

"Sierra Railroad will be doing something," she said. "It seems a little premature to be talking about doing something today." Sierra Railroad, has been chosen to run the railroad when it is completed.

But Teixeira said the documentary could bring in funds, and asked that Tyson be involved in the project.

"This is what we need, that we could send to anywhere," he said.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.