Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 10, 1991 TAG: 9102080432
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERTA GREEN/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"A wide range of people are involved in learning video production," said Rachel Roth, acting station manager.
"Blacksburg is unique demographically, and this diversity is reflected in those who come to make videos, too.
"We have Tech students, engineers, housewives. Some of those who come in to learn just want to volunteer to help around here.
"Some want to do a continuing series, and others just want to try to make their idea come alive on video."
The first step is Channel 24's two-part workshop.
"There's an $8 fee for the workshop that covers the cost of the pamphlets and the cost of paying someone to teach the course," said Roth.
"This spring, the course will be taught on Wednesday nights, and it lasts from 7 to 8 p.m. The workshops are pretty well-attended, so it's best to call and reserve a spot."
Once trained, participants are allowed to use Channel 24's video cameras and equipment.
A $100 security deposit is required.
In addition to learning the background of public-access TV, workshop participants learn some of the particulars of video production: specific shots and how to achieve them, shooting ratio (how many times to shoot a scene to make sure it's usable), script preparation, character generation for credit sequences and other technical necessities for a professional-looking product.
"Editing, however, is not taught during the workshop; instead, editing is taught on a one-on-one basis by one of our staff members when the footage is actually ready to be edited. There's always someone here and available to help."
Roth is the only full-time staff member; there are two part-time staffers.
The equipment, about 80 percent of which is donated by Blacksburg Cable (in compliance with FCC regulations and the cable company's agreement with the town) is state of the art, according to Roth.
"We use Super VHS or 3/4-inch tape, both of which are professional quality," she said.
"We help out any way we can with every step of the production process, so the finished product usually looks quite good.
"Part of our agreement with the participants is that each of them must produce something, whether a public-service spot or a music video or a talk show or something that we can air on Channel 24."
During the day, Channel 24 presents Community Bulletin Board, a listing of town information and public-service announcements.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day, the channel presents a variety of programming, much of it made locally through the training program.
"We had one show, `Full TV,' that was done by volunteers, and that continued weekly for a year and a half," said Roth.
The projects are as varied as the participants.
Some community clubs also are involved in creating videos.
"I'm publicity chair for the League of Women Voters, and we wanted to enlarge the audience for some of our very worthwhile programs," said Jean McCart of Blacksburg.
"Last fall we had a continuing program . . . which aired in September, October and November, but we've done public-access programs off and on for several years with candidate forums and issues such as recycling."
As a two-time veteran of the training sessions, McCart sees real value to the program and the channel.
"They give you a number of handouts and go over all of the material with you, which does help, but the real way to learn is hands-on, mistakes and all."
"Last summer a youth group made Christian rock videos, kind of like MTV but with Christian rock," Roth said.
"They were too young to use the equipment, so one of the parents was in charge of that, but the young people were all the talent, and they were able to watch themselves on television once a week."
Some producers try to make a statement with what they're doing. Mike Hughes, for instance, just completed a video about rural America.
"My video has to do with the evolution of the rural landscape, primarily at Blacksburg and the surrounding areas, such as New Castle and Newport," Hughes said.
His video will debuted on Channel 24 late last month.
When the channel began in 1986, Roth said, only about 20 percent of the programming was local.
Now, with 70 percent local programming, the channel and its interests are growing.
But the program and its success can be summarized perhaps best by what Roth and her assistants teach the incoming students: "that planning plus patience equals successful production."
For information on the training program at Blacksburg public-access Channel 24, call 961-1199.
by CNB