Award winning Chronicle Producer John Budris, a Brockton native, explains focus of his effort to gather flavor and images of the 21st century scene in the library of Brockton’s War Memorial Building on West Elm Street.

Mr. Budris spent two months filming and ‘chronicling’ the changes and rebirth taking place in Brockton during the last eight years. He had considered filming this piece nearly 10 years ago but decided at the time there was not enough change to showcase the community of diverse cultures, neighborhoods and melodic repertoire. This production drew on historic and present day attractions in the ‘City of Champions’ and aired Monday evening, July 12th. 

The thirty minute show was divided into three distinct segments teased with the title "What You Don’t Know About Brockton". The various film episodes combined exciting footage of Brockton’s storied past featuring manufacturing scenes of the Foot Joy Shoe Company intermingled with vintage footage of World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Rocky Marciano’s career and an audio over mix of classical and popular music from the Brockton Symphony Orchestra and Brockton High’s legendary Music Band, Directed by Vin Macrina. Interviews with Marciano Brother Peter and Stanley Bauman, who "ate as much pasta as Rocky" in the Marciano home as well as Johnathon Kohler and Mr. Macrina enhanced the exhilarating medley of film and song. 

Bill Murray’s interest and excitement with the Brockton Rox were showcased with footage featuring last season’s championship post game rally and this year’s opening game with interviews with the erstwhile comedian, Mayor Jack and Rox Manager Ed Nottle. Every minute of the segment devoted itself to some unique feature highlighting Brockton’s overall housing value and offering it as an economical alternative to Boston and surrounding suburbs noting that commuter rail from the downtown is at three locations. Yanni Davos’ spectacular renovation of the Times Building on Main at Pleasant Street represented the premier picture of the downtown housing renaissance. 

Mr. Budris spent time with local merchants and members of the historic immigrant communities of the Lithuanian Village and their present day counterparts in Campello - Cape Verdeans, filmed attending St. Margaret’s Parish Center Church on Main Street.

Link to chronicle story

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