“I think it is a shame that Dorian and Elaine didn’t move to Bowling Green years ago. If they had, our fair city might have restored all the grand old buildings on Main Street instead of tearing them down. Elaine’s involvement in the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, which she chairs, is probably one of the greatest assets to preserving Bowling Green history. Also, Dorian’s desire to bring the old train cars to the Depot Library is just amazing. Those old train cars are a wonderful history lesson for the children and a reminder to all of us of how important the railroad was to Bowling Green’s past. Their company, Peridot Pictures, is a compliment to the Bowling Green area and is also helping preserve the history of the community through film. I think it is unusual that a gifted television and film producer/director, such as Dorian, would choose to leave Los Angeles and come to Bowling Green. Obviously, he and Elaine must have fallen in love with Bowling Green and the spirit of the community. Future generations will love the community so much more because they did.” An observation by former Daily News reporter and “Peridot Player”, Mitchell Plumlee. It is apparently echoed by many community members, including the Landmark Association which recently bestowed upon the couple its most prestigious honor, the Heritage Award, saying “…they have made an indelible stamp on our city’s historic preservation efforts.” Their contributions have been made through film, community involvement and the restoration of several historic homes including their office at 1267 State street.

The couple left lucrative jobs in LA in 1993. Elaine Nogay Walker, a producer and host with Disney and C. Dorian Walker, working with a variety of companies in network TV and film did not have a job to lure them here, but “a dream of a better place to raise a family,” according to Dorian. And he adds that all their expectations have been exceeded. As in LA, the two are active members of their community. Embracing the notion of community service and responsibility, they enjoy volunteering their time and seeing the difference that it makes. Elaine Chairs the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, is a Commissioner with Riverview and sits on the Board of both the BG Public Library and the Landmark Association. Dorian is the President of the BG/WC Historic Preservation Board, on the Board of Directors of the Depot Development Authority and Chairs the Historic Railroad Committee.

After settling in Bowling Green, In addition to their corroborative community efforts, the couple also became founders and partners in Peridot Pictures Corporation. According to its profile, “The company creates national and international television programs, offering a wide range of services from complete turn-key operations, including in-house Beta SP camera and Avid editing suite; to writing, producing and directing services.”

A few of their most recent credits include: writing, producing and editing sixteen one hour episodes of America’s Castles on A&E, a pilot and three one hour episodes of Greatest Trials of All Time on Court TV, forty half hour episodes of Country at Home for Home and Garden TV, a one hour special American Diners, for the Food Channel and numerous episodes of Restore American on HGTV. They also produce commercials and videos such as the nationally award winning Baby Songs. Their television credits include: NBC’s Unsolved Mysteries, CBS’s Small Talk, ABC’s Where are They Now? and American’s Funniest People and syndicated series such as Reunion, Missing/Reward, and Hometown Hero. Motion Pictures include Teen Witch and Making the Grade.

Their awards include: a Gold Award for Family Films at the WorldFest Film Festival in Houston for Greatest Adventure, two Emmy nominations, top awards at the American Film and Video Festival, CINE Golden Eagles, and Cindy and Angel Awards.

Though each has shown a propensity for many talents, the secret of their success lies in the complimentary nature of their favorite pursuits as well as their mutual supportiveness. While Dorian favors directing to achieve what he has visualized, Elaine prefers producing and anticipating all the elements of a project so they are available for the director in the right place at the right time. Dorian also credits her as the company’s number one cheerleader, injecting enthusiasm, focus and energy to all the players in the slow tedious process of capturing a story on film. Having filled the key leadership roles, the team is a winning one, with the hallmark of their work being their ability to economize without appearing to have done so, therefore achieving a higher production value.

But in production there are many hats to fill, and after meeting through a friendship with his parents, the Walkers gradually found themselves involving Duncan McKenzie in their projects. Under contract with Universal, the writer and actor was finding success in New York when he decided to follow the Walkers lead and take a chance on Bowling Green. Director of the Capitol Arts Center, McKenzie first began working with them on Beauty of the Southland, a film depicting Bowling Green’s railroad station and its impact on the community. McKenzie recalls how he was both struck and inspired by a remark Dorian made to a production assistant while dealing with inclement weather and assorted other mishaps on a live shoot. “In this business there are not problems, just challenges we have to overcome.” Explained Walker. In 1998 he joined the team full time and fills a variety of roles including Production Manager, Casting Director, Assistant Director, Producer and Writer. McKenzie also shares a love of community with his friends and coworkers and has sat on numerous community Boards, most recently the BG Symphony Orchestra, for which he recently became President.

Their most extensive collaboration thus far is the full length feature film “The Greatest Adventure of my Life”, and epic Civil War drama written, directed and produced by Dorian and starring Cody Newton and Cristina Kernan. The film is currently being shown at festivals collecting rave reviews and poised for national release in theatres. Like most of their productions, Greatest Adventure features interior locations and actors from the area. The Walkers have always made efforts to find their crews and actors locally and have been astounded by the talent available. They have also pitched and produced features nationally that showcase local or state artists and locations.

They are perhaps best known in the area for several bodies of work spotlighting local history including: Beauty of the Southland, 200 Bicentennial, The Floyd Collins Story and The Great American Air Affair.

One of Elaine’s favorite ongoing projects is Spotlight on Bowling Green. Airing at some time every day of the week, the Channel 3 series focuses each month on some aspect of how the community operates. Each month a new topic is covered, from fire fighter’s training programs to parking enforcement downtown. Though it is a small production compared to what they regularly accomplish, the Spotlight series has a special place in the heart of all at Peridot Pictures. According to Elaine it represents the spirit that drew them here. “This community works hard for its goals and it gives the chance for voices to be heard and actions to be seen.”

Kim Mason is the Content Manager of the Amplifier which was founded by her in 1995. She serves as Executive Director for the BG International Festival and designs websites. www.kimmason.ky.net