Scene 1: A family of 10 arrive at a vacation home rental in the Boothbay region for a reunion.

Scenes 2 through 8: The group goes on a whale watch, visits Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, walks some of the Boothbay Region Land Trust, attends a show at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, strolls through art galleries, takes a sunset sail aboard a local schooner, visits the Maine State Aquarium, swims and collects sea glass and shells at one of the local coves …

Behind the scenes making the trip possible: the Vacation Rental Managers Association, Cottage Connection of Maine, and PineRidge Film & Television, the company filming the reunion group's trip for the second season of its new travel series of 30-minute pieces called “Getting Away Together” (gettingawaytogether.com).

Films in the series air on PBS stations and on Canamedia in Cannes, France, to help promote tourism in the United States.

But, there are two caveats: a community must raise $50,000; and the Boothbay region would be competing with Gloucester, Mass., to be featured in the first film in the series about New England.

Enter Audrey Miller, co-owner of Cottage Connection of Maine, a Vacation Rental Managers Association member, and director Melba Gunnison. The two women met the creator and producer of the series, Jerry Smith, at a Vacation Rental Managers Association conference in Phoenix last fall.

“As soon as we found out who Jerry was and what he was doing, I knew Boothbay had to be the series' first New England destination,” Miller said. “And I am determined to make this happen.”

In 2008, Vacation Rental Managers Association's board of directors put out feelers to find a production company to focus on tourism and vacation rentals.

“This is a member benefit; an opportunity to showcase a destination,” said Jamey King, the association's business development director. “The members who have already had films made in their areas love the finished product. When they see the film for the first time, they tell me it captures the feel of their area.”

After Miller and Gunnison told Smith about Boothbay, he was ready to put it at the top of his list. In fact, after the conference he was so jazzed he began seeking out a group to come to the region for the film.

“I already have 100 people who want to visit your area,” Smith said during a phone interview. “We had people go on our website and tell us why they wanted to vacation in Maine or why they love Maine.”

Miller said she contacted the Maine Film Office and Maine Office of Tourism, but neither agency helps to finance projects.

Smith and his company PineRidge have won 6 Daytime Emmy Awards, including two for the Travel Channel, “Great Hotels” and Passport to Europe,” and have been nominated for 12.

If funds can be raised and Boothbay is chosen, Cottage Connection will be providing the vacation rental to the group in the film and will house the film crew.

PineRidge pays for everything for the group with the exception of airfare. “Bringing Jerry Smith and his crew to Boothbay will be such a great marketing tool for this area,” Miller said. “This TV show is different from others in that we can have all the rights to use it and reproduce it on DVD,” Miller said.

“With international distribution, the Boothbay region, will get international exposure,” Miller said. “And, these shows run for years; I am told we can expect at least a five-year visibility … I know this wonderful town will rise to the occasion and help raise the money.”

Miller has set up an account for project donations to hopefully be able to book Smith for August. Donations may be mailed to Miller at Cottage Connection of Maine, Inc., P.O. Box 655, Boothbay, ME 04537. Contact Miller or Gunnison anytime for more information at 207-633-6545.