DSR 250

Find out more about the DSR 250 in this tech tip.

What to expect at the Access desk

What is SPNN?

Have you always wanted to know more about SPNN and how to get involved? check out this video.

What's happening in other States with regards to State Leg.

CA is also wrangling with legislation that may change the nature of how cities receive funding for public access television stations.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061023/ai_n16799675


Wisconsin's story is similar. http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/column/index.php?ntid=127950&ntpid=0

and this article too. http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/articles/index.cfm?id=23336&section=homepage

Interesting Article on Pulic Access

This is an interesting article on who uses public access and the kind of interest and attention they garner.

http://www.fresnobee.com/384/story/40598.html

Local Governments Ask Courts to Reverse FCC Ruling on Video Franchising

Local Governments Ask Courts to Reverse FCC Ruling on Video Franchising
Washington, DC – Local government organizations representing municipal and county officials across America today asked the Federal courts to reverse the recent franchising order adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that would severely restrict the ability of local governments to protect their citizens, rights-of-way, community channels and public safety networks. In addition, the FCC order would lead to a tremendous reduction in the revenues received by local governments for use of their rights of way, as well as loss of cable services to many governmental buildings and schools.
The formal Petitions for Review filed today said the FCC order "exceeds the FCC’s statutory authority," is "arbitrary and capricious," "an abuse of discretion, unsupported by substantial evidence, and in violation of the United States Constitution." The FCC order also "violates both the Communications Act and Administrative Procedure Act’s public notice requirements," according to the Petitions.
Organizations participating in the court challenge to the FCC order include the Alliance for Communications Democracy (ACD), Alliance for Community Media (ACM), National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities (NLC), National Association of Telecommunications Officials and Advisors (NATOA), and The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM).
According to these groups, the repercussions of the FCC’s order are far-reaching and extreme on numerous fronts. Local governments want competition in the video marketplace, but the FCC’s order ignores local interests, provides regulatory advantages for a few of the largest telecommunications companies in the country, and is simply contrary to law in many respects.
Local government representatives also expressed concern over the loss of protections for their residents if the FCC order were to stand. According to these officials, the order provides little recognition of the need by local governments to protect public rights of way, and to ensure that all their citizens benefit from increased competition and advances in telecommunications technology – not just a chosen few.

You Tube Works

Putting your vido on a free video hosting site does work. SPNN has all of our tech tips and member profiles on You Tube.

The tech tip on the Altman light kit has been watched 19 times and been rated by one person with a five star rating.

A tech tip with Community Producer Steve Brunsberg on how to use a light meter was viewed 123 times and received a five star rating.

Sherine's shooting tips has been viewed 147 times.

David and I did a piece on how to use the audio board and compressor in the studio that has received 630 views, one comment (very positive) and 2 people rated it giving it 4.5 stars.

The piece David and I did on how to use the waveform and vecotorscope has received 206 views and one five star rating.

Ed's piece on the PD 170 has received 636 views, one comment (positive), and five people rated it giving it an overall 4.5 stars.

139 people have seen the tour of SPNN.

In relation to numbers of views You Tube's most popular videos get, this is just a drop in the bucket. But if taken in the context that video from SPNN has helped this many people with technical questons, I think it is positive.

Lots of Video Hosting Sites

Here at SPNN we utilize two different free video hosting sites, You Tube and Google Video. Those are just the tip of the iceberg though.

Internet Video Magazine has a list and a review of each of the currently available services. http://www.internetvideomag.com/ProductReviews/Services/FreeVideoHosting102.htm

Check out this site to find out what video hosting site is best for you.

SPNN will be having a how to use You Tube workshop for free on April 24. Members of SPNN are welcome to attend and get your video on the web.

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.