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New Coordinator
Intern Graduation Another Year End Issue Hooray for Recycling For these efforts the State of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental Protection lauded our efforts with a Green Circle Award at a ceremony in September. The CTV21 staff is proud of this award and we hope to offer this unique, green campaign again next year. |
Local Edition Host Phyllis Cortese reviews the Concert Society Chamber Orchestra holiday concert with guest Richard Serbagi at a recent taping . Top>> |
| One More Article on Elections By Mark Ingram |
It would be like it is now, and has been for the past 17 years, right here at communityvision21. I haven’t stretched anything other than your imagined projection into the future. Well, come back to the present and listen to my story of opportunity and possibility. This year it seemed Election season came upon us quickly and immediately presented us with three opportunities to shoot local debates with the CTV21 mobile production truck. I remember when the truck was new and truck shoots came to us by our own research of community events. After 6 years of rolling the truck to local events, these three debates we would cover all came from organizations familiar with CTV-21 – the local press, non profit organizations, and community organizers all would request us to be an integral part of bringing these important events to people in our local area. We are there, sometimes shoulder to shoulder with other media outlets as part of the “media mix” adding opportunities for a local audience to connect with their community.
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Starting with September 15th, the CTV21 mobile truck was there to tape the 107th District Debate in Brookfield. This was our most challenging venue due to recent construction at Brookfield High School. Unfortunately, our best parking spot plus a few rainy nights amounted to one stuck mobile truck. Undaunted, staff and interns were able forge ahead and get the debate taped despite the rut we were in. With the cooperation of the Brookfield Journal, who had invited us to the event, we had the opportunity to give viewers a look at two candidates together in the same place to aid in their choice at the polls in November. On October 20th the CTV21 truck stopped at the Edmond Town Hall to videotape the 112th and 106th District Debate. All four candidates, two for each district covering Newtown and Monroe were taped as they responded to questions from the publisher of the Newtown Bee, who acted as moderator. Our production acted as in a unique capacity for the Bee; together we provided a pristine audio recording from our mixer to be used as a streaming audio clip on their website. Newtown and Monroe residents were able to see multiple cablecasts of their candidates as an additional debate was submitted from the Monroe League of women voters as taped by educational access channel 17 at Masuk High School. On October 28th was our the high profile debate of the election season as the US Congress 5th District candidates, Chris Murphy and David Cappiello, squared off for our cameras at the Portuguese Center in Danbury. Normally, we are the only mobile production unit at these events; however, for this debate our extensive set up had to be coordinated at the same time WTNH was setting up their 4-camera Hi Definition mobile studio. In addition, there were 4 or 5 other single camera videographers taping for various reasons. It was a great experience for our interns to see us next a professional broadcaster, and more so was there ability to work almost side by side with the “pros” who treated them with a degree of respect by allowing us to visit their control room and see the inner workings of their HD high-end mobile production truck. CommuniTyVision 21 for interns and viewers is not to be taken for granted, as it is the most unique video experience one can enjoy inside and out.
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| People that have produced shows aired on CommuniTyVision21 come in all shapes, sizes, ages and interests. In this issue of Take-1, we shine the producer’s spotlight on one of our current producers who has thus far produced 8 shows and is currently working on a lot more! Pomperaug Watershed Coalition Presents series producer, Sarah Martin, says she is here to spread the message, “We live in a watershed and it is important to protect our precious natural resource.” We asked her to tell us more. How did your CTV-21 experience begin? “The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition was looking for their River Management Seminars to be taped, edited and made into a program for people in the community interested in the protecting the water. As I was already involved in the organization and I enjoyed taping my daughter’s sports, I came here looking to improve my shooting skills. I realized that the station is a great resource.”
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Sarah started out editing her programs on Solitaire, a non-linear editing system. She has since moved on to Final Cut Express in our new editing suite. (btw – have you seen our new Apple editing systems?) “I fell in love with editing and have found producing a show to be a great opportunity. I want to reach beyond the organization that brought me in. I am always thinking of new ideas [for example, shooting footage and helping highlight the Woodbury Farmer’s Market for Local Edition.] Most of my actions involve environmental issues. [Sarah is a Smart Car owner – you may see her zipping around town.] Another passion of mine is taping performing arts.” Do you have future projects in mind? “Many! My next project will be “Rain Gardens in Your Own Backyard”. Intrigued? Be sure to keep watching CTV-21 for more programs by producer Sarah Martin. The Pomperaug Watershed Coalition Presents currently airs on Wednesdays at 7pm and Thursday at 3pm.
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| So, the end is near. No. I am not talking about the financial crisis, or the housing crisis, the heating oil crisis, or any other crisis that might occur now that what’s-his-name is about to be elected. I am talking about the end of analog television transmission. Yup, no one believed it would happen, even me, but here it comes. There are going to be a lot of disappointed people out there who have ignored or misunderstood the multitude of messages that warned of the coming transition to digital transmission. After Feb. 17, 2009, full-power broadcast stations will discontinue over-the-air transmissions using analog signals and begin digital transmission. Part of the cause of this disappointment will be that despite the saturation of warnings, the messages themselves are not clear, nor are they unified. Some appear to say “get to Best Buy and get a TV before it’s too late!” while others read “get the thing that attaches to the other thing before the flip is switched”. They have not considered the viewer who may have no knowledge or interest in anything other than their vertical hold actually holding. A recent pilot conversion took place in North Carolina and despite a mass-advertising of the transition; nearly 2000 homes were without television after the switch. This may sound like a lot, but it is estimated that over 17 million Americans get their television from over the air broadcasts. If you do the math based on the North Carolina experience, on February 18th more than a million Americans might wake up to a dark set. |
Because homeowners have made a custom job out of the TV system running through their homes (Where is Radio Shack now that I need a 7-way coaxial splitter?), the ability to meet everyone’s needs with a single message is greatly reduced. I had several people approach me who started off the conversation by saying “I have basic cable, should I order my discount voucher box now or wait until January?” It took several minutes or more of convincing before they understood that they were fine and didn’t need to do anything. But there are still customers out there that have only a few of their TVs connected to cable and have forgotten about the one in the guest room, garage, or basement that is still using a pound of foil wrapped around a coat hanger. These will go dark; even though the “house” has cable, all the TVs inside need to be connected to it. Regulating television via the FCC has always seemed a slippery slope. The telecommunications industry is highly regulated and more often than not, the regulation which was meant to be positive in promoting competition, controlling prices, and bring TV to all, has done the opposite. The decision to end analog broadcasts and switch to digital was based on 9/11 where chaos reigned because there were no adequate standardized communication bands which allow state and local emergency services to communicate clearly. So, when all is transitioned and done, and the next Katrina, earthquake, or emergency-to-be-named-later occurs will we see the effective use of this new spectrum? In conclusion of this minor rant, the important message I extend is that on February 18th CTV-21 will still be here chugging away. Until that time if you or anyone you know is unsure of their next step regarding the digital transition, just give us a call.
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