Local blacksmith Jason Bivens is one of the actors in a National Geographic series called “Origins: The Journey of Humankind.”
The episode containing Bivens airs tonight, March 10, on the National Geographic Channel at 8 p.m. and is called “Spark of Civilization.” It is season one, episode one of the series hosted by Jason Silva.
“It was fun,” said Bivens. “I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never really acted before, not like this, and I’ve definitely never been a medieval blacksmith so this was fun to do.”
According to National Geographic, “Origins: The Journey of Humankind” rewinds back to the beginning and traces the innovations that made us modern, while the episode “Spark of Civilization” explores harnessing fire as the ultimate origin event that made us modern and allowed us to create, to destroy and to transform, but also taught us hard lessons.
Bivens is a member of Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths. The chapter’s goal is to preserve and promote the exciting art of blacksmithing by educating and involving both men and women, young and old, by offering demonstrations, workshops and classes at local shops or “forges.”
“I assumed the chapter is how National Geographic found me,” said Bivens. “They wanted someone who does bladesmithing, making weapons. I’m the main one that does bladesmithing. They called me up and asked if I wanted to do some filming. I agreed. My friend, Clinton, was also in it as a blacksmith.”
Filming for his episode took place at Cannonsburgh Village in Murfreesboro.
“We were there all day on a Friday to get the shots they used of us,” said Bivens. “I didn’t have any lines. It was all action shots. They also took several shots of weapons I’ve made. It was fun to be part of.”
Bivens offers a local forge group that meets on the first and third Saturday of the month at Warren County Fairgrounds. For more information about Warren County Blacksmiths, Bivens can be reached at 939-4580.
New episodes in the series air every Monday night at 8 p.m. Tonight’s episode is a repeat which originally aired Monday night.