Member Profile:
Nora McGunnigle

Written by Diane Machado

What used to be considered “house wife tales” and common cures for the domestic ills around the home seem to be pastiche in this post-modern era where skills and expertise are reserved for the “paid experts”. With designer names from Martha Stewart and DuPont on your everyday pillowcases and cooking pots, it’s no wonder why they’re billionaires (and why the rest of us are broke). So, what doesn’t come in a package or in a glossy container and might inspire a little DIY (Do It Yourself)? Well, move over and get up close to your TV set, and this time, tune in to Channel 3 because SCAT member Nora McGunnigle produces the monthly series, I Have No Life…Style to “inform the uninformed on everything from home decorating, repair, crafts, hobbies, cooking, love and more!”

Now, this idea for the program did not just originate from Nora’s desire to gain some domestic know-how. Instead she sought to spotlight her roommate, Berit Fehrenbach who enjoys crafting their Somerville apartment into dÈcor bliss. Nora’s living experience with Berit seemed to provide enough material to nail down a story line and star Berit as the main character of Life…Style. As for Nora, she prefers to be “behind the scenes” either producing or writing a script and thinking of scenarios that will earn some laughs from viewers. After all, Nora prides herself as the “original test audience” for most of the humor performed in the skits, and in the process, Nora and Berit seem to amuse themselves.

According to Nora, “having fun is a very large component of producing I Have No Life…Style because we are not getting a salary for creating this program. Our fun is the only pay-off.” Nora and Berit usually spend about 24 hours a month shooting and editing to produce one half-hour segment, and that is not including the amount of time taken to brainstorm ideas for the skits. Planning sessions for videotaping occur in Nora and Berit’s apartment and, according to Nora, “Every room in our house serves as a set backdrop for Berit’s domestic endeavors on video, including an upcoming episode about decorating bathrooms featuring our 'lilac room'.”

However, Nora realizes that producing Life…Style depends upon a rhythm and coordinating her schedule by reserving equipment and edit time far in advance in order to ensure a new program every month. Also, since the series’ inception, Nora has learned “to gain a voice and invent grand ideas for upcoming segments.” Already, there’s a guest lined up to “learn and grow with Berit,” and highlight certain skills like driving a standard, cooking meat, and playing football. Nora characterizes the show as an improvisational project with a theme. Such past themes embrace titles like, “They Don’t Call it VD (Valentine’s Day) for Nothing”, “PMS”, “Beach Berit Bingo”, and a retrospective of past productions starring Berit and Nora’s cousin, Lexi.

Besides sheer enjoyment, Nora’s dedication to producing Life…Style stems from a need to tap into SCAT as a creative outlet. She attributes the program’s longevity to receiving support from SCAT, as well as feeling a connection to the Somerville community. Nora encourages members and viewers alike to send e-mails to no_lifestyle@yahoo.com.

Somerville Community Access Television
90 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-628-8826 | Fax: 617-628-1811
Email: info@access-scat.org
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