Can or should Community Access Television as we know it, be sustained?

Congress attempted to review what stays, goes or may be modified in the Telecom Act of 1996. In an Internet connected world, can or should Community Access Television as we know it, be sustained?  As with so many things before Congress there was inaction.

Yes and No.What matters in this ever changing landscape

Everything this experiment in democracy has at its core: building community through the production of ideas, opinions, stories, news, information and/or performance as local television while valuing free speech, individual expression and diversity remains a vital part of sustaining democratic communities. There is no comparable network of organizations dedicated to being of, by and for the voice of the people.
As an experiment, it has a range of successes and models of implementation that represents the diversity of America. As a network, it has shared principles, values and support that keep it from being rudderless among the many opportunities for voices to be enabled by worldwide connectivity.

If the Internet is ubiquitous and free to all in the near future, will the following personal aspects of local television still be desirable?

  • Comfortable watching of content from a living room recliner;
  • Same viewing experience shared by neighbors;
  • Community projects bringing folks together to tell community stories;
  • Commercial‐free viewing;
  • Local media that is not controlled by media corporations, self‐appointed power brokers or self‐interested corporations

Community Access is the delivery system for hyperlocal content: content important to the shut‐in who cannot attend church, commuter who cannot attend a public meeting, a child proud of their report shared with everyone in town, immigrants learning a new language, new homeowner learning about his/her community. It is people agreeing and disagreeing about what makes a difference to them locally where they still have the potential to influence outcomes.

Yes, the Internet should change Community Access TV by being another tool for delivery. What it cannot be or replace is the potential to gather, teach, discuss and share what is local based on the reasonable needs and qualities of a community. Hundreds of volunteers and organizations are connected through a viable Community Media System. Youth can discover, learn and experiment; and elders can stay connected in what would hopefully be a community hub that is more vital today because what can be created as TV can be shared as Social Media and distributed additionally via the Internet. Locally WPAA-TV and Community Media Center is prepared to be that hub.

Inaugural Episode: CommUnity Conversations

WPAA-TV does not produced TV; rather we provided resources,training and technical support to citizen producers. The show Community Conversations has a new twist on the concept of production support. Each show is a collaborative production facilitated by wpaa.tv. Similar to productions historically done by trained citizen producers it is designed to represent the participants views and interests in a noncommercial and informing manner. Unlike citizen productions for this collaborative programming WPAA staff and production volunteers take an active role in soliciting Contributors from within the community. WPAA provide extensive technical production support in a manner that still leaves content decisions with the Contributors. Collaborative production helps you make TV ! How much you participate like what you say is up to you.

cUc
Click image to watch Episode 1: Planning for Aging
Community Conversations
Conversations in the public interest. Make TV.

 

 

At a recent Alliance For Community Media Conference many future of Community TV discussions center around purpose, sustainability, embodying the mission, being hyper-local and a valued go-to resource. Several stations shared that they had begun weekly or monthly news magazines shows using staff as both the talent and production team. With this in mind and the goal of creating a sustainable model for hyper-local programs that can better enable and expand community engagement the concept of CommUnity Conversations was given the development nod. Staff remains behind the scenes but takes on a larger supportive role in managing the program evolution. The initiative is seen as a collaboration; connecting local stakeholders and their constituencies within the community through ‘informing’ conversation.

Topics: child care, literacy, reading, social needs and services, epidemics & wellness, transparency, networking & service; essentially, any topic with two or more people committed to exploring available local resources, concern or opportunities can be an episode. Do you have a topic? Let us know at wpaa at gmail dot com

Open Letter to Producers

Thank you for your commitment to community media; we look forward to supporting your citizen media productions going forward.

We are you. Producers are at the core of what we do.
We are you. Producers are at the core of what we do.

Hours of Operation for studioW use:
We close at 9 PM. Studio reservation times are evenings from 5 to 7 and 7 to 9 PM. If you need to arrive earlier we will try to accommodate you. The 1st and last 1/2 hour is for set-up and breakdown of the studio space. Producers should arrive before guests and are responsible for preparing the set for their shows.
Reservations in the 7-9 timeline must complete recording by 8:30 PM in order to complete all procedures to package the video for future timely scheduling and VOD. If an extension is desired please see if staffing can be worked out or volunteers made available to support a later closing time. You may be asked to donate $25 to WPAA-TV for late closing support.

When you come in to make TV, the Set-Up:

  • Please provide the names and titles of your guests in writing. Verify names entered into the system before recording.
  • If using video or images that need to be loaded to the system before recording, please arrive during designated set-up time to load and test these elements in a timely manner.
  • If you are planning a moderate change to your program such as extra guests please make your studio support person aware of this change ASAP. An advance email notice to the office would be appreciated. A major change from talk show to performance event requires 1 weeks’ notice and may not be possible in the originally reserved time because support staff and access to the building differ.
  • The audience area is for seating only not tables or displays of any kind. Chairs need to be set out to allow for clear access to all doors.
  • Be aware of your countdown time; all programs are to close with a disclaimer and produced at WPAA-TV trailer elements in addition to program-specific credits.
  • Aisle and Fire exits: Take care not to put set items in front of the Fire Door.

Noncommercial, nonprofit/Merchandising:
Our Bulletin Boards are not to be used to promote your business, your guest business, or your or ministry. Allowed: Producers can post their business cards/contact information. WPAA Staff can post notices related to WPAA-TV.

Solicitation of monetary donations or contributions is allowed for nonprofits: charitable appeals for funds are within the protection of the First Amendment. Viewers must be able to validate the nonprofit based on information provided in credits.

Producers who engage in merchandising or ticket sales to underwriting their productions are expected to maintain financial records establishing that the proceeds are used for valid program production expenses. Merchandising can, with advance notice, be set-up downstairs to be managed by a production team member during attendees sign-in or after the program. If attendee accessibility is a concern, the green room area can have designated areas created. Guests with intent to merchandize: WPAA-TV resources are provided at no charge on a 1st come, 1st serve basis. The use of community resources for personal gain is not allowed as part of the stewardship of these resources. Sales of books, CDs, fan art or other paraphernalia is not to be done in the TV studio. If a guest will be incurring costs to participate in the TV Production experience, the Producer will need to document expenses and sales income to validate sales off-set actual expenses.

Refreshments:

  • No food in the studio. Water cups or bottled water for you and your guests are permissible. (Staff should adhere to this as well whenever possible).
  • Serving & sharing food will be limited to the 2nd-floor green room or 1st floor. The large TV in the green room can be ON to watch the show from there while eating.
  • Please clean up before leaving. If you have refreshments please have volunteers responsible for cleanup.
  • WPAA-TV does not underwrite refreshments for guests. WPAA-TV keeps Triple Spring Water available for everyone’s use. If you use other items like paper products or coffee some reciprocity is expected. Dishware is taken off-site for cleaning/sanitizing after use.

Communication to staff: Please make all requests for support changes to Susan in person or via email to wpaatv at gmail dot com. Please do not contact staff via Facebook, personal emails or personal phone unless it is an emergency and reaching out through the main office has been unsuccessful. Our schedule is published to staff on Sunday by 3 PM so arrangements need to be made by noon the Sunday before the desired change.

‘Tis always the season to welcome

Dec 4th was the 7th Annual Holiday Stroll hosted by Wallingford Center Inc. As a participating business in this community event, WPAA-TV had an open House with TV station tours. a Make TV Magic  Holiday Message activity concurrent with covering the event itself with a ‘Live’ programming for 4 hours. Roaming reporters brought back clips from activities along the stroll route on Main and Center St. Click the images below to watch video stories.

Click image to see video
Click image to see 13-minute remix video – do you see anyone you know?

 

Click this image below to view a 2015 Make TV Magic video:Kettlecorn

In 2010, WPAA-TV relocated to So Orchard St. making it 100 feet off the main road. Being downtown but not on Center St. has created some challenges in getting community participation in WPAA-TV activities during the WCI celebratory events; however, anyone who decided to go out of there way to find us was not disappointed. One new visitor found everything in studioW to be exceedingly beyond expectations. Another couple had a very fun time as seen on Facebook here.

WPAA-TV Tours always include stories about the volunteers that renovated the 1924 barn currently transformed into a TV Station/Media Center and the organization’s history which now spans more than two decades. Ten years ago the Make TV Magic – Holiday Greetings was done for the 1st time during Celebrate Wallingford: Volunteers invited individuals passing by the former 128 Center St. location to come inside and make TV. You can view some short videos from past years Make TV Magic here.

Let me remind you that in my first encounter with Community TV in Wallingford I heard the volunteer leadership expressed fear of success. The consensus was: “What if they come, could we be ready for their expectations?”  This What IF? yielded to cautious plans about public participation.

A few things have changed. In addition to where WPAA-TV is located, there is also an attitude change. The volunteers keeping the doors open at WPAA-TV encourage public participation that can be expressed as What if they come? Please do!

#W06492 is the hashtag for Wallingford, CT.

Susan Huizenga Volunteer Executive Director

What is in a name?

More than TV
WPAA is TV and More …

In so many public announcements done by others like this one in Wallingford Wired this organization is listed merely as “WPAA”. However, for more than 5 years our communication has been in the name of WPAA-TV and Media Center and most recently the Board of Directors voted to clarify the doing business as (d/b/a) name as WPAA-TV and Community Media Center.

Corner view of TV Station shows Hercules Mural
Corner view shows Hercules Mural

Our building signage appears as WPAA-TV. Those who have wandered in have been curious about the “TV” part of the name. The initial question from the new visitor is either “Do you fix TVs here? or “Is this a real TV station? (and, with some hesitation) Can I be on TV?” We are always proud to answer; If you live in Wallingford this TV Station WPAA-TV belongs to you. Do you have time to look around?

Two aspects of our name are important: TV and Community. We support the creation of TV by and for the “community” as the primary mission of the nonprofit Wallingford Public Access Association, Inc.

Sorry for (Y)our Loss #W06492

Last weekend the community lost two producers: One had just a planning meeting and a few ideas to sort through as she wanted to involve young people; the other five weeks in to his own project sharing stories & tips gleaned from his 55 years in radio.

Rachel dropped in to ‘check the place out’. She recently came to realize she could use the resources of WPAA-TV at no cost. The source of her awareness was an Intern Project which involved young members of her faith community on Tuesday and Thursday evenings this summer.  She had produced for Father John but had not made the connection between WPAA-TV and her ability to produce for herself.

Don reached out to the station in June seeking help in getting a response from a Producer that had interviewed him twice. The Producer was not returning calls, had not provided promised DVD copies of the interviews nor had he set up another interview. Don went on to say that he had so much he wanted to talk about and he wished there was a better way than a meandering interview.

Don did not understand that he could produce his own stories. He was lead to believe he had to be “interviewed”  by this “employed” Producer. (WPAA-TV does not employ Producers.)

Your stories are welcome here: You can Produce Yourself. The community will be at a loss if you wait too long to share your passions.

Posted with the utmost thanks for having been touched ever so slightly by these two wonderful individuals.

All Blog Posts before 2015…

On The Parade GroundThe original blog was designed to develop and support the concept of a community video crew to be called OnTheParadeGround.

The name evolved from efforts to procure property for the Community TV Station that is on The Parade Ground in Wallingford, CT. The Parade Ground remains a gathering place of residents for community events. For this team-to-be, it is a symbol of a place where people can give voice to ideas, share news, and inform others.

The creation of timely, local content requires a community of volunteers.  The station’s board members and staff are not producers or content creators. Similar to all residents, they can independently produce, but the role of staff is to train, facilitate, and mentor those seeking to develop digital media skills and use these skills to share information and stories or entertain. Content for Community TV must be made, or acquired, by community members.

We have the tools, but without you, there are no news stories, coverage of local events, or archival history being made.

Governance Topics: Understanding How We are Funded and Operate

This category has updates on fundraising campaigns and commentary on regulatory processes.  The posts include an entry Board President Statement by Joey Allard (6.18.2020) originally published on the GuideStar site (2019). He reflects upon his experience at WPAA-TV, progressing from college intern to serving as president.

OnTheParadeGround Congratulations

It is with great pride and enthusiasm that WPAA-TV Executive Director accepts the 1st Place Award for Diversity Empowerment on behalf of Penn’s Pals with a hope to be able to submit to this category every year from the annual creation & a collection of Wallingford stories.

She supported this effort as an OnTheParade Ground Volunteer.  Penn’s Pals is now being edited by an Intern from Middlesex Community College. All interns are automatically considered OnTheParadeGround Crew.

To join with others to make Community TV in Wallingford send a note of interest to wpaatv@gmail.com.

At WPAA-TV Interns are being added into the mix as part of community volunteers supporting citizens with their communication goals as members of OnTheParadeGround Crews. So consider being an Intern!!

Producer participation in Alliance for Community Media is also encouranged and underwritten by WPAA. 

There is a overall sense of pride about of all of the submissions that represent how far WPAA has come as a community building organization with entries from Citizen Mike, SCOW, Penn’s Pals in addition to ad hoc projects supported by the OnTheParadeGround crew:  (BAWA Health, Wallingford Community Theater, BenVentures, and Wallingford Chorus) and the very special Make-A-Difference TV Project “Sharing Joy“.

Our community once again is honored with a 1st place recognition of Penn’s Pals – Through Sophie’s Eyes’ in the category Diversity Empowerment.  Bravo.

Public Event TV: One Camera Shoot

Wallace Dam Fishway: Harry Haakonsen Dedication Video is complete.  I did not editorialize but I did edit the material presenting the nearly 2-hour event in 30 minutes, with a slight restructuring of the sequence of events.  I did give the project slightly more than one hour per minute of production attention.

I enjoyed creating the lower thirds shad tag and I leveraged several web page mastheads.

It was a refreshing event to attend. I know that there were years of effort to get Town’s cooperation for which there was ample credit bestowed and ironically, accepted. In reality, it was informing but agonizing to watch each new Town Council get briefed on the project’s value and to hear the same concerns about liability raised.
In the end, there are many proud volunteers and hope for an easier future for the several varieties of fish that swim home.  For this cause, I am not wearing the T-Shirt but it was rewarding to help tell the story via coverage of this Earth Day event.  Search Wallace Damn on the wpaa.tv calendar for playtimes between 4/25/12 and 5/20/12.  On VOD look for Wallace Dam Fishway Dedication.