There are subjects upon subjects that would make real audience-grabbers and many of these are the easiest to create. In this article I will describe several of these ideas and hopefully dispel the myths in order to encourage new producers.
The easiest path starts with someone who has their own camera and is familiar with its basic operation. Producing a show doesn’t require anything more than placing the camera somewhere and letting the action unfold naturally. Pointing the camera at a flowering plant, trees, deer, mountains, etc. can create a compelling and soothing effect on an audience. The ambient sounds that accompany this footage is often enough. The length is up to you to decide when the camera has been pointed at a subject long enough. We once received and aired a program that was 30 minutes of a local babbling brook with a combination of natural sound and poetry narration. A perfect community program that was easy to produce.
Another option might be the family with a child involved in scouting or an after- school activity or hobby. Parents of a Boy or Girl Scout have the opportunity to capture all kinds of scouting related events, parades, award ceremonies, etc. Little league games or Pee Wee Football matches also make good community television. When a child expresses an interest in videotaping, community television presents a unique opportunity for parent and child to learn and work together. CTV21 can provide a custom experience to fit the schedule of a busy family and in a short time the finished program can be enjoyed in front of the family TV.
If an individual in the community is involved with a cause, either political, social, environmental, etc. there is opportunity to expand their reach. Local volunteer groups, clubs, and organizations are always looking for more participants and community television is a good way to help that effort. Town council and most commission meetings are open to the public and often overlooked for their importance until after the meeting has taken place. It is perfectly permissible for someone to walk into one of these meetings with a camera, sit down, and begin taping (just make sure the camera doesn’t block the audience view or cause a disruption).
Consider putting something you like on local TV - just point and shoot and call us.
CTV-21 is the community access channel for residents of the Charter service area. Anyone who lives within Charter’s 14-town coverage area may produce or provide a program to CTV-21. We provide a range of opportunities for anyone who wants to produce from quick and simple custom training to a comprehensive production workshop. All these services are provided free. Please call the department (203) 304-4050, or visit us on-line – either facebook, or www.communityvision21.com – for more information.
