Access Pinellas makes everyone would-be producers
By ANNE W. ANDERSON
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006
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| Photo by ANNE W. ANDERSON |
| Access Pinellas technician John Casimiro shows Joseph Reiff, 13, of St. Petersburg, the control panel. Reiff said he plans on producing a show “targeting kids between ages 13 and 16.” |
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CLEARWATER – Say ‘public television,’ and few people think about creating their own television show and airing it for the world to see.
But that’s exactly what Access Pinellas offers residents of Pinellas County – training, equipment, and airtime to cablecast (over Bright House Networks Channel 96 and Knology Channel 21) whatever interests them and might interest others.
On a recent Wednesday evening, 21 youths and adults took control of three studio television cameras at Access Pinellas’ studio, located at 333 Chestnut St.
After an orientation by technician John Casimiro and technical coordinator Jeremiah “J.J.” Johnson, the group took turns slipping on headsets and following instructions from the director in the control room.
Richard Logan, 14, of St. Petersburg, wearing a white shirt, sat on a stool on the small stage as trainees followed instructions to “zoom in” or “dolly out” with the cameras.
“See what happens when people wear white?” Johnson called out. He and Casimiro talked about how to minimize lens flare and how to light different colors.
“Any Pinellas County resident age 13 or older can come and learn how to use the equipment,” said Lisa Inserra, station manager. Inserra said that residents of other counties who are members of nonprofit organizations based in Pinellas County (churches, etc.) also may attend the 10-week classes.
Inserra said the training is provided in the hopes that residents will then provide the station with programs to air.
“We want voices from all over the county,” Inserra said. “This helps us all live together as a community.”
Those attending learn how to use portable (remote) cameras and sound equipment, studio equipment, and editing software. They also have access to props, sound effects, royalty-free music, and animated backgrounds. Everything an individual or a group might need to produce a one-time show or a series is available for a one-time fee of $30. Inserra said the rest of the funding for Access Pinellas comes from franchise fees paid to the county by cable channels.
Tony Ballard felt the training was sufficient. “They’re giving us enough knowledge that we can make it run,” the Largo resident said.
Programs scheduled for July included half-hour segments ranging from religious shows to ones on pets, dancing, and archaeology. Inserra said programs must follow FCC rules regarding obscenity, indecency, and profanity.
“Political candidates cannot stump for themselves,” Inserra added. “But all the candidates could come and do a public forum show.”
Kevin Carpenter, 18, of Largo, said that, after just a few classes, he’d already finished a show, “Random Thoughts,” to be aired three times a week during August.
Largo resident Ron Gamache plans a program about Pinellas County bikers, while Shelly Munoz of Belleair, said she’s doing a show on Catholicism.
Others, like Gary Horrell didn’t have specific program plans in mind yet.
“This looked like something fun to do,” said Horrell, who lives on Madeira Beach.
For information about classes, call Access Pinellas at 453-3057 or go to www.accesspinellas.org. Inserra said they hope to begin streaming programming over the Internet by early 2007.
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Article published on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006
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