DIRECTOR
"...days go by, and absolutely nothing happens. Then, just when you think 'okay, I guess they're gone', somebody decides it's time to drop in again."
In an unusual combination of interests and talents, award-winning video producer/director David Manganelli has also been a ghost investigator for over 25 years. He became involved with the investigation of this prison when he served as the Paranormal Consultant to MTV for the Moundsville episode of the series "Fear."
"This old prison is an utterly fascinating place. I was bombarded with so many questions about it that I felt the time was right to make a full-length video about it," says Manganelli. Working with the full cooperation of the Moundsville Economic Development Council, Manganelli spent the better part of 3 months in and around the prison shooting the video.
"I spent all hours of the day and night at the prison, sometimes with a small crew, sometimes completely alone. And, believe me, this place will command your complete and undivided attention when you are there alone!"
"It's been an intriguing project... whatever is there plays an wicked little game of cat and mouse. Days go by, and absolutely nothing happens. Then, just when you think 'okay, I guess they're gone', somebody decides it's time to drop in again. It's like: Oh... hello!"
"I wanted the viewers to get a good sense of what the prison really looked like, and I also wanted them to hear some of the amazing background stories told by our 4 guests in "Part 1" of the video. These men spent many years of their professional lives working at the prison, and their observations are invaluable for understanding the nature and character of the place. It was an honor to have them contribute to the video."
"As for the ghosts... well, is there a better setting? I set out to show Nancy Myer doing what she does best, and to let the audience experience an almost real-time walkthrough of this densely layered place. You're usually quite pressed for time on most video programs, you never have enough time to spend on any aspect, and I wanted this to be different. If you like creepy places, I don't think you'll be disappointed."
Did he find any real ghosts? "Yes -- though it might be more appropriate to say that a few of them found me first! There are times when the prison is completely peaceful... then there are times when it becomes utterly unsettling. One of the things we shot first was Nancy Myer's sequence, and then I began checking out the information that she had picked up. Some of the results were quite amazing, and there is information in the video that comments on Nancy's accuracy. Some of it still sends a chill down my spine, and I thought had gotten pretty used to the place."
"There is so much to this place that my investigation into it will continue on for quite a while to come."