YOU CAN PRODUCE YOUR OWN CABLE TV PROGRAM

PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION
and/or

EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION

With thanks to
Fund for the Environment
at
www.BeverlyHillsCitizen.org

At one time, Federal Communications Commission rules required all cable television companies to provide public access. This is no longer true. However, Los Angeles, and perhaps other cities, still include this provision in their licensing requirements.

Non-commercial public access cable stations make their studios available to the public, often at no charge. They provide education and/or assistance in taping shows that will be shown on their stations. With a deposit, they may also make available remote, portable, video and sound equipment.

There are several different cable franchise companies throughout Los Angeles. The following information is from Adelphia, which serves the Westside, parts of the San Fernando Valley, and Eagle Rock areas. The rules of other franchises should be similar. Phone your local cable company for information, and to see if they also have a monthly group "orientation" meeting such as Adelphia holds.

Other municipalities or states may have different rules and regulations.

The Cable Company's requirements and assistance:

Adelphia offers, for free, a two hour group orientation meeting, a one-day technical workshop, and a pre-production half-hour meeting, wherein you present your run-down sheet for review by the staff. This sheet gives the names and titles of the participants for your show, and describes what you plan to do in the studio. After the orientation meeting, ask the access coordinator to schedule a time to do your taping. You may be able to do two 28 minute shows, back to back. Allow two hours for one show and three hours to do two shows at one time.

If you are knowledgeable, you may take more responsibility for technical aspects of the production. If you are not knowledgeable, you may want to take advantage of the cable company's one-day training, or a community college technical training program. Adelphia also offers a full 12-week, 8-hours per week intern program to learn all aspects of production.

If you wish to use the remote, portable, equipment, you may be required to take a production and editing training class, or to otherwise prove your competence.

Your show must be noncommercial. It may not sell or advertise any service or product or a commercial web site. However, if an expert speaks, they may be able to briefly mention their business connection as background for their expertise. Nonprofit groups may promote their web sites and upcoming events, however. While you are not permitted to ask for monetary donations, you may put a notice at the end of your show, such as : "For further information, contact . . ."

Public access is available to anyone, on a first-come first served basis. After a show is taped, it may then be scheduled for cablecasting several weeks later. Each tape is guaranteed to be shown once, and may also be replayed during the daytime hours of noon to 5 P.M., when fewer people may want to schedule their own shows. At some cable systems, as many as four tapes may be scheduled at once, with the same time slot and day of week for a four-week period.

On Saturdays, some cable systems may run live public access shows, with call-in capabilities.

If a certified teacher is the producer/director, the show can also be programmed on the cable system's educational channel.

Trained interns handle most of, or all of the technical work for filming and editing, under supervision. They may use two or even three cameras.

Your Responsibilities:

It really is your show. You conceive it, you write it, you produce it. You own it. Include a copyright sign © and notice on the sign that has your contact phone number (preferably not your home number), e-mail and web site address, and a mailing address (which we recommend be a post office box, for privacy).

You are responsible for "dressing" your set. This may include bringing an attractive rug, a large painting, a decorative screen, a floral arrangement, and/or some plants. Also bring glasses or cups enough for those on the set, for coffee, tea, bottled water or soft drinks.

Bring your own props or visual aids. Plan what props or visual aids you will want to have with you. You may bring in regular 1/2 inch videotaped presentation or photos to incorporate into your show. This may include an overhead projector and screen for the Presentation Materials made available on this web site, as well as our Visual Aides suggestions in the Action section. If an expert on hearing is to speak, perhaps they will bring their own presentation materials. Be sure you have something on which to display them.

You and your guests will be responsible for doing your own makeup. Bring cornstarch baby powder and puffs for shiny foreheads and noses, male or female. Also, make sure the director double checks for the best possible lighting.

In a two-hour period on the day of taping, you can choose music from their library and tape a 28-minute show on 3/4 inch tape. Ask if you can arrive early to inspect the music titles that they have permission to use on air. You may bring in your own sound technician, original music and musicians. The cable company has already paid the use fee for music available in the offerings of their own library.

As advanced preparation, you may want to check your posture at home with a mirror, while you sit in the chair you plan to use on the set. A lower-back pillow might improve your appearance. Watch shows similar to what you are planning, with an eye to what behavior comes across as honest, strong, confident and well-informed about the subject matter. If you have written notes or a script, read it aloud several times to be sure the spoken words flow as easily as the written words and to set your timing. If you run over your allotted time, your tape will just stop, perhaps in mid-sentence. You don't necessarily have to memorize it, but it should become familiar enough to you that you don't have to hang your head to read the notes throughout the whole show. If you need them, make cue cards and bring along someone to hold them for you, but rehearse that person several times in advance of the actual taping.

You can buy a 3/4 inch blank tape for recording your show from the company, but it may be cheaper elsewhere. Try to find 30 minute tape for your 28 minute show. There will be "black" at both the beginning and at the end. Buy or bring along a second tape, for a copy you can take home immediately. Otherwise, you will have to wait until after your show airs to pick up the original.

After it is first aired, you can "bicycle" a copy of your finished program to other cable companies in your area. There is also a City of Los Angeles interconnected access channel, which is dedicated to educational programs. Your program may qualify for cabelcasting on this channel.

You can also videotape and make copies of your show from home when it is aired, on standard 1/2 inch tape to circulate to elected officials, the press and/or your neighbors. Send US a copy! We may mention it on this web site.