CCTV Center for Media & Democracy News December 2009
In This Issue:
Comcast Media Merger
Seasons Greetings
Live@5:25 Free Slot
Volunteer Opportunity
BED's 25th from CCTV Productions
Media Mavens
This Week on Channel 17/Town Meeting TV
Save the Date for Common Good
Vin Kamanu
Putting the ME (you) in Media
Let's Be Friends on Facebook and Twitter
Join Today!
Watch LG's Video Invitation
More NEWS
Comcast Media Merger
"This is the most important media merger since Lucy married Desi."
-- Andrew Schwartzman, Media Access Project on Comcast-NBC
For more on the Comcast deal to purchase NBC from GE, see http://bit.ly/6iOmwW
Ending the Season of 25 years
What a fantastic 25th year this has been! Thank you for your support and participation in our retrospective events and programs. As we wrap up 2009, the good times continue. We hope you can join us for our Holiday Party on Thursday December 17th from 4-7 p.m. to lighten up the season, enjoy great food and have some fun together! Also this month, we ho= pe you will consider our year-end appeal to join the CCTV Free Speech Fund. We've received a $2500 challenge grant as part of our Holiday Appeal that will match your contribution dollar for dollar! It's easy to contribute at www.cctv.org/donate. Your contribution enables CCTV to secure our communications future. Peruse this month's newsletter for more December events and stay tuned for a full 2010 with election coverage, Channel 17's contract renegotiation with Comcast, more Communications Security meetings, Media Mavens (third Thursdays), and a new NPO Maven series. We hope you'll join us at the Holiday Party on 12/17 and consider an end-of-year contribution to the CCTV Free Speech Fund!
Media Maven Mapping for Nonprofits: Advancing Your Mission with Maps (GIS Tools)
THIS THURSDAY ! December 10, 2009 Tell your story with maps!
Nonprofit and community organizations around the globe are harnessing mapping tools to mobilize supporters and advocates, to tell their stories and the stories of their constituents, and to share knowledge with people, organizations, and communities everywhere. What are the primary uses for mapping? What are the tools and technologies used in nonprofit mapping (Google and others)? We’ll look at inspiring examples including mapping your social networks, video mapping your community, mapping Vermont nonprofits and recent efforts to map funding patterns. RSVP HERE.
Event is free and lunch is available for $5. When: Thursday, December 10 from noon – 1:30 p.m. Where: CCTV Center for Media & Democracy, 294 North Winooski Ave., Burlington
This is the final installment of Google for Nonprofits Workshops co-sponsored with United Way of Vermont, Common Good Vermont, and Google Community Affairs. Link to entire Google for Nonprofits Series Join us for 90 minutes of stimulating talk and a good lunch (for only 5 bucks). Maybe you'll think-- "we should become members of CCTV!" (We'd love that!)
FREE - Your Own Live@5:25 Show
Interested in hosting your own Live Call-In Show on Channel 17/Town Meeting TV? The 3rd Thursday of the month slot is opening in January. Collaborate with other organizations or take the monthly show solo. Contact Rob if interested. 862-3966 x13 rreiber [at] cctv [dot] org
Volunteer in Accounting!
Do you have a special talent with Numbers & Budgets? Do you have “Finance Director” skills that you can contribute to CCTV? We are on the hunt for a smart, generous and experienced person who can volunteer work with us on a weekly basis in our financial management department. Please contact Lauren-Glenn at davitian [at] cctv [dot] org
NEW from CCTV Productions: Burlington Electric Department: Building a Local and Sustainable Energy Future 11/01/2009
This Week on Channel 17/Town Meeting TV
Many of you have been receiving our special new email series "This Week on Channel 17/Town Meeting TV." Our hope is to give you some quick links to special featured programming as well as give you a small sense of the variety of content that is produced and aired on your government access channel.
Here's a qiuck glimpse of SOME of the programs airing "This Week."
Community ~ VT Sudanese Celebration of Hague Ruling on Abyei Boundaries - 10:15 a.m. Monday 12/7
Mavens ~ Media Maven Strategies for Reaching Women (and Men) with Andrea Learned - 9:40 p.m. Tuesday 12/8
Information ~ Ohavi Zedek Health Care Reform in Vermont: Challenges and Opportunities - 1 p.m. Wednesday 12/9
Act TV ~ The Story of Stuff - 4:45 p.m. Thursday 12/10
Vermont ~ Women in the House and Senete - Legislative Update - 4 p.m. Friday 12/11
Municipal ~ Williston Selectboard - 8 p.m. Saturday 12/12
City Department ~ B.E.D. Home Energy Show - 7 p.m. Sunday 12/13
Need More on Burlington Telecom? Click HERE.
Save the Date!
Join us Monday, January 11. You're Invited to the Common Good Vermont Annual Meeting featuring Stuart Comstock-Gay on the State of Philanthropy in Vermont 12 - 2 p.m. at the Center for Media and Democracy, 294 North Winooski Ave, Burlington. Join us for Common Good Vermont’s Annual Meeting with a special keynote on the state of Vermont Philanthropy by Stuart Comstock-Gay, President of the Vermont Community Foundation. RSVP here
Interview with Tina "Vin" Kamanu, Outgoing Channel 17 Field Producer
Tina "Vin" Kamanu worked at Channel 17 as a field producer covering meetings and events before she had to leave and return to Texas. You may also recognize her as a former field producer for Educational Access Channel RETN.
*How did you come to Channel 17?
I was looking to learn more about working in television and so I was referred to Channel 17 by Jim Kelty at RETN where I also worked.
*What have you learned while working for access TV?
I learned quite a lot. I learned about working with larger studio cameras (250's & 300's), mics; audio. I learned that the audio is just as important as video if not a little bit more important than video at least from my perspective. Without the audio even when there is no video, people can still get a sense of what's going on, but if there is only video without good audio or any audio at all, then THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. There's just no joy in watching something and not hearing what's being said especially when it's at an important event, which involves coming up with a resolution at the end.
I learned the importance of being on time for work; giving enough time to set up for shoots, I also learned about trouble shooting. I learned that it is important to get involved in ones community; knowing about issues that arise and need to be resolved in the community. Finally I learned that we all have voices and access TV allows people to be seen and heard.
*Will you miss it?
I will miss it. At Channel 17 I learned so much, was embraced, and welcomed with open arms from the first moment I began working at the station. I would really like to thank Tuija Lindell, Geoff Wyman, Kevin Harms, and Damir Nurkanovic for teaching me a lot about the job. I would also like to thank Rob Reiber & Lauren Glen so much for the opportunity to be a part of the Channel 17 team/family. I would also like to thank you Meghan for this interview.
*How will you use what you have done here in the future?
I'm originally from Nigeria and I hope to go back someday to create broadcasting media centers for the young or less fortunate people in and across Nigeria. Those interested in getting involved in TV/video production or filmmaking, but don't have access to equipment or skills can come and learn the different media or video making skills they need.
*Where are you moving on to?
I hope to eventually end up in New York city, Los Angeles or traveling the world making fun and entertaining films/videos for people to enjoy. I hope to eventually become a film Director and Producer.
*Highlights of your experience? or low points?
Working in access media enabled me to come out of my comfort zone. I am naturally shy/reserved and still am sometimes, but I am more social that I use to be. Working in media allowed me to attend various media, networking, and social events where I had to interact with people. I would say having the opportunity to attend various events and interacting with strangers has been a highlight.
*What do you do outside of working for public access?
I hope to always work in TV media in some form, but film is what I love most. I am an independent filmmaker and I hope to continue to make all kinds of fun and entertaining films. Breaking into mainstream filmmaking seems challenging at the moment, but filmmaking and working with video equipment is my passion so I am very determined to learn more about equipment (video & audio) and to make it as a working filmmaker (Writer/Director/Producer).
*What is something you think people might be surprised to learn about you?
That I am VERY FUNNY, no seriously I can make anyone laugh..., you'll literally have to beg me to stop, but the only people that experience this are usually those close to me because I am often shy.
Don’t Just Watch Media: Make it! Channel 17 November Media Making Workshops
Have a story you want to tell? An event you’d like to cover? An opinion that you need to express? Register today for Channel 17’s September 2009 media production and distribution workshops! Start with “Basic Introduction to Camera Use” (Tuesday, 11/10 at 10am) and move on to “Basic Introduction to Non-Linear Editing” (Tuesday, 11/17 at 10am). All sessions last 90 minutes, located at Channel 17 Studios at 294 North Winooski Avenue and free and open to all. Register for Classes HERE.
CCTV's 25 Years now on DVD: Order Today
The 25th Anniversary Continues! Thanks again to everyone who attended CCTV’s 25th Anniversary events! If you missed them or simply want to relive the moments, DVDs are available here: http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/cctv-25th-anniversary-video-screening-free-speech-art-auction
Follow CCTV and Channel 17/Town Meeting TV on Twitter and Facebook
"Follow us" and "Let's be Friends!"
Center for Media and Democracy
Membership at the Center for Media and Democracy comes with benefits! Support free speech and become a part of a community asset! www.cctv.org. Check out our new web page with resources for nonprofit organizations . There is info in here that you didn't know you needed to know! email Kathleen Swanson with your questions.
The Center for Media and Democracy is the home to Channel 17 and CCTV Productions.
Learn to make TV, use computers or hire us to create your non-profit video. For more information, visit
www.cctv.org or stop in at 294 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401.
We are part of a network of access stations in Vermont, in Chittenden County alone, there are 3 different access centers which include: Channel 17/Town Meeting TV, opening the door to local government; RETN
, local educational access Channel 16, offers high-school and college students a wide range of customized, hands-on internships including digital video, website development, music and graphics for TV and small business development. To learn more visit our website at www.retn.org or call 802-654-7980 and VCAM, local public access Channel 15, offering an ever expanding range of community video production and new media classes. To learn more visit the website at www.vermontcam.org or call 802-651-9692