Membership Dues Increase

Over the past two years, SPNN has increased the number of workshops,
networking opportunities for producers, and added Sunday hours to
increase the ability for members to take advantage of our facilities. In
order to continue to offer these services, SPNN will be increasing
membership rates for the first time since 1998. The new rates, listed
below, go into affect May 1, 2007.

$20 Limited Income
$25 Student and Senior
$35 St Paul Resident
$60 MN Resident
$110 Non-Profit Organization and Non-MN Resident

Limited Income, Student, and Senior members will continue to get 50%
price reductions on classes. In order to receive the limited income
membership, an individual needs to be enrolled with one of the following
State or Federal programs: TANF, MFIP, WIC, General Assistance, Medical
Assistance, MinnesotaCare, SSI, Food Stamps, or Section 8.

After May 1, to qualify for a limited income membership you will need to
show your EBT card, Minnesota Health Care Programs card, or Section 8
document, together with a picture ID to the access desk when renewing
your membership. A student must show proof of age or a school ID. To
find out when your membership expires, please call the Access Desk at 651-
298-8908 or email me at schumacher@spnn.org.

If you have any questions contact me via email or phone.

FCC's Order on Local Cable Franchising

On March 5, 2007 the FCC's report and Order finds that local franchising authorities have acted unreasonably and delayed competitive entry. It claims to preempt local franchising authority (LFA) and change the normal franchise process with respect to new applicants.

The LFA would have 90 days to act if "the applicant has existing authority to access public rights-of-way or 180 days if the applicant does not.

The LFA cannot refuse a franchise based on "unreasonable build out mandates". The FCC laid out several examples of what would be unreasonable, but no examples of what would be acceptable.

In regards to Franchise Fee, revenue from non cable services, including Internet access, cannot be taken into account in determining the 5% cap. Any in kind services would count against the 5% cap. In kind services might include, fiber for INets, cable from the cable company to the access facility, etc. PEG operating grants would also count against the 5% cap.

According to Miller Van Eaton, "if the Commission were to apply all the conditions summarized above to the existing operators, the renewal process, already heavily biased against local communities would be further encumbered with short time limits, restrictions on build-out requirements, threats to PEG and I-Net support and in-kind benefits."

This is just a quick summary of the latest FCC ruling. It is what I gleamed from reading the six page document our lawyers drafted for us.

Job opening for White Bear Access Center

Visual Storyteller Wanted!

Production Services Department seeks experienced photographer/editor/graphics producer. Qualifications: Minimum 2 years professional production experience. Non-linear editing (Final Cut Pro), field/studio camera operation, experience with production software (Adobe Photoshop, After Effects). Looking for a team player with a knack for visual storytelling. Work with in-house producers, government and community clients.
Salary up to $33,000, DOE, FT, benefits. No phone calls.
Resume & demo reel by 03/23 to:

Director of Production Services
2460 E. County Rd. F, Suite B
White Bear Lake, MN 55110

SPNN to carry Saints Games

SPNN will carry 29 St. Paul Saints games this Spring and Summer. The games that will be covered are listed below. Most of the games will be carried live, but some will be tape delayed as well.

SPNN is very excited about this parternship. CTN in Coon Rapids will be taping all the St. Paul Saints games. Some will be carried on Fox Sports, but these 29 games will only be seen on access centers around the Metro area. In St. Paul you will be able to watch it on Channel 19.

TUE 15-May 7:05PM vs. Sioux City
WED 16-May 7:05PM vs. Sioux City
FRI 18-May 7:05PM vs. St. Joseph
SUN 20-May 1:05PM vs. St. Joseph
FRI 25-May 7:05PM vs. Sioux Falls
FRI 8-Jun 7:05PM vs. Sioux Falls
MON 11-Jun 7:05PM vs. Lincoln
TUE 12-Jun 7:05PM vs. Lincoln
WED 13-Jun 7:05PM vs. Lincoln
FRI 22-Jun 7:05PM vs. St. Joseph
TUE 26-Jun 1:05PM vs. Pensacola
WED 27-Jun 7:05PM vs. Pensacola
THU 28-Jun 7:05PM vs. Pensacola
FRI 6-Jul 7:05PM vs. Lincoln
SUN 8-Jul 1:05PM vs. Lincoln
WED 18-Jul 7:05PM vs. Sioux City
THU 19-Jul 7:05PM vs. Sioux City
FRI 20-Jul 7:05PM vs. Sioux City
FRI 27-Jul 7:05PM vs. Sioux City
TUE 31-Jul 7:05PM vs. St. Joseph
WED 1-Aug 1:05PM vs. St. Joseph
MON 6-Aug 7:05PM vs. El Paso
TUE 7-Aug 7:05PM vs. El Paso
WED 8-Aug 7:05PM vs. El Paso
FRI 10-Aug 7:05PM vs. Fort Worth
THU 16-Aug 7:05PM vs. Sioux Falls
FRI 17-Aug 7:05PM vs. Sioux Falls
MON 20-Aug 7:05PM vs. Lincoln
TUE 21-Aug 7:05PM vs. Lincoln

MN State Legislation

Qwest introduced draft language on a bill to allow them to by-pass local franchising, and will release the full language next week. At a hearing today, John Stanoch of Qwest told the committee that Qwest supported the idea of "parallel obliigations to support PEG." The bill is a version of Washington State language and
subverts PEG.

Another hearing on the full language will happen next Friday AM. The committee's legislative staff has asked Mike Wassenaar of SPNN to help with language to ensure PEG is not harmed.

We will keep you updated.

Looking for possible board members

There is one three-year term up for election amongst the membership at the meeting. The deadline for applications will be May 1. Please let me know if you are interested in running for the board. You must be a member of SPNN.

New State Senate Bill

A new bill is being introduced into the State Senate dealing with Franchising. Rep. Sheldon Johnson is introducing the bill. There will be a hearing on Friday. Mike Wassenaar of SPNN will be testifying.

March ATA

The new All Things Access is now on SPNN. You can watch it Wednesday nights at 7Pm on Channel 15. This month's show will focus on memorable interviews with members. Featured this month are James Adiamk, Reggie Moore, A-yia Thoj, and Gordon Leverett.

We also have an update from you the Youth Dept. using Sock Puppets.

If you don't get cable you can watch it here.

MOTM- Bernie Piorek

Bernie is an audio expert and long time member of SPNN.

MOTM- Reggie Moore

Reggie Moore has been producing at SPNN for over five years. He has two different shows that he works on, Fabulus Underground and Max Showcase. Max Showcase was designed for the younger viewer.

Take a look at the man behind the production.

MOTM- Helen Broderick

Helen Broderick has worked in theater and video for many years. She has recently started working with two SPNN programs, "Active Generations" and "City Passport". She also volunteers on SPNN programs. Maria Tototzintle talked with Helen, find out what Helen had to say.

Limited Income Memberships

We are making some changes to the way we accept limited income memberships.

SPNN wants to make sure that everyone has access to create video to communicate with the St. Paul community. For this reason we have set up the limited income membership. It allows individuals that have limited resources to join SPNN. To get a limited income membership, an individual needs to be involved with one of the following: TANF, MFIP, WIC, General Assistance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, SSI, Food Stamps, or Section 8.

To receive the limited income membership just show your EBT card, Minnesota Health Care Programs card, or Section 8 document, together with a picture ID to the access desk.

Limited Income memberships are $15 for a one year membership.

Altman Light Kit

SPNN has two Altman Swing Pack Ligtht kits. This is a how to for those kits.

YouTube

There are lots of free video hosting sites out there. We at SPNN utilize two of them Google Video and YouTube. Ed Sanders took a look at how to put your video on YouTube and did a step by step instruction.

Watch the video for Ed's tips.

Another look inside

This is why we don't do extension. Member B came to a staff member and asked for an extension for her/his hard drive. The staff member granted Member B the extension for two weeks. The expiration date on the drive was changed to reflect the new date. After those two weeks were up, Member B came to me and asked if she/he could have an extension. I explained that we didn't do extension and member B said that another staff member had told her she could have a two week extension. I told member B that I would honor what the other staff member had offered. Member B neglected to tell me that those two weeks had already passed. Member B received a one month extension. This is an example of a member taking advantage of there being more than one staff and that we don't always talk about each circumstance.

The lesson I learned that even when we are sympathetic and grant an extension, some members will still try to take advantage of our compassion even more. When we do things like this, we typically have to do some juggling to make sure everyone still gets the equipment they were promised.

ATA-Full Video

If you missed an episode or All Things Access you can now catch it on the internet. We are in the process of loading all of our previous episodes onto Google video, so you can watch them at your covience. If you want you can still catch the TV version Wednesday nights at 7.

Don't worry you can still view all the tech tips and member of the months' at YouTube.

The following episodes are now available at Google Video.

Episode 205 click beleow.


Episode 201


Episdoe 102


Episode 104


Episode 108

Turning in a Program to SPNN

If you would like to submit a program to SPNN you must first be a member. There are several other steps you need to take. Those steps are described in the video below. You can also visit our website at www.spnn.org to find out more information.

Video Compression

I've had lots of requests on compression and uploading to the web. No matter what video share service you are using or if you are putting it on your own website, you will need to compress the video.

In this piece Sarah Rudek gives us the basics and shows some examples.

MOTM-Gordon Leverett

One of our past members of the month was Gordon Leverett. He works on a program called the Maximus Report which airs on SPNN channel 15 on Thursday nights at 8PM.

Check out the segment access staff, Sherine Crooms, put together.

ATA 201

Did you miss the October episode of All Things Access. Well here is your chance to watch it. This episosde includes, The Vantage Point, MOTM Carlos Garcia Velasco, tech tip- White balancing in the studio, and an interview on the Wabash Caves.

Why Do They Do That?

This is to give people insight as to why we make the decisions we make, using real examples.

A member was working on his/her hard drive. It was set to expire the next day. Member A came to me and asked if the drive could be extended. Understanding that life sometimes gets in the way and we don't get things done when we should, but also knowing that member A had the drive for 71 days(or ten weeks)and that there was ample notification that the drive was set to expire and taking in the needs for the member who needs the drive next, I gave an extension of two days. Normally we don't give any extensions, but in this case since the drive wasn't going to be used right away, staff would have time to reformat the drive, and taking in special circumstances, assuring that the extension would be a one time deal the extension was granted.

After granting the extension, member A asked why we didn't allow members to pay an additional fee to allow members to keep the drive (and by extension other equipment for additional time). Now keep in mind that once the drive expires, the member can reserve another drive to start immediately if there is one available. There are two reasons why this would not be acceptable.

1. It would be unethical to allow this behavior. Allowing members to buy their way to additional use flies in the face of our mission. If members are allowed to buy more time, then it puts people who don't have the funds at a disadvantage over those who do. It begins to feel like we can be bribed to give preferences to members who can afford to pay for them.

2. It doesn't take into account the poor member who has the drive or gear after Member A. If we allow members to start buying additional days then we have a more difficult job of juggling competing needs of members.

Call for Films

Next Generation Awareness Foundation, Inc. Seeks Notable Films, Documentaries and Participants for Consideration for its 2007 Programs

THE EXCITING FOLLOW-UP TO THIS YEAR'S OSCAR-WINNING PREMIERES
THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE ANOTHER SET OF HISTORIC EVENTS:
Historians, Celebrities and Notable Guests
TV/Newspaper/Magazine/Radio Reviews, Interviews and Appearances

Visit www.UrbanFilmSeries.com for Details, Instructions & Info on Prior Years
__________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS


Artists, Directors and Filmmakers: Please submit press packets with your submissions, alternatively, you may submit a 1-page biographical description of your submission and your vitae. Include a self-addressed and stamped return package. Film and video entries must be on DVD (if DVD avialable) and/or (standard) 1/2' VHS video (NTSC) ~ DVD Copies Must Be Available for Screenings, unless otherwise agreed upon. Shorts, Features, Documentaries and Children's films are encouraged. Please include a money order or cashier's check for the $20 processing fee with your entry; $35 if submitting for multiple programs; an additional $10 late fee will apply for packages postmarked after respective deadlines. Must be made out to "Next Generation Awareness Foundation".

Send all submissions to:
Project Coordinator
{Name of Program For Which You Are Submitting
2007 Programs If For All Programs}
Next Generation Awareness Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 6885
Alexandria, Virginia 22306

Phone: 202-409-7240

Email: UrbanFilmSeries@ hotmail.com (if with attachments)
Info@ UrbanFilmSeries.com (if without attachments)

The Following should Follow INSTRUCTIONS at UrbanFilmSeries.com
Vendors
City or Partnership Proposals
Sponsors
Press
Volunteers


http://www.urbanfilmseries.com

All Things Access-February

Take a look at our full length ATA piece from February.

Wrapping Cables

Wrapping cables. I think it is an art form. An art form that most don't master. But we do ask that you do your best.

Inside the cable are tons of tiny little cables. When you wrap a cable incorrectly, you damage the tiny cables inside. When the tiny cables inside are damaged, the cable no longer works.

The rule of thumb is over and under, but mostly follow the natural curve of the cable, make sure there are no kinks in the cable and that it hangs neatly without being twisted.

If you are unsure of how to wrap the cable, ask at the desk and we will give you a demonstration. If you bring it in wrapped incorrectly, we will make you rewrap the cable.

A Girl Like Me

CELEBRATE!: LOVIN' THE SKIN I'M IN WITH
AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER KIRI DAVIS, A GIRL LIKE ME

SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH, 6:30 P.M.
AT DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MINNEAPOLIS

A Girl Like Me, an 8-minute documentary Kiri Davis produced and directed when she was only 16, explores the standards of beauty imposed on today's black girls and how this affects their self-image. A key element of the film is a recreation of the Dr. Kenneth Clark black doll-white doll experiment made famous during the 1954 landmark desegregation case Brown v. Board of Education. SoulTouch Productions is presenting the event in partnership with African American Family Services, Camphor United Methodist Church, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter The Links, Inc., Southside Community Health Services and the Walker Arts Center's Women with Vision International Film Fest. The "Celebration" will also feature the voices and talents of young women and men representing the Lovin' the Skin I'm In movement, and surprise guests.

Inspired by award-winning novelist Sharon G. Flake's The Skin I'm In, the goal of the Lovin' the Skin I'm In movement is to address the common yet painful issues of adolescence as experienced by African American youth. That's why Robin Hickman, executive producer of SoulTouch Productions is a part of developing the literary work into a feature film as well as working with young students who have read the book and are contributing their personal reflections of what it means to love the skin they're in. Hickman's work with the Lovin' movement also has an educational component: because Hickman in her own words believes 'it is crucial to teach these young people the historical origins of negative legacies within our community, as well as the impact of images and stereotypes in the media.' According to Black Women's Health, Black people account for approximately 25% of the mental health needs in this country though they only make up 11- 12% of the national population. To make matters worse, only 2% of the nation's psychologists are Black. The rates of mental health problems are higher than average for Black women because of psychological factors that result directly from their experience as Black Americans. These experiences include racism, cultural alienation, and violence and sexual exploitation. The past three years Lovin' has engaged a diverse group of young people in a media arts, social impact and creative expression initiative, which explores societal standards of beauty and media influences on self-esteem and identity. Proactively engaging the communities they serve is a hallmark of the operating philosophies of event partnership and other individuals and organizations in the Lovin' movement.

In addition to the screening of A Girl Like Me at the event, the public can check-out the film as part of the Science Museum's RACE exhibit. During her energetic and inspiring tour of the Twin Cities, on Thursday, March 8th Kiri will spend the day at the Walker Art Center meeting with youth from various Twin Cities media arts programs, A Girl will be showing at the Walker throughout March. Kiri will also be visiting schools and community groups during her time in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Equipment Use

Please remember is you are having issues with the equipment let someone at the access desk know, no matter how big or small. When using the tripod if you notice the legs slipping or not tightening all the way, please let us know. Through ordinary wear and tear the screw that holds the knob needs to be tightened. It just takes an Allen Wrench. So a mention from, you a minute of my time and it saves stress for the next user, and that next user may be YOU!

I know sometimes people are afraid to mention things that might not be working properly because they don't want to be blamed. A lot of things are simple fixes or are through ordinary use, it would be better if you mentioned it so we can fix it. If we catch it early and it doesn't cost us anything, there is no charge to you either!

The equipment you use is in the shape it is because members either choose to take care of it or don't. Don't be a member who adds to the abuse the equipment gets. When you come you want it to be in working order for you, leave it in the same shape for someone else.

Copyright Rules

If you are looking for some helpful hints on copyright, check the following sites out. A member passed them on to me.

http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Podcasting_Legal_Guide

http://www.law.duke.edu/cspd/comics/digital.html


Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke
Univ. has a 78 page comic book presentation available
as PDF or as animated flash video. I've begun to read
the comic book. It's an example of creative info
presentation that certainly took some time for them to
create.

Hometown Awards

IT'S HOMETOWN TIME.


A groovy new Hometown website features ON-LINE ENTRY (yes it's true and
it works great).

Go to www.alliancecm.org and click on the Hometown banner.

Fill out the entry form, download the PDF of the Support Information
Form.

The website will send you an e-mail with a printable version of your
entryform or you can use the print function in your browser to print the
entry form after you submit it. COPIES OF THE ENTRY FORMS AND SUPPORT
INFORMATION MUST BE MAILED WITH YOUR TAPE OR DVD. Please do not send
them separately. No payments are accepted on the website. Checks/
Purchase Order/ or Charge Form must be sent with your entry.


ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 28, 2007

Light Meters

Have you always wondered what a light meter does or how to use it? Wonder no more, we have the answers. In this six minute video Steve Brunsberg, a SPNN Producer, tells how when we should use the light meter, how to understand what the light meter is telling us, and how it will improve our picture.

Video is a complicated tool to tell your story. Using certain tools of the trade can drastically improve your picture quality and audio. Both are important for people to want to hear your story. This video will help you increase your picture quality with good lighting.

Action Alert

Send a Message to the House Today: STOP THE FCC!Take Action Today at: http://saveaccess.org/node/726

From the Save Access website:

The new House Commerce & Telecommunications Subcommittee meets on Thursday, Feb. 15th to review the FCC. This annual Q/A of the FCC by the House Subcommittee is yet another important moment for us to respond to the December 20th FCC Ruling on Video Franchising. That FCC ruling went far deeper than the failed Congressional legislation of last year in attacking Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access channels and facilities. It also threatens local municipalities ability to exercise control over their 'rights of way" and provides little protection against the red-lining of entire communities. Worse of all, the FCC hearing on the matter was rife with inaccuracies and half-truths that even the phone companies backed away from. Such behavior by a Federal agency is reprehensible and we demand full accountability now! The organizations representing cities, along with the Alliance for Community Media, have promised a lawsuit - but we need for members of the House to hear from the people and respond accordingly. Congressional intervention can stop this mess now!Please take a moment today to send our letter to your elected representatives and key members of the House Subcommittee! We have to ensure that 'local video franchising' is on the top of the House list of problematic issues with the FCC.

And though we are seriously miffed about this mess, we have a proper and polite letter you can send to your Representative and key members of the House Commerce SubcommitteeTake Action Today at: http://saveaccess.org/node/726

Wassenaar testifies for House Committee

Here is video of Mike Wassenaar's testimony before the House Telecom Regulation/ Infrastructure Committee from Feb. 2, 2007.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5308169259017726144&hl=en

PBS stations may be hit by Bush budget

It appears the Bush's budget will have a harmful affect for Public Television Stations. His 2007 fiscal year proposes substantial budget cuts for PBS.

Read the whole story at http://tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=11508

Should there be censorship for Access TV

In Lowell, MA late night viewers got more than they bargained for when they tuned into the local access channel. Viewers were outraged and it brings up the question of what is to much for a community. Most access channels have a community standards policy in place. Most stations also follow FCC guidelines on obscenity. SPNN puts the burden on producers. If there is adult content or material not suitable for all audiences, it is up to the producer to notify SPNN so it airs after 10PM. When filling out the Playback Release Form for each episode, producers must also state that no material is obscene, libelous, slanderous, nor an invasion of privacy or public right. If the producer has material that is either adult content or obscene and fails to mention it on the form, it is grounds for suspension of the membership and program.

For the full article on the Lowell situation follow the link.
https://mail.spnn.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.lowellsun.com/front/ci_5168303

The Cold Affects Gear

Just like in the summer when the heat can affect cameras, so can the cold. Cameras should not be left outdoors or in your car at all this time of year. The DSR 250 should not be used or stored below freezing or above 100 degrees, according to the Sony Manual. Similar recommendations are made for the PD 170 as well as the decks.

Cameras aren't the only gear having issues in the cold weather, tripods also suffer from fragility. When metal and plastic get cold they are more likely to snap. We had a tripod come in last week that had a piece of metal snap off the tripod. We believe it was due to being stored in the cold then brought into a building to shoot and when the quick release plate knob was used it just sheared off the metal piece.

Please be aware of safe operating and storage procedure for the gear. For safety purposes you should never leave the camera in the car, but for mechanical reasons you should also never leave the camera or tripods in a car in the winter or summer months. If the gear is damaged due to mishandling, you will be held financially responsible.

When you are traveling with the gear make sure to have it in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, not the trunk. Even a half hour trip with the camera in the trunk in the weather can have disastrous affects.

Reality Series focus on Film makers

You Tube has certainly brought focus to local video producers. First it was the super bowl when Doritoes let a amateur produce their super bowl ad. Now Spielberg and Burnett have joined forces to come up with a reality series that will pit 16 aspiring filmmakers in a contest for a $1-million development deal with DreamWorks.

For the whole story visit http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070207.BURNETT07/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Movies/

FINES

I want to take a moment to remind members that it is your responsibility to return your gear on time. After you have missed your check in time, we call to let you know you are late. We do this to try to get the equipment back before someone else needs it. If you are more than a half an hour late, regardless if it comes in the same day, you have to pay a fine. The first fine is $10, 2nd offense is $20, 3rd offense is $30, the fourth time in the same year it is a $50 fine AND suspension for three months. If the behavior repeats itself after the suspension is over the fees double and the suspension is six months. Continued behavior will result in permanent suspension.

When you bring equipment back late, it affects its use for some one else. Just as you expect the gear to be here when you want it, the gear needs to be returned so it is here when some one else needs it.

It is equally important when scheduling edit room and studio time to also be on time. Frequent failures to show on time or cancellations will result in fines and suspension. We have limited resources and we need to make sure that everyone has the ability to take advantage of them. When you schedule use of the facility you are taking away the ability for some one else to use the same facility. So please use the facility or cancel far enough in advance so others can take advantage of the facility.

Thanks form the Access desk.

Set Pieces

This shot is of the black curtain behind Sherine with the frosted plexi in the frame. We then took a light with a teal gel to shine on the frosted plex from behind. This is the result. We have a bunch of different colored gels to use. You can also use the cyclorama as the back drop with different color on it. There are so many ways to use the new set pieces. In March or April we will have a workshop on set design. It will use the pieces we have and how to create your own unique look.

Feel free to play with things, but make sure to be careful. The pieces are fragile and if you break them you will be held responsible.

The Mary Hanson Show receives an Award

Mary Hanson Receives Award for Making the Community a Better Place


The Metropolitan Community Churches recently awarded Mary Hanson, host and producer of the nation¹s longest-running cable TV show, the first annual Troy D. Perry Living the Vision Award. The award will be given every year to a person who makes the community a better place.

Reverend Paul Eknes-Tucker of All God¹s Children Church in Minneapolis presented the award stating, "Mary brings out the best in her guests ­ eliciting information, knowledge and wisdom."

"The Mary Hanson Show" is celebrating its 27th anniversary on cable and its 14th year on TPT. Among other awards, the show has also won the Minnesota Medical Association¹s Media Award for Excellence in Medical Journalism, the Minnesota Educational Association¹s award for best in-depth TV program, the CARE Award from the Mental Health Association in Hennepin County (given annually to one individual for efforts in promoting mental health), and the Minnesota Psychiatrist¹s Association¹s award for Excellence in the Media.


Watch for these upcoming shows on the Metro Cable Network, Channel 6, on Monday nights at 9 PM: Also watch SPNN channel 15 Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

The Arctic Expedition
Wolves in Minnesota
An Interview with Amy Klobuchar
Sally & George Pillsbury on Leadership
The Minnesota International Center
Toxins in Our Midst

CTV has a Job Opening

Position Title: Facility Coordinator

Position Purpose: This fulltime position is responsible for the upkeep
of CTV's facility, oversight of the internship program, develop program
and production ideas, the provision of assistance to staff and
volunteers, the development with other staff of CTV productions, and
articles for CTV Publications. Candidate must have ability to operate
and understand equipment for a TV studio and edit suites. Salary
$23,000 to $25,000 and excellent benefit package. Send resume to CTV15,
Attn: HR Department, 950 Woodhill Dr., Roseville, MN. 55113 or call for
application: (651) 792-7515. Deadline 2/9/07

Please contact CTV for more information.

Ramsey Talks

This weeks episode of Ramsey Talks deals with the proposed light rail tracks in St. Paul. This is a good overview of the different proposed routes, how it would affect traffic, commuting, and buisnesses. This is an important issue to St. Paul residents. The program airs at 6pm on Wednesday night and again 11 am Thursday morning.

Youth Video on Racism

This is a video a youth producer did on race. This aired on the affiliate ABC station in Seattle. The filmmaker Kiri Davis (17 from Bkyln) will hopefully be at the Girl in the Director's Chair series and "A Girl Like Me" (her doc) is supposed to screen there in March as part of the series. Her documentary mentor is Shola Lynch ("Shirley Chisolm Unbought, Unbossed") and the documentary is based on a sociological study that was conducted by Dr. Kenneth Clark in the 60's in which he asked a series of Black children to choose between a Black and White doll and to select the one they most preferred, or thought to be the prettiest, smartest etc. The study yielded, shocking (to some) results that degrading media images actually have an effect on the way people perceive themselves and their community and now with the re-emergence of the topic this demonstrates that not so much has changed.
Here is a link to the Seattle video

http://www.komotv.com/home/video/5001856.html?video=YHI&t=a

US Senate Hearing

From the Save Access Site:

4000 individuals sent letters over the last four days to the Senate Commerce Committee. More than 80,000 letters in total were received by committee members. Thanks to everyone who helped out.

There is an archive streaming link of the hearing on the Senate site.

To see related past articles and the blog from Save Access go to http://saveaccess.org/node/688

House Telecom Reform/Regulation Committee

Here is the testimony that Mike Wassenaar gave this morning.

My name is Mike Wassenaar. I am the Executive Director of the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, the non-profit community access television center for Saint Paul. I also serve as the chair of the Alliance for Community Media, a national organization which has supported the work of Public, Educational, and Government or PEG access television channels and facilities across the United States for the last thirty years. I have been asked to present a brief look at Minnesota’s experience with PEG television, and give some perspective about the state’s role in helping Minnesota communities use television to support community education, better inform our citizens, and strengthen local culture.

Public, Educational and Govenrment channels have a strong history in Minnesota. Since the early 1980s, municipalities and community groups have used the cable television franchising process to help provide local media content to their citizens through cable. In 2007, there are some twenty different PEG operations serving approximately 50 municipalities in the Twin Cities, and there are approximately 60 local channel providers across the State of Minnesota. This compares with approximately 40 operations in Wisconsin, 30 in Iowa, and a handful of operations in the Dakotas. Minnesota is actually a leader among the states in providing PEG services to its citizens.

PEG facilities in Minnesota range from larger, urban and suburban operations, serving tens of thousands of households, to much smaller facilities in communities throughout Greater Minnesota. In some communities, the local government operates one channel carrying government meetings, school content, and publicly produced programs. In other cities with greater communication needs, local communities have negotiated for more channels on the local cable system to carry more content. For example, in Saint Paul, there are six channels carrying PEG content, and a seventh state mandated PEG channel, Metro Channel 6.

One of the unique characteristics of the cable franchising process in Minnesota has been its responsiveness to local need and circumstance. For PEG community television, this has meant the development of many solutions for local communication needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The community television operation in Little Falls can be set up in the area High School, and coordinate its operations with the school’s curriculum; in Saint Peter, in can be in the local recreation center. In some communities, production centers have been located as anchor tenants in once vacant shopping malls, where the PEG facility acts as a center of community development. My favorite example of this comes not from Minnesota, but from our neighboring state Wisconsin, where WalMart left Wisconsin Rapids, and town leaders were faced with what to with the vacant building in their commercial center. They decided to build a Senior Center and Community Television Center as a way to increase the social connectedness of their community.

Another effect of this localized process is that governance of channels varies in each locality. Some PEG operations are run by a government or municipal office; others by a school district; others by a non-profit that contracts for service with a local government; and in smaller communities, operations are run by individual volunteers. As well, some municipalities have chosen to have PEG operations run by the local cable operator. In a similar fashion, funding of operations varies by locality. Funding typically comes from cable subscribers either from the franchise fee cities negotiate with cable companies, or from a separate PEG fee negotiated to support the operations. In Saint Paul’s example, viewers pay $1.50 per month to support PEG operations, separate from the franchise fee our City negotiated with the cable provider. An independent poll of cable subscribers in St Paul conducted by the Wilder Research Center in 2003 found that viewers of the cable system were comfortable with paying that amount for the service they received, and would actually pay a higher amount if necessary.

One characteristic common to all PEG operations is their mission to serve as part of the civic communications backbone in their locale. Government channels public safety and emergency communications to citizens. As well, they carry local meeting coverage and help citizens understand the workings of their government, replay programs at convenient times for viewers who can’t attend meetings, and increasingly they make those meetings available to viewers on the internet in either a streamed or archived fashion. Just as importantly, public access channels give citizens and political candidates the ability to express political views in an open, unbiased and unfiltered format throughout the state. In many Minnesota communities, the only television media that covers local political debates is community access television.

That local presence is important in communities like Willmar, which has approximately 4500 cable subscribers, and has an increasingly diverse community which now demands educational programming in Spanish, English and Somali. Willmar’s PEG center operates three channels, with two and a half staff, and airs approximately 11,000 hours of local content each year. Compare that with an operation like North West Community Television in Brooklyn Park, which serves nine communities in the west Metro, and is probably the largest access and community television operation in Minnesota. NWCT serves 75,000 cable subscribers on the Comcast system and produces daily news programming for its communities. Even though it is located close to the heart of the Twin Cities media markets, residents will tell you that NWCT is the best and most consistent provider of television news and public information that focuses on life in their area.

Another example of local service and local response by PEG happens in Saint Paul each year, when our station works with a local synagogue to provide high holy services to the elderly who are shut in and cannot attend ceremonies. We can’t put a dollar value on the meaning that creates for the elderly, their families and the congregation. As a non-profit that serves all religious denominations in Saint Paul, and supports religious expression, we have the ability to provide this level of service in a way that government
perhaps cannot.

One other unique aspect of community television in Minnesota is the heavy concentration of ethnic and non-English television production that takes place in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. For example, between our center and Minneapolis Telecommunication Network, there are nine regularly produced programs by, for and about the Somali Minnesotan community, ranging from political discussion, to popular entertainment, community health, language instruction and vocational education. Some of the producers of these programs are professional producers trained by the BBC, and Italian and German state television in Somalia who now want to better the refugee community now making its home in Minnesota. Community television played a similar acculturating and educational role with Minnesota’s Hmong community through the 1990s, when SPNN was the home to the first public television program in Hmong in the United States, Kev Koom Siab. PEG channels in the Twin Cities provide an important outlet that diverse communities cannot find in the commercial media market.

One final aspect of PEG community television is the economic benefit that local communities derive from their operation. For many artists, religious organizations, community groups and non-profits, the cost of media technology and training is prohibitive. Production centers make computer and media technology tools and training available to the public much like a public library provides useful community education. We can put a dollar value on this worth. For example, in 2006 in Saint Paul, the public acquired in-kind media technology service and production equipment use at our studios that were worth the equivalent of $1 million. This has a real impact on the non-profit and creative economy in our community. There is a similar effect in cities of all sizes across Minnesota.



I want to leave you with several brief observations about what the state can do in the future to assist these operations as you deliberate this session. One recommendation is to act like a well-trained doctor and first do no harm. Minnesota law has encouraged an important civic sector to flourish in the last 25 years. Many states that have tinkered with their cable franchising laws in the last few years have put forward one-size-all solutions that fit no community well, and the jury is still out as to how well they accelerate infrastructure investment and spur price competition in cable. In one instance, state legislation has severely cut channel capacity and financial support for PEG operations, forcing them out of operation. Many proposed laws in other states say that PEG channels can exist, but the financial mechanisms that allow them to flourish – particularly PEG fees that companies and communities negotiate - should be eliminated. This in effect places an extra burden on municipalities and creates an unfunded mandate. The State has already done this through its mandate of Metro Channel 6, which is a mandated channel in the Twin Cities that has no sustainable funding mechanism. Creating more situations like this will hurt communities in Minnesota.

Second, all of the PEG operations I talk with welcome cable competition and want their services to go to more people in their communities. However, they do not want government to choose winners and losers in the marketplace, and they want their services to reach the entire community. This means that PEG programming should be carried and supported by cable competitors in an equitable fashion, as Minnesota law currently allows, and that governments have equivalent build out requirements for cable competitors. It makes no sense for community service benefits like PEG to only accrue to certain consumers who have been chosen by an industry. If a community wants these services, they should have the ability to allow them to flourish.

Lastly, I would encourage you to consider ways for our industry to grow capacity and expand services to all Minnesotans. One small example is by furthering the financial support or creating incentives for captioned services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Currently, few if any local PEG programmers have staff time or technical capacity to provide this necessary service for a growing sector of Minnesotans. From talking with service providers working with deaf and hard of hearing communities, I can tell you there is a definite need for more public safety, community education, and public information available via video captioning.
With that I conclude my remarks, and thank you for this opportunity.

The House Telecom Reform/Infastructure Committee

The committee met this morning. Among the things discussed, our own Mike Wassenaar gave testimony on what PEG Access stations are and how they are formed. He talked a bit about franchising. I will try to get a copy of his testimony and post it here. It was just a question and answer session for ten minutes.

The committee did take up their first bill today as well. It was a bill on call center performance. The bill is HF116. You can track this bill at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/. You can sign up for a service to get notices on this bill. You can also find out the schedule of this committee at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committee.asp?comm=8002.

Picking up/ submitting Programs

I want to remind everyone that you should pick up your tapes after they have finished airing at SPNN. Because of limited space, we can only keep about eight tapes per member. Please call the access desk at 651-298-8908 24 hours before you want to pick up your tape. We will then have it waiting for you. Also remember to never give us the orginal tape. Sometimes the tapes get eaten in a deck or gets misplaced. When you sign the form you are saying that we are only responsible for replacing the blank tape, not the information on the tape. So please keep this in mind when you are turning in your program. You can make a firewire copy of your show on our dub rack. You will not lose any quality this way.

Member of the Month

Robin Wilcox has been a member of SPNN for the last year. She came to SPNN to produce a short film and is currently writing and appears in an on going sitcom called "Won't You Be My Neighbor". She is taking time off this summer to work on a short film. Watch the video to find out more about Robin.

House Telecom Regulation/Infrastructure Committee Meeting

The MN House Telecom Regulation/ Infrastructure committee is headed by St. Paul Rep. Sheldon Johnson. The committee will be meeting FRIDAY, February 2, 2007 at 8:00 AM in Room: 200 State Office Building. The Agenda will include Presentations by Office of Enterprise Technology and St Paul Neighborhood Network. HF116 (Atkins) Customer sales and service call center requirements imposed. The committee meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend. The cable companies and phone companies have been talking with committee members about changing the rules governing how franchise agreements are reached. This could impact Access Centers. Mike Wassenaar, Executive Director of SPNN will be testifying at the committee on Friday.

Action Alert

Go to Save Access to take action. There is a link of to the side.

The new Senate Commerce Committee meets on Thursday this week in a Hearing entitled: "Assessing the Communications Marketplace: A View from the FCC".

This annual Q/A of the FCC by the Senate Committee is an important moment for us to respond to the December 20th FCC Ruling on Video Franchising. That FCC ruling went far deeper than the failed Congressional legislation of last year in attacking Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Access channels and facilities. It also threatens local municipalities ability to exercise control over their 'rights of way" and provides little protection against the red-lining of entire communities. Worse of all, the FCC hearing on the matter was rife with inaccuracies and half-truths that even the phone companies backed away from. Such behavior by a Federal agency is reprehensible and we demand full accountability now!

The organizations representing cities, along with the Alliance for Community Media, have promised a lawsuit - but we need for the Senate to hear from the people and respond accordingly. Congressional intervention can stop this mess now!

Please take a moment today to send our letter to the Senate committee! We have to ensure that 'local video franchising' is on the Senate's list of problematic issues with the FCC (because it's a long list!). And though we are seriously miffed about this mess, we have a proper and polite letter you can send to all the members of the Senate Commerce Committee right here.

Multi Camera Shoot

One way to step up your game without wasting tons of time editing is to do a mulit-camera shoot. We have a switcher with a digital deck, two cameras and audio mixer that can be checked out. You can utilize this piece of equipment to for bands, interviews, or whatever strikes your fancy. The class is January 30th at 6:30. Cost is $20. You will learn the switcher, the headsets, and cameras in a way to have a successful multi camera shoot.

You Tube

Get yourself on one of the hottest video websites. You Tube can host video up to 100 mg and ten minutes in length. In this workshop you will learn how to compress your video using iMovie or FCE and then upload that video to You Tube. The workshop is Tuesday, January 23 at 6:30pm. The cost is right, FREE! Come check it out.

Also don't forget the studio lighting workshop is also that night at 6:30pm.

Lighting Workshop

Lighting can set the mood, or no mood at all if it is used inappropriately. Lighting can be subtle or dramatic and it is so much more than just flooding the set with light. Learn when to use gels, how to set the tone, and how to create the mood from our professional production staff. Now good lighting takes years of practice and lots of trial and error. This workshop is not intended to be the “be all end all “of what you need to know, but instead to give you some frames of reference of what lighting can do, techniques to accomplish your goal and a place to start playing with lighting. The workshop will be held on January 23rd starting at 6:30. Cost for the workshop is $10.

New Set Pieces have arrived!

SPNN contracted with Troy Schaefer to build some new set pieces for us. The two proto types have arrived. They are metal frames with pexiglass inserts they also have a spandex sock that can fit over the frame. Both can be used as is or lit with different gels to give them color. Next time you are in the studio check them out. Right now we have two. We will be ordering four more to complete the set to make sure we have enough to satisfy members needs. We also plan to order more inserts so that the look can change with each show. The idea is to make sure there are options for members to utilize to make their show unique. We'd like to have a set design workshop in the Spring to help members utilize the pieces.

iDVD Workshop

Don't forget the iDVD workshop this Saturday at 11am. Learn how to make profesional looking DVD's to hand out to friends, clients, and guests. Cost is only $20.

Also we are closed on Monday, January 15th for Martine Luther King Day. Please plan accordingly. This will mean if you check out gear on Friday you will have an extra day since you won't be able to return it until Tuesday.

Interview with Rep. Sheldon Johnson

Last week I interviewed Rep. Sheldon Johnson for the January edition of All Things Access. We spoke about what he sees as important legislative issues this session as well as what he sees impacting St. Paul residents. Listen below.

A Film Challenge

I just got this Film Challenge via an email. I am posting it so people find out about it, but I don't any more information than what's contained below. Please contact those in charge of the challenge for more information.

SIGN UP NOW FOR THE SCREENLABS CHALLENGE
>
> THE THEME: "A Simple Twist of Fate"
>
> Historic, metaphoric, anamorphic, allegoric... the
> choices are all yours!
>
> THE LOCATION: Stone Arch Bridge (downtown
> Minneapolis)
>
> Tell a story, make a moving 12 minute short
> picture, and take the ScreenLabs Challenge.
>
> For more information we invite you to visit the
> ScreenLabs Challenge web site, read the rules and
> sign up for the Challenge.
>
> We want to keep the application process for
> ScreenLabs Challenge simple and direct. It costs
> nothing to register, you will not be
> under any obligation to finish a film by
> registering, and there is a online form to use so
> you'll even save your money on postage.
>
> http://www.screen-labs.com/drupal/
>
> Our purpose with online registration is to
> determine the level of community interest how we can
> best assist you will completing the ScreenLabs
> Challenge.
>
> Please sign up before JANUARY 15TH, 2007
>
> You can start writing anytime! Fortunately, you
> will have much more than 48 hours to write your
> script but don't use that as an
> excuse to procrastinate, stare at the white page,
> and delay. Start NOW! Win Prizes!
>
> Completed short films will be submitted on DVD by
> June 15th, 2007
>
> Thanks, good writing and good luck!
>
> -- The ScreenLabs Team!
>
> screenlabschallenge@mac.com

iDVD Workshop

An iDVD workshop will be held on January 13th at 11am. This class will allow you to utilize the iDVD software to make professional looking DVD’s with menus, chapters, and animation. You can than hand the DVD’s out to your friends, family, potential clients and funding sources. Cost of the workshop is $10.

January Member of the Month

We just wrapped up taping our January episode of All Things Access. We are highlighting Helen Broderick for this month's member. Helen works on the Active Generation and City Passport shows. She has been a member for over a year. She has taken the camera, editing and studio classes. Broderick is responsible for helping to set up the studio, some directing and audio work for studio shoots. The shows focus on information for Seniors. She works with Mike Rossberg to make this show happen. Helen has also worked on many other productions as well. Watch this month's All Things Access to find out more about Helen. ATA airs on channel 15 Wednesdays at 7pm.

FCC Rules in favor of Phone Companies

Last week the FCC offered a ruling that changes the way cable franchises are offered to new entrants and throws the ball into the court of the States.

Currently if a cable company desires to offer services in a particular city, said cable company has to agree to serve the entire city. Phone companies have said that this rule limits the ability for competition to come in to a city. The FCC apparently narrowly agrees with phone companies. The new ruling would allow new entrants to service certain areas within a city, without servicing the entire city. This could lead to disparity of resources within a city.

Previously cities also regularly were able to negotiate for public access channels (like SPNN) and services for schools. Under the new ruling cities would be limited to the 5% franchise fee from new entrants into the cable TV market. Currently cities can use the 5% franchise fee to offset the general budget or put it directly into access centers. Some cities not only receive the 5% franchise fee, but also an additional PEG fee that goes directly to support public, education, and government access centers. Withholding this funding would be a determinant to access centers.

The ball moves to the state’s court. The FCC has stated that states creating their own cable TV franchising agencies to take over the work from cities or counties will be exempt from the rule changes.

I talked with State Rep. Sheldon Johnson (St. Paul) for January’s All Things Access episode about the upcoming legislative session. Rep. Johnson is the chair of the House Telecom Regulation/Infrastructure Division committee. Johnson has already been approached both by telecom companies and cable companies to discuss the impacts of a state bill on telecom and franchising. It appears that this year the fight will not only be in congress, but at the state level as well.

It appears the FCC rulings may be challenged in court and it appears Congress my also revive legislation stalled this past year. Between court challenges, Congress, and the state legislature it seems we will have a busy year.

To read the entire article from the Star and Tribune go to http://www.startribune.com/535/story/889084.html

To read the article from the New York Times go to http://www.nytimes.com/cnet/CNET_2100-1036_3-6145184.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Final Cut Express Workshop

Have you out grown iMovie? Would you like to have more control over the audio and graphics? Final Cut Express is your answer. Sherine Crooms will be teaching the class on January 10 and 11. This is a two day workshop that meets 6:30-8:30 both nights. You must have experience with iMovie or another non linear edit system before taking the class. The class size is limited so be sure to pre-register. Cost for the class is $40. Call the access desk at 651-298-8908 for more information or to register or email schumacher@spnn.org.

All Things Access

Watch for our next All Things Access show. We will be talking with Representative Sheldon Johnson. The legislature will be starting back up in January and the balance of power has shifted slightly. We will explore what a DFL held house and senate in the MN legislature means to St. Paul. We will also visit with Representative Johnson to see what his priorities are for this session. The program will air through the month of January on Wednesday nights at 7pm on Channel 15. The tech tip will be on utilizing the internet to gain a wider audience for your show by putting your program on You Tube. We will also have our member of the month and an update from the Youth Department. Tune in to see it who we will profile this month!

member of the month October.

Each month on our All Things Access show we try to highlight a member. This gives insight as to why people work on productins, their passions and what there next projects are. In October we highlighted Bettie Foster-Crowe, Find out what makes her tick.

December Member of the Month

Great things can happen when people work together. This is the story of three Hmong members who work together to tape the multi day Hmong New Year event. Hear their story.

Public Action Needed

PUBLIC ACTION NEEDED!


EMAIL/CALL CONGRESS TO STOP FCC!

(FCC DN MB 05-311)
The Alliance for Community Media has set up a site to make it easy for you, your friends, relatives and supporters to write your Congressional delegation. Congress needs to know that the FCC is on the verge of taking Congressional power as they rewrite cable law. It is important for Congress to know that their constituents are active in community media and that you are ready to fight.

The rules of this process are written against your interests. You are not allowed to call or write the FCC right now, but your Congress-members can.

Being written out of the law by the FCC:


* Support for Public, Education and Government Access Channels: GONE!
* Channel capacity for Public, Education and Government Access Channels from new providers. GONE!
* Your city's right to reasonable payment by the telephone and cable companies who make billions of dollars using public land. GONE!
* Your city's public safety and educational communication systems. GONE!

The rules will be rewritten Wednesday. Only your Congress-members can stop the FCC now. Tell them to support your community. Tell them to forward your concerns to the FCC NOW!

For easy email message, paste into your browser:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ACM/campaign/?campaign_KEY=6326&t

-or-

Link from www.alliancecm.org

Please circulate this call to action far and wide.




Anthony T. Riddle
Alliance for Community Media
666 11th Street NW, Suite 740
Washington, DC 20001
202.393.2650 p, 202.393.2653 f

All Things Access

For our January episode we will be talking with one of St. Paul's State Representatives. Rep Sheldon Johnson will be joining us in studio to talk about the upcoming MN legislative session. The balance of power has shifted from a Republican controlled House to Democrats. This shift in power has led to Rep Johnson being placed as chair of the telecom reform committee. We will talk with Representative Johnson about what he views the important issues are this session as well as the priorities of the DFL. Watch the month of January Wednesdays at 7p.m.

SPNN will be closed the following dates:

We will be closed on December 24 and 25th for the Christmas Holiday and December 31st and January 1st for the New Year’s Holiday. Please plan accordingly.

How to get better looking video

Sherine Crooms, SPNN Access Assistant, walks us through a couple of steps that can turn your ordianry looking video into something that has dimension and catches the eye. The following tech tip is from our December show. It is currently airing on Channel 15 at 7pm.

Take a peak, at the light side.

Tech tip: Studio audio

Are you new to using the studio, or maybe just not sure on using the audio board? Take a peek at the tech tip below. David Zierott, one of SPNN's professional producers, walks us though setting levels, what a compressor is and WHY you would want to use on in the studio. This is helpful for everyone. This segment is a part of the November All Things Access show. The show airs every Wednesday at 7pm. There is a new tech tip each month, as well as a member update, interview with some in the St. Paul community and lots of other wonderful tips. Check us out at 7pm on channel 15 in St. Paul.

Now learn more about how to get good sounding audio in the studio.

Workshops that shall soon be here

I know I have been delinquent in posting on my blog. It is my pre-New Year's resolution to post at least once per week. To be fair I was on vacation for two weeks in November, although that doesn't explain the lack of posts before or after.

But onto the promised upcoming workshops. We will be holding a Final Cut Express Workshop on both December 18 and 20. Both classes start at 6:30 and you MUST attend both nights. Cost of the class is $40. Please RSVP to the access desk at 651-298-8908 or email me at schumacher@spnn.org if you would like to sign up for the class. Seating is limited so make sure to plan ahead.

Get away from the hustle and bustle that becomes this time of year with the Producer Night on December 21st at 6:30p.m. Relax and enjoy networking with fellow producers (or editors, etc.). Bring a five minute sample of your work and see what others are working on. We'll have festive holiday cookies, drinks, and fun. Even if you don't have anything to show this is a fabulous (my new word) way to meet people who might be willing to help on your shoots, or to meet people you can volunteer for. I hope to see you on the 21st!

We will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25. Please plan accordingly.

Final Cut Express

We will be offering a Final Cut express class on November 6. You must sign up at the access desk to come. We will be also teaching Live Type on the 18th of Nov. If you are interested in either of these classes please call the SPNN Access Desk at 651-298-8908.

Producer's Night

If you have been wanting to strut your stuff and tell people how you do your show, or maybe you want visit with other producers to find out how they do theirs, then Monday night is your night. We are holding a producer's night at 6:30. Bring 5-7 minutes of your footage or just come and watch what other's bring. We'll have munchies and beverages. If your not the producer, but still want to show some footage, bring it down. If you are a member of the St. Paul communtiy and wanted to meet some of the producers you watch on TV, you too are invited. It is Monday, Oct. 9th starting at 6:30pm. Hope to see you then.

What is a waveform and vectorscope

Do you use the studio, but not know how to make sure you get a good picture? Wanted to know how to get rid of that 'washed out" look for your guests and host. You have comet to the right place. The waveform and vectorscope are the two pieces of equipment that can help you, but they are very underutilized. People think they are hard to use. This step by step process shows you how easy it can be and shows how good the results can be. David Zierott, a member of our production team, gives a step by step.

Meet the New Access Assistant

Sherine Crooms has been hired to be the new Access Assistant. Her first day will be Oct. 2. She is coming to us from IFP MN. She worked in their access department. She will be a good assest to SPNN. Crooms is currently producing a documentary about the impact of fatherlessness within the lives of girls. She has worked with Soultouch Productions as well as been a film critic and columnist. Please welcome her aboard.

E-Democracy at the Library

This fall St. Paul E-Democracy will hold a series of free workshops
at the new Rondo Community Outreach Library. These free sessions will teach library patrons about existing tools for public participation.

Sessions will cover email; video; blogging; use of search engines to find things on the Internet; how to access St. Paul officials and media; and, digital tools available to participants. These tools can help participants become more engaged in their community. The workshops, led by volunteers and SPNN staff, will provide hands-on experience and simple users' guides are suitable for entry level into the digital world.

I have attached a flier that we hope you can circulate in your organization or post it in your bulletin board. Feel free to print it and distribute it.While this round of mini-workshops will all be in English, we welcome volunteers to teach these workshops in other languages. Please let me know if you are interested in and able to teach classes in another language.

Classes are held at the new Rondo Community Outreach Library at 461 North Dale Street, Saint Paul, MN 55103. Call the library at 651-266-7400 to register.

All classes will have a relaxed atmosphere. Any level of computer knowledge is welcome.

Producer's Night

We will be holding a Producer's Night on October 9 at 6:30 in Studio One at SPNN. If you have a show you want to showcase bring in 5 minutes of footage to share. If you have always wanted to meet some of the producers behind the show this is also a good time to come. This is a great place to network, meet other producers, find out how they manage to put their show together, and enjoy great food.

We will be providing food and beverages. Please join us. You don't have to be a producer or member. Just an interested community member.

Classes/Workshops

We have a studio production class coming up on Sept. 25 at 6:30. This is a two part class with the second part on October 2nd. If you have always wanted to tape a program in the studio this is the class for you. If you have an organization or group of people to help you bring them along. Cost for the 2 night class is $30.

We are holding a Live Type workshop on Oct. 4 at 6:30. This class will explore how to get the most out of the program that comes as a part of the Final Cut Pro and Express package. The workshop is $10 for members of SPNN. $30 for non memmbers.

Outreach

We just finished 12 days at the State Fair. Fun was had by all and everything went very smoothly. We gave out 500 DVD's of fair goers interviewing each other or being interviewed. We will be doing this again next year, so keep us in mind come fair time.

A group called e-democracy is holding classes at the new Rondo library. There are classes on internet use, blogging, and the like I believe. We are particpating by holding a class on SPNN. We will be taking a look at our small PD 170 and editing on iMovie. If you have always wanted to find out more about SPNN, but couldn't make it to our intro class this might be a nice opportunity. It is Tuesday Sept. 19th at 6pm.

If you would like us to come speak at a group or organization to talk about the benefits of SPNN and community television just let me know. My number is 651-298-8904 or schumacher@spnn.org

It's been so long

Wow, has it been a while. Just a bunch of things have been happening in my personal life and at work that have made it impossible to update my blog. My husband's father passed away and we spent a week in Chicago taking care of things. We then became Power of Attorney for my husbands uncle who my father-in-law had been taking care of. So forgive my absense.

Lots to say though so I will make some separte posts about upcoming events.

I'm back

I'm back from a nice vacation to the Eastern part of Mass.. We spent a day on Cape Cod, Salem, Plymouth, Lexington, Concord, and Boston. It was a very nice historical vacation. I would say DO NOT rent a car. Bostonians do not pay attention to lanes. And they have a lot of rotary's which take a bit to get use to. Other than that, nice scenery and a wonderful time.

Couple of house cleaning issues I wanted to touch on. Remember the importance of bringing back equipment on time. This includes any gear, mics, cameras, light kits. Failure to do so will result in fines and eventually suspension.

We also will be enforcing the studio strike rule. We have had issues with things not being returned to the Access desk and the prop/set storage area looking like a tornado hit it. Failure to return all items to the access desk by fifteen minutes before the end of your reservation and being ready for the walk through at that time, will result in a fine and loss of studio privileges. We work hard to ensure that everyone has a positive experience in the studio we ask that you help us too.

Also if you use the lounge area it is expected that you clean this area up, do the dishes and put them away. You can not just leave them in the dish drain. I am not your housekeeper. Failure to do so will result in fines. As the producer this is your responsibility.

ACM Conference

Hey I am at the ACM conference right now. ACM is the Alliance for Community Media. This year the annual conference is in Boston. Mark you calendars next year it is in Minneapolis. It will be more towards the middle of July around the 17th I think. It has been great meeting access professionals and producers from all around the country. We had a session talking about the Legislation that has been going through both the House and the Senate. It seems that the Net Neutrality issue will be the downfall of the Senate bill. The Senate majority leader doesn’t want to risk a filibuster so he won’t bring it up in the Senate unless assured that the sixty votes are there. Right now that doesn’t look likely. We should still be talking with our Senators and Congress people to make sure they understand the funding Community Television is important.

Other sessions I have sat in include a way to transcode programs into MPEG 2 then onto formats that would make it possible to either have it vodcast or podcast. Some interesting stuff out their right now. It seems to be the issues bandwidth and storage space. It looks like all kinds of things are possible.

Boston has been a great city to visit. I have never been here before. There is lots of history. I walked part of the freedom trail, Rode the “T”, walked around Boston Common- which is one of the oldest public parks est. in 1644 I believe. My husband is flying in on Saturday and we are going to Salem, Concord and Lexington and down to Cape Cod. I am looking forward to that.

That is all I have time for right now, hope to update letter on this week.

The Great MN Get Together

Hey all, The summer is going by fast and soon it will be time for that event that draws people from all over MN to one place. It is 12 days of food, rides, and grandstand events and once again this year Minnesota Community Television will be involved.

For our second year at the fair a little has changed. We are no longer in the Technology building and are instead in the Education building. This year at the top, bottom and quarter hours we will be taping mini shows. If you are a non-profit please sign up for a time to tape your "show". The shows will be five minute interviews.

At the booth we will also be handing out flyers from stations around MN, information on legislation that is currently in the United States Congress, and helping fair goers find out what IS communty TV.

If you are a member or volunteer at a MN Communtiy Access Center talk to your center about volunteering for this event. Admission to the fair will be provided. If you are a member or volunteer at SPNN let me know if you are interested in giving up an afternoon or evening or two to help us out. Those that helped last year know that it was a good time.

volunteering at SPNN

Do you believe in the mission of SPNN to give a voice to the communtiy. Do you belive in this mission but have no technical skills? You can still volunteer with SPNN. We are interested having community members who believe in what we do help with outreach projects, archieving tapes, help on the fundraising committee, work on the newsletter among other opportunites.

Of course for those of you with technical skills, but don't want to produce your own program you can help our production staff or our members with theirs. This is a great learning experience, a great way to build your skills and to give back to the St. Paul Communtiy.

Contact Maria Tototzintle if you are interested in any of these activities. Her email is tototzintle@spnn.org or call her at 651-298-8910.

Volunteering with SPNN is a great way to give back to the community.

Learning the PD 170

At SPNN we have three of Sony's PD 170. It is available for checkout once per month over for four days. It is also available additional checkouts Tuesday through Thursdays. This is a great 3 chip camera. it is small a portable. Take a look at the video made by training coordinator Ed Sanders on how to use the PD 170. It will show you how to adjust the aduio manual and put it into the manual mode.

Take a Tour of SPNN

Click on the video to see a tour of the SPNN facilities. We have a studio, three imovie and Final Cut Express edit suites, 11 digital cameras and a portable switcher.

Update on Legislation

Dear saveaccess.org supporter,

First we want to thank you! Thousands of letters were sent to Senators
last week as a result of your efforts. We applaud you for taking the
time to make your voice heard and sending a strong message in support of
PEG community media, net neutrality and the need for stronger red-lining
provisions. The mark-up hearing on Senate Bill S.2686 resumes tomorrow,
Tues. June 27th at 10:00. Very little progress was made in the first day
of the mark-up last week (a rundown is at:
http://saveaccess.org/node/322).
Please continue to email your Senators if you haven't already at
http://saveaccess.org/takeaction!

We want to take a moment to inform you of other issues that have arisen
in the mark-up proceedings, some good, some bad. If you have Senators on
the Commerce Committee (list below), this would be a good day to call
them!

S.2686 Amendments and What You Can Do:
Over 200 amendments are to be discussed for possible inclusion in
S.2686, including one on broadcast flag with onerous copy protection
that impacts on 'fair use' issues. Another amendment would expand local
radio licenses - a good addition.

1) Broadcast Flag - This is a copy protection scheme that would make it
virtually impossible for broadcast media to be reused under current
'fair use' practices. To counter the broadcast flag amendment there is
an another amendment to strike it. Public Knowledge calls on people with
Senators on the Commerce Committee (see list below) to:
Call your Senator today with this simple message: "Support the Sununu
Amendment to strike the broadcast and radio flags."
Learn more Public Knowledge: http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/479.

2) Expand Local Radio - Sen. McCain has offered an amendment that would
expand Low Power Radio licenses. This could result in hundreds of new
local radio stations serving local communities. Our friends at
Prometheus Radio are asking people to call on their Senators to support
TITLE XI: LOCAL COMMUNITY RADIO ACT by calling and saying:
I support, and my community supports, the language in Senate Bill 2686
that would expand low power FM across our state and across this country.
In an era of natural disasters, and few opportunities for churches,
schools, and community groups to make their voices heard, we need more
local radio stations in our cities and towns. Please support low power
FM in Senate Bill 2686."
Learn more at:
http://www.prometheusradio.org/take_action/emergency_alert:__take_action
_to_expand_low_power/

3) Protect PEG Provisions - The Alliance for Community Media is asking
supporters to support the gains made including PEG provisions in S.2686
by:
- Calling or faxing your Senators again.
- Send a copy Senators Inouye and Stevens.
- The message is simple:
"We ask that you prevent any amendments to S2686 that attack PEG
funding, franchise fees or municipal authority. Thank you."
These phone calls/faxes are especially important if your Senator is on
the Commerce Committee (see the list below). And please continue to send
your emails via our site which also seeks to protect PEG provisions.

Senate Commerce Committee Members
Republicans:

Ted Stevens - Alaska - Chairman
Hart 522 202-224-3004
http://stevens.senate.gov/
Fax (202) 224-2354

John McCain - Arizona
Russell 241 202-224-2235
http://mccain.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 228-2862

Conrad Burns - Montana
Dirksen 187 202-224-2644
http://burns.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-224-8594

Trent Lott - Mississippi
Russell 487 202-224-6253
http://lott.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 224-2262

Kay Bailey Hutchison - Texas
Russell 284 202-224-5922
http://hutchison.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-224-0776

Olympia Snowe - Maine
Russell 154 202-224-5344
http://snowe.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 224-1946

Gordon Smith - Oregon
Russell 404 202-224-3753
http://gsmith.senate.gov/
Fax: 202.228.3997

John Ensign - Nevada
Russell 364 202-224-6244
http://ensign.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 228-2193

George Allen - Virginia
Russell 204 202-224-4024
http://allen.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 224-5432

John Sununu - New Hampshire
Russell 111 202-224-2841
http://sununu.senate.gov/
FAX (202) 228-4131

Jim DeMint - South Carolina
Russell 340202-224-6121
http://demint.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-228-5143

David Vitter - Louisiana
Hart 516202-224-4623
http://vitter.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 228-5061

Democrats

Daniel K. Inouye - Hawaii - Co-Chairman
Hart 722 202-224-3934
http://inouye.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-224-6747

John D. Rockefeller IV - West Virginia
Hart 531 202-224-6472
Fax (202) 224-7665 Fax
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/

John F. Kerry - Massachussetts
Russell 304 202-224-2742
http://kerry.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 224-8525

Byron L. Dorgan - North Dakota
Hart 322 202-224-2551
http://dorgan.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-224-1193

Barbara Boxer - California
Hart 112 202-224-3553
http://boxer.senate.gov/
Fax: none listed

Bill Nelson - Florida
Hart 716 202-224-5274
http://billnelson.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-228-2183

Maria Cantwell - Washington
Hart 717 202-224-3441
http://cantwell.senate.gov/
Fax: 202-228-0514

Frank Lautenberg - New Jersey
Hart 324 202-224-3224
http://lautenberg.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 228-4054

E. Benjamin Nelson - Nebraska
Hart 720202-224-6551
http://bennelson.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 228-0012

Mark Pryor - Arkansas
Russell 217202-224-2353
http://pryor.senate.gov/
Fax: (202) 228-0908

Submitting your program to SPNN

How to Get Your Program To Air On SPNN

1. Become a member of SPNN. Membership for St. Paul Residents is $25, MN Residents is $50, non MN residents is $100. Organizations can have up to five of their staff/volunteers become members for $100. SPNN also offers limited income, student and senior memberships at $15.

2. You can submit your program on any one of the following formats: VHS, SVHS, DVCAM, mini DV. If you submit on mini DV you need to use Sony tapes. At this time SPNN does not accept programs on DVD. If you submit on SVHS or VHS SPNN needs to put a control track on the right channel of audio. This will create a “buzz” on the right audio channel. Please make sure you don’t turn in your master and that the audio on both the left and right audio channels is the same. You can record over this tape, but you will not be able to play it on other machines.

3. At the start of the tape you need to have 30 seconds of black or preferably color bars and tone. Then a slate which should include your name, total run time, and run dates of the program. After the slate should be a count down. Then the start of your program. If your program does not start 30 seconds into the tape the first 30 seconds of your program will be cut off.

4. At the end of the tape please put 30 seconds of “black”.

5. Once you have your program in hand, you need to fill out a Program Release Form. You can download the form here or you can pick one up from SPNN. Please fill out the form completely.

6. All programs must be turned in by the Wednesday of the week before it airs.

7. Once your program has aired on SPNN you must pick your tape back up again. If you would like a series program on SPNN please contact SPNN Access Manager Bonnie Schumacher at schumacher@spnn.org or by phone at 651-298-8904.

Interesting Video

Free speech TV has a half hour video that can be downloaded. It is with the Executive Director of the Alliance for Community Media Tony Riddle. He and other panelists talk about drive behind the new legislation regarding community media. http://www.freespeech.org/fscm2/contentviewer.php?content_id=1269

The House already passed their bill, but the Senate bill is in the conference committee. If you live in Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Mississippi, Texas, Maine, Oregon, Nevada, Virginia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Louisiana, Hawaii, West Virginia, Massachusetts, North Dakota, California, Florida, Washington, New Jersey, Nebraska, or Arkansas please contact your senators. You can go to this link to find out which of your senators is on the committee and how to contact them. http://commerce.senate.gov/public/

Senate Bill 2686 is currently in the Commerce Committee. This bill threatens to severely limit money that Access Centers around the country receive from the cable companies. This action threatens the existence of many centers. The US House companion bill passes last week. If this bill makes it out of committee and passes the US senate there will be conference committee. I am urging the blog world and the access world supporters to send a letter to members of the commerce committee and voice your opposition to this bill. Bloggers are looking for freedom to express ideas much as access producers are looking to share their ideas with their local communities. Please help save access.

Below you will find a sample letter please change and modify to fit your style. I received this letter from the Alliance for Community Media.

ACTION ALERT
S.2686 -The Communications, Consumers' Choice
& Broadband Deployment Act of 2006
______________
MESSAGE OF THE DAY – Friday June 16, 2006

PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS TODAY
TO SAVE COMMUNITY MEDIA


For All (Center Staff, Board Members, Access Users & Supporters):
· Fax Senator Ted Stevens, Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee a letter. Fax 202-224-2354
· Fax Senator Daniel Inouye, ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee a letter. Fax 202-224-6747

Message: (PLEASE ADD YOUR OWN TEXT OVER AREAS IN Bold. FEEL FREE TO STATE OUR MESSAGE IN YOUR OWN WORDS AS YOU SEE FIT)

Introduce yourself and where you are from.

Tell them why PEG Access and/or Community Media is important to you.
Thank you including the discussion language in the draft S2686 on Page 63, line 16 through Page 64, line 4. This language is critical to the survival of PEG Access Television and Community Media across our country. Without this language many centers will be forced to close their doors.

There is one problem with this well-intentioned effort. If the last phrase, “but excluding one-time or lump-sum payments” is included, this will have a devastating affect on some Access Centers’ ability to serve their community by cutting needed money for equipment and facilities. Please support replacing this with language whic

From the Access Desk

Legislation
There is legislation that is threatening to change the funding for access centers and change the ability for community representation. The HR5252 passed in the house. A similar bill is going through the committees in the US Senate right now. We would appreciate if you talk to your Senators about the importance of funding for Public Access/Community TV.

The effects of the new funding levels would be devastating for much of the MN metro centers as well as around the country. Here are some websites to look at for more details. http://www.cctv.org/ or our website has links and information as well, www.spnn.org .

Volunteerism
If you believe in SPNN and its mission and want to help contribute to the success of SPNN we NEED you. Whether your passion is production, advocacy, outreach, mentoring youth, fundraising, or working at the State Fair we need you to become a SPNN volunteer. We decided to start a formal volunteer program at SPNN that recognizes the contributions that members and non members have been making to our success. You can choose what area you would like to volunteer in and when you want to volunteer. All we ask is that you sign a contract promising 12 hours over the course of the next 12 months. They can be all at one time or one hour a month, you decide. Come to our class on becoming a SPNN volunteer on July 17. You will receive a t-shirt just for joining our volunteer program. There are other incentives along the way.

Also if you would like to utilize SPNN’s list of volunteers you need to attend the Volunteer Management course. In this course we will talk the etiquette of utilizing volunteers, the way to track their hours, how to give them rewards and incentives, equity of privacy of volunteers and answer your questions. The class is one hour and you will gain access to volunteers who have decided to volunteer on productions. The program should give you confidence that a volunteer is responsible and adequately trained. If you do not attend this class volunteers will not receive credit for working on your production.

If you are interested please let me or Maria know. Maria’s number is 651- 298-8910 or tototzintle@spnn.org


Looking ahead to July Classes:
Our regular class schedule on Tuesdays has changed due to the Fourth of July. The intro class will be July 11, iMovie will be on July 18th and Basic Camera will be on July 25. All classes start at 6:30pm.

In July we will also be offering an Advanced Photoshop class. This will be hands on workshop for refreshing advanced PS skills. Previous PS experience required. The class will be July 15 at 1pm. Cost of the class will be $10 for members $30 for non members. Please let me know if you are interested. You can learn how to gain a wider audience for your program by attending our classes on putting your program on the web July 22nd at 1pm and vlogging July 29th at 1pm.

Is iMovie not doing what you want it to do? Would like to learn how to manipulate the audio more? Take our Final Cut Express class Monday July 24 and Wednesday July 26. Cost for the class is $40. You must attend both days. Previous experience with iMovie or anther non-linear editing system is required. Please let me know if you are interested in attending this class.


That’s it from the Access desk.

Bonnie

Sharing Your Views

It is important for our society to continue to speak up and share our opinions. One can think they are in the minority because they don't share their opinion, but in reality they can be the silent majority.

Community Television was created to make sure all of us have a voice, whether in the majority or the minority. Community used to mean the people physically near us. With the advent of the Internet and blogging community can mean anyone who shares a similar interest.

Community TV can still be a way to communicate with our peers. Not everyone has access to the Internet but may be able to watch cable television. At access centers like SPNN we help you get your message out on both cable TV and the Internet.

If you are attending an event that you later want to post about on your own blog, you could add video to make your blog pop. If you belonged to an access center, became certified on the equipment, you could check out cameras cover the event, and edit the footage to put both on the web and on TV. What better way to share information about our community?

SPNN not only offers classes on using video gear, we also teach members how to compress their video to put it on the web. If you are worried about bandwidth to store the video there are places that will host for free. OurMedia.org is a great place to be able see what others have and store your own videos.

For a complete look at SPNN's class schedule check us out at www.spnn.org.

Who Am I?

I am going to try to keep a regular blog. It will mostly be on things happening at SPNN, impending legislation, and other interests I have.

SPNN stands for St. Paul Neighborhood Network. We are a Community Access Television station. We are based in St. Paul MN. We broadcast on five channels within the city limits of St. Paul.

We have a Youth Education Department whose mission is to empower youth through media. Our Community Productions department works with Non-Profit organizations to create a message that then broadcasts on our channels.

Our Access Department works with members of the community to produce video. We teach members how to use our 14 3 chip digital cameras, edit on iMovie and Final Cut Express, use our portable switcher, studios, compress video to put on the web (like in a blog), and tell compelling stories. We have workshops that teach grant writing, ask the lawyer, lighting techniques, how to utilize the green screen, field video techniques and the like.

Members can come into SPNN to create any kind of show they want. We have new immigrants that come in and produce a program in their native language, shows on hobbies, religious shows, shows with commentary on current politics for example. There isn't much you can't put on community access. If you would like more information about SPNN visit our website at www.spnn.org. There are also lots of community access or public access stations around MN and the nation. If you want help to find one near you email me and I will help out if I can.