| Community Media Center Update |
Greetings ,
I hope you're well and in good spirits.
While opening day at Fenway Park and the running of the Boston Marathon should signal the all-clear to put the snow shovels away and begin the well deserved outdoor activities requiring only a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, it could still be yet another tease as the temperatures may plummet more than thirty-degrees following Monday's beautiful, warm 72ยบ forecast - fingers crossed it doesn't.
Speaking of an impending chill, I feel obligated and motivated to share with you the latest or rather continuing threat to community media access centers aka PEG resources. Some of you may be familiar with the setup of how public access, government access and education access television stations are supported financially, while others may not be aware. I won't bore you with the specifics, so I'll try to be concise.
Cable companies are provided access to potential cable subscribers (residents) through towns, cities, municipalities agreeing to provide access to the residents. Usually this is done if the cable companies agree to meet and adhere to certain practices and services. As a result, the PEG stations receive from the towns, cities, or municipalities a percentage of the total revenues gleaned from the cable companies.
These specific revenues are essentially the residents supporting their community media access centers because they like to watch their government channel to keep informed; their education channel to watch their talented and creative youth; their public access channel to watch all the great events and unique stories told by their neighbors. At least that's the way I like to think of it.
Well, in March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was curious if
Multichannel Video Programming Distribution
(MVPD) aka Cable Franchise systems are making "PEG programming information available to subscribers."
While one can argue PEG programming is being made available simply by being accessible on the cable box, let's look a little deeper to see if that's enough. I'm sure you already know I don't believe it is enough and the reason I believe this is because of two very simple facts.
The MVPDs refuse to provide PEG programming access to the Electronic Program Guide (EPG), which results in subscribers (residents) inability to find a program airing on the channel they may be interested in watching. In addition, it prevents them from recording the programs for viewing later at their leisure.
My theory is that providing this information would strengthen the popularity and value of the PEG stations because people would be able to consistently watch content that is specifically focused on their community. It would be specialized and unique, which would guarantee a niche audience that cares and is passionate about the content.
The MVPDs also refuse to provide PEG programming access to beautiful, crisp, clear High-Definition (HD) signals. Once again, my theory is that if subscribers watched those community programs in beautiful HD as they can on their computers, they would begin to see their community access media centers as equal to other channels broadcasting in HD.
It used to be the quality of public access programming was inherently worst than broadcast, which is why many viewers wouldn't watch it. Now that all equipment is in HD - including smart phones - and production values are much better than before, community access programming looks and feels better to the viewer. All you have to do is watch the same program on our streaming video on the website and compare it with the access staton on your television.
I've submitted my letter to the Secretary of the FCC to comment on the FCC's inquiry. It's my hope all of the PEG stations being denied access to the EPG and HD opportunities other stations are provided will motivate the commission to force MVPDs to be fair and equitable to PEG stations and their residents.
Stay tuned... and stay warm!
Sincerely,
Scott Mercer
Executive Director
Access Framingham TV
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Upcoming Shoots and Events
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Guest Alice Lovell Rossiter and Host Jen Masada on Woman to Woman Today
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April showers bring bright
new shows in May to Access Framingham!
We are welcoming some new series to Access Framingham!
We have Woman to Woman Today with Host, Jen Masada premiering on Monday, May 2nd at 5:30pm and then again on Thursdays at 8:00pm and Saturdays at 9:30am.
Jen has some excellent expert guests and demos lined up with Interior Decorators, Organizers, Fitness Professionals, Local Chefs and more!
We also have Novel Ideas with local author and host, Carol Lynn Luck. Carol is bringing in authors from all over MetroWest and beyond to talk about their books and writing process. Novel Ideas wi
ll premiere in Mid-May.
In April we had a very successful Final Cut Pro X Basic Edit workshop. Next up we will be running a three week Basic Studio Production Workshop on May 11, 18 & 25th, 7-9pm And in June a Daytime FCP X Basic Workshop June 9, 16 & 23 from 11am to 1pm. And on June 15th, we will have a Member Orientation and Camcorder Jump-Start at 7:00pm.
Please let us know if you would like to attend any of Classes.
We are still looking for a few folks that may be ready to direct and produce a show. Several members have expressed interest in creating Comedy, and Political Talk shows.
We are also looking for some local member sponsors for programming produced in other communities and airs in Framingham. If you are a member of Access Framingham and would like to sponsor an entertainment news program, money and investing talk show, or a fun, late night talk/comedy show. Please let us know and we can have you fill out paperwork to be the local sponsor of some great programming.
T
hanks everyone & we hope to see you soon at Access Framingham!
Francesca
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Upcoming Shoots and Events
Lots of great events happening in Framingham!
Please let us know if you can tape any of these upcoming events.
info@accessfram or call 508-875-5434
Thursday, April 21st 6;30pm
Novel Ideas
AF-TV Studio Shoot Guest: Erin Dionne on 1st taping and John David Ferrer on 2nd taping
Looking for 1 or 2 camera operators and Teleprompter
Saturday, April 26th
Framingham Beat
AF-TV Studio Shoot
Pizza at 6:00 Shoot at 7:00
All are welcome to help us produce this Magazine Style News program
Friday, March 29th, 7:00am-9:00am
24rd Annual John P. Garrahan MetroWest Community Prayer
Breakfast, honoring 15 local high school students for their leadership in promoting diversity
in their communities. The event will take place at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel Ballroom
Requesting camera operator to work with AF-TV employee
Saturday, April 30th
Ham Jams Series at AF-TV-Featuring Martin and Aaron
Music shoot in the studio set up noon-1:00pm shoot
Camera operators, Audio requested
Saturday, April 30th
Earth Day!
Framingham Center Common
fun activities, vendors, and recycling
http://www.framinghamearthday.org/
Camera Operator & Reporter Requested for Beat Story
Sunday May 1st
Woman to Woman Today
AF-TV Studio Shoot
Host Jen Masada invites interesting guests and demos
Camera Operator & Teleprompter Requested
Sunday May 1st
Library Foundation Fashion Show
McAuliffe Library
Join us in the gorgeous lobby of the new Christa McAuliffe Branch Library for this evening fundraiser. Watch as Susan Mancall of SKM Jewelers, accessorizes our models in a variety of formal and casual ways. Enjoy elegant desserts, fancy coffees, tea and lemonade as you see that "It's All About the Accessories!"
Camera Operator & Reporter Requested for Beat Story & full show
Athena Award Luncheon
Framingham Country Club-16 Gates ST
We will announce the winner of the Athena Award in partnership with the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce at the United Way of Tri-County Women's Leadership Council "Women of Impact" Luncheon .
Requesting camera operator to work with AF-TV employee
Saturday May 7th 12pm Set up 1:00pm shoot
Ham Jams-music in the studio
Artist: Lauren Weintraub
3 Camera Operators, audio requested
Tuesday, May 10th
The Framingham Beat
AF-TV Studios
AF-TV Studio Shoot
Pizza at 6:00 Shoot at 7:00
All are welcome to help us produce this Magazine Style News program
Saturday, May 14th, 12:30-3:00
Rail Trail Grand Opening
Join the Friends of Saxonville and Cochituate Rail Trail (CRT) Committee for the official opening of the new Trail. Then join Framingham Conservation Commission for a walk along the Trail. We will branch off into Cochituate Brook Reservation and out to the shores of the North Pond of Lake Cochituate State Park. Wear proper footwear. Leashed dogs welcome. Meet at the trail entrance at the corner of School and Concord Streets in Saxonville.
Camera Operator and Reporter Requested
Saturday, May 14th 9:00am race
McAuliffe Charter School 5K
3.1 mile run (Walkers Welcome) starting and ending at: McAuliffe Charter School 139 Newbury Street Framingham, MA 01701 Post Race Party to follow at McAuliffe Charter School and will include:
- Awards for top Female and Male finishers in each age category
- Food provided by Panera Bread
- Kona Ice Truck
- Raffle Baskets
- Custom McAuliffe Gear made on the spot
- Dunk Tank
- Inflatable obstacle course
- Fun activities for the whole family
Camera and Reporter Requested
More Shoot Opportunities are added all the time! Check out our website Calendar section or give us a call.
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Friend and Member of Access Framingham
Earth Day Framingham Committee
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| image is a link to Earth Day Info |
The 2016 Framingham Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 30th from 11am to 3pm at FRAMINGHAM CENTRE COMMON! Rain Location: Framingham High School
Come learn about ways to conserve energy, make sustainable choices, support local businesses, preserve natural habitats, and of course, reduce, reuse and recycle, all while having a great time with your friends and neighbors! Live music, kids activities, yummy local food, and this year we are adding workshops and educational events. What's not to love!
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Special Patriots Day Hours
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Access Framingham will be open for limited hours on Monday, April 18th from 10-1
If you need assistance with camera pick up or return, please let us know.
AF-TV will be caring the LIVE feed of the
6 Mile Moment from The Depot Diner during the Marathon! Be sure to tune in to see local interviews and entertainment from the 6 mile marker in Downtown Framingham
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Frank's Tech Tip
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WHAT IS 360 Degree Video!?!
One of the more exciting changes this year has been the support of 360 Degree Video.
These type of videos offer a new dimension that add a distinct level of complexity and discovery. Camera range from $200-$500: Ricoh Theta, Kodak SP360, Giroptic 360cam and IC Real Tech Allie are some examples. If you are interested in creating your own rig you can use 6 flip cameras tied together and give it a go! The video files can be combined using Kolor Autopano Video software, which is support by YouTube. You can check out more with the link below. I suggest watching the video from SNL 40th Anniversary Special - you can see the lighting grid, camera positions, talent, floor director and more! Enjoy!
360 degree video
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| The Framingham Beat |
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If you have a story idea for a future edition of our bi-weekly news magazine,
Contact AF-TV at
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| New Website! |
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Along with our new Studio at
4 Vernon Street, we have re-designed our website!
Please check it out at
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Hard Drive ERASURE
NOTICE!
We are wiping ALL AFTV
Edit Room H
ard Drives
If you have footage on a drive you want to keep, please transfer it to your personal external drive. If you have show elements you are still using, please put them in a folder with your name and "elements" and we will not erase the file. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Thank You!
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Links to some Highlights from the Framingham Beat
Thursdays at 7:30
Fridays at 10:00
Saturdays at 9:00am
Sundays at 8:00
or anytime at
accessfram.tv
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| Transgender event at Plymouth Church |
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History Center Textiles with FSU
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One Stop Career Center
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Currently in the AF-TV Gallery
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