Life in Synchro, a documentary from Baltimore-based producer and director Angela Pinaglia, will air on MPT-HD at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 as part of Maryland Public Television’s Women’s History Month lineup. It will be one of the first public television broadcasts of the documentary on the East Coast. The film will also be broadcast on the statewide public TV network at 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Sunday, March 28.
The one-hour documentary tells the story of women’s synchronized ice skating, a little-known yet compelling sport first conceived more than 60 years ago. The producers describe the film as a “lighthearted documentary that introduces viewers to a sport with Olympic ambitions and also proves that adventure and passion have no age limit. The film is ultimately a celebration of women, female empowerment, of collective action and existence.” A trailer is available at vimeo.com/386405046.
Angela Pinaglia is a Baltimore-based filmmaker and American University graduate who has produced and worked on various fiction and documentary films. Life in Synchro is her first feature film. She served as the film’s director, co-producer, and editor.
Executive Producer Nicole Davies, another American University graduate, is a long-time competitor in the sport. During her synchronized ice skating career, Davies represented Team USA in half a dozen international competitions and earned two international medals. She also has coached teams to the U.S. National Championships, and currently works with the DC EDGE Synchronized Skating Teams as their mental training coach.
Emily Fitzgerald, of Frederick, Maryland appears throughout the film, which was made while she competed for the Dearborn (Michigan) Crystallettes senior team. Fitzgerald began her career with the Frederick Sparklers and has been a Team USA and World Team member. She is a U.S. and international medalist and has three U.S. Figure Skating gold test medals.
Life in Synchro was an official 2020 selection of the Maryland International Film Festival, Ocean City Film Festival, DC Independent Film Festival, among more than 30 film festivals across the county. It was named “Best of Fest” at the 2020 DC Independent Film Festival.
Life in Synchro is distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association.
Background about the sport
Synchronized skating was founded in 1956 by Dr. Richard Porter of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who recognized the lack of team opportunities for young women at the time. Originally called precision skating, the sport has evolved significantly and today there are more than 600 registered teams with U.S. Figure Skating. Internationally, the sport has reached 25-plus countries and there is an annual World Synchronized Skating Championship.
It features 18 different skill levels from beginner through advanced. Teams are made up of 8 - 20 skaters who perform a program together, which is comprised of elements like a circle, block, line, and intersection. In addition to execution, judges are looking at unison, synchronicity, choreography, skating skills, and presentation.
Synchronized skating uses the same judging system as singles, pairs, and ice dance, and is characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations, and challenging step sequences. As with the other disciplines, all teams perform a free skate with required well-balanced program elements. In addition, teams at the junior and senior level perform a short program of required elements.
About Maryland Public Television
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, offering entertaining, informative, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® Awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through instructional events and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org.
