Eros Salvatore is a volunteer at Access Tucson. He helps producers through providing tutoring for the Final Cut Pro editing program. His interest in volunteering developed after discovering Access Tucson as a media resource center and wanting to help others who are interested in making films and creating programming.

Eros was born in Ireland to parents who are writers and who traveled around the world. Unlike his parents, Eros didn’t want to use writing when it came to the art of expression so he decided to define himself through film.

He didn’t have an interest in film at first, but at the age of 35 his thoughts on it changed. Eros had a friend that had a heart for the art of filmmaking. He traveled alongside him and soon become inspired by his experience and realized his own passion for film. Without the inspiration from his friend, Eros wouldn’t have the passion for filmmaking that he has today.

Eros has volunteered previously for public access television before coming to Access Tucson. His first encounter with public access was when he lived in Oregon. His first experiences were taking production classes and producing live programming. He came to Tucson two years ago looking to make a short film. Eros tells me that “location is the most important thing in shooting a film. I moved to Tucson in order to shoot at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun which fit the story of my film.” Knowing there had to be a public access facility downtown; he went to a local café and discovered it right across the street.

He got involved with taking the required introduction classes in order use the equipment to make his film. He has continued to volunteer and to offer his time. He is now working on shooting two short films called “Tasha’s Dream” and “Nadia’s First Love.” Once he finishes shooting his film’s he plans to summit them to the Sundance Film Festival. Access Tucson has helped him with his film making by allowing him to use their equipment and giving him experience.

Be there or be square!

Saturday, July 9th, 2:30 – 6:00 pm
Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

Please contact Carl Fiske to register for this event:

520-225-0027
existkind@aim.com

He was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina and moved to Tucson eight years ago. He is the middle child with an older brother, 27 and a younger sister, 9.

Darious is an intern at Access Tucson. He heard about Access Tucson through an internship coordinator at the U of A who thought this would be a great opportunity for him. He has a passion for telling stories and enjoys illustrating them through film. He also likes using media as another form of self-expression. Access Tucson provides the community with the tools and a place to tell their stories through media which makes it an ideal internship for Darious.
As an intern Darious immediately started editing promos for the station. Access Tucson now has promos for Democracy Now! and the kids’ summer classes running on the channels.

Darious says about his internship, “I’m excited that I’m getting a chance to improve my editing skills and also the opportunity to give back to a great organization. I can’t wait to get more experience in the studio.”

Once he graduates Darious hopes to move to Los Angeles to produce movies; drama, horror or whatever else he finds interesting. Darious is enjoying working as an intern, “I highly advise anyone to do an internship with Access Tucson. It’s very intern friendly and provides many opportunities to learn and to have hands on experience.”

Video Production
2 weeks, M-F, 9am to Noon
Session 1 starts June 20
Session 2 starts July 11
Fee: $250

Animation
1 week, M-F, 9am to Noon
Session 1 starts June 20
Session 2 starts July 11
Fee: $180

Studio Production
1 week, M-F, 9am to Noon
Session 1 starts June 27
Session 2 starts July 18
Fee: $180

For more information 186 KiB
You must have a PDF reader to view and print this file.

Contact Lisa Horner at 624-9833 x 109 or 275-0864 (mobile) or lisa@accesstucson.org to sign up.

March 31st from 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Any interested certified volunteers are welcome to attend a free refresher training session organized by Carl Fiske and facilitated by the old gang: Kevin, Jeff, and Rob.

Carl will stage an interview with entertainment interludes and record it. The idea is for crew members to have a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with production techniques. You’ll get to try out zany things that you may not have time to play with during a live show. You’ll also be able to review tried-and-true interview production techniques and really tighten up your skills to make a polished show.

Please RSVP to Carl Fiske at existkind@aim.com or call 225-0027. We look forward to seeing you there!

Similar to last year, Access Tucson will close it’s facility for the month of June. All employees will be furloughed without pay for that month in order to deal with budget cuts. Programming on the channels will continue through master control automation.

However, the closure will prohibit the intake and processing of programs. Master control operators will be using the month of May to process the programs and pre-schedule the channels for June. The cablecast rule that producers must turn in a new episode at least every four weeks will be suspended for June.

Deadlines

As mentioned previously in the March 25th eNewsletter, the deadline for tape producers (local and import) to submit programming for June is Wednesday May 5.

Live producers may submit their last live show through Saturday May 22 on the day it was live to play in June.

Producers may only submit up to two programs for June. Please be sure to use a cablecast calendar so staff knows which episode you want to play when.

Last Tuesday 3/9 the Mayor and Council took an important step toward the survival of community media in Tucson. By a vote of 6-1 (with Councilmember Rodney Glassman voting no – he moved to eliminate all funding for Access Tucson next year but that motion died for lack of a second) they directed Tucson 12 to move in with Access Tucson at 124 E. Broadway. They also said that there will be parity* of funding and support for Tucson 12 and Access Tucson. While the details of Tucson 12’s move have yet to be worked out, there was clear support for both Access Tucson and Tucson 12 to continue to provide their award-winning services into the future.

*According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, parity means equality in power, value, etc.

Access Tucson will re-open next Wednesday

Last Thursday 3/11 the Access Tucson Board met and approved a work-plan and budget from the time we re-open next Wednesday, March 24th until the next planned closure – the month of June. With zero funding for January to June some very tough choices have been made.

There will be changes

Things will be different. Almost half of the Access Tucson staff has been laid off due to the elimination of funding that started January. The staff that remains will be coming off of a six week furlough and will be furloughed again the month of June.

Production services will be on a different schedule. Our hours of operation through May will be Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. each day. Check-ins and check-outs of equipment and limited classes will occur only on these days. Some producers who had times reserved other than these hours will need to re-schedule.

No studio production or anchor desk classes will be offered through May.

All services to non-profit groups and organizations have been cut through May.

The cablecast schedule remains as is through May however, programs will now need to be turned in five days in advance of any scheduled playback. Details of how the June closure will effect programming will be forthcoming soon and expect a revamped cablecast lottery in July for a new season starting in September.

There may be other interruptions in services the next two months as the building is changed to make room for Tucson 12.

All of these things are being done with the least possible impact on members and producers, yet the impact will still be felt by all.

Board nomination period extended

Access Tucson has also extended the time-line to run for the four open seats on the Board of Directors. Applications are now due on Friday, April 2nd at 5:00 p.m. Please download the application here or visit Access Tucson during the new operating hours starting March 24th for an application.

Thanks to all

Your support and understanding during this time has been tremendous. You have protected the voice of the public and free speech in Tucson. Please stay in touch as we work to strengthen that voice and the future of public access.

Today, the Mayor and Council passed a motion that directs City staff to support both Tucson 12 and Access Tucson with parity next fiscal year. So starting July 1st, the government’s voice (Tucson 12) and the people’s voice (Access Tucson) will be supported equally by the City of Tucson. This motion was made by Karin Uhlich and passed 6-1 with Councilman Rodney Glassman voting no.

The motion also included that the City negotiate to get out of the Pioneer lease as soon as possible and for Tucson 12 to move to the Access Tucson building at 124 E. Broadway. The savings from the Pioneer rent are to be used for Access Tucson’s support. City staff, Tucson 12 and Access Tucson are to come back in 30 days with a detailed plan for the co-location.

No additional financial support will be provided by the City to Access Tucson this year and any additional support needed for public access services will be provided by the Tucson 12 staff.

Sam Behrend, Access Tucson Executive Director will bring a plan about going forward to the Access Tucson Board of Directors meeting Thursday, March 11th at 5:00pm.

Access Tucson appreciates all of the hard work and sacrifices made to get us this far and especially appreciate Karin Uhlich’s focus on this item today. This is clearly a positive step for the future and longevity of community media in Tucson.

The City promised to move quickly. The City Manager’s recommendation to keep Access Tucson operating was supposed to go to the Mayor and Council by February 23rd but did not; it has been put on the Council agenda for this coming Tuesday, March 9th during their study session at 11am.

The result of this two-week delay: Access Tucson will now remain closed through March 23rd.

Every week that there is a delay in resolving the problem of having all funding cut is a week that:

• There will be no new shows because no cameras, microphones or lights will be checked out, and there will be no editing time.
• There will be no studio productions, which means 108 new shows will not be produced or aired.
• There will be no local community affairs programming produced.
• There will be no local event coverage.
• There will be no classes for media and internet training.
• There will be no youth programs.

Encore programming continues… for now, but public access is in real jeopardy.

Without continuation funding, Public Access facilities will remain closed—and the public voice on the airwaves is lost. Don’t let city inaction push your voice—and that of other people—off the airwaves.

Please take a moment to:

1. Sign on to an online petition being circulated by public access producers asking the Council to restore Access Tucson funding immediately.

2. Contact the Mayor and Council to let them know why community media is important to you.

Let the Mayor and Council know that you:

Understand that the city is required to provide public access under its own cable ordinance; that Cox Cable subscribers pay a monthly $1.38 fee that would appear to provide funding for Public, Education, and Government (PEG) access channels.

Support efforts to find cost-conscious solutions that maximize resources for our community and that an acceptable solution will ensure that public access (Access Tucson) receives no less than the same resources as government access (Tucson 12). Keep both the City’s voice AND the people’s voice alive and well.

Ask that continuation funding be provided to Access Tucson, to keep the programming going while longer term solutions such as co-locating or combining public and government access are being sought.

3. Join the growing list of people who financially support Access Tucson.

Act now … or you could lose your voice for good.

Green Teen Video Contest is a youth produced video competition for youth aged 12 to 18 designed to connect teens from around the region and world, so that they can share and develop their visions for a sustainable future. This is a contest in conjunction with the Annual Youth Environment Summit held at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Who Can Enter
- Anyone between the ages of 12 and 18.
- Youth from all states, countries and nations can enter.

Why You Should Enter
All youth who worked on a winning film will be invited to the Red Carpet Film Premier of submitted films to be held at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona.

Out-of-town FILM CREWS invited to the Red Carpet film premier will be awarded a travel allowance of up to $200 cash.

The 2 Grand Prize Winning films (one Eco-Ad and one Eco-Documentary) will be awarded a CASH PRIZE of $100 for each member of the FILM CREW.

This contest gives you a chance to let your voice be heard, to connect with like-minded youth from around the world and gives you a chance to develop your film making skills through our FREE film making workshops hosted by Access Tucson.

For all the info about the Youth Environment Summit and the Green Teen Video Contest, click here:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

- Add graphics
- Create stills
- Add motion effects

October 26th
5:45 – 10:00 pm
$30

Sign up @ the Front Desk Today!
Access Tucson Studio certification required.

The Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) Awards are right around the corner. In an attempt to maintain a fair and balanced competition, some categories may be altered or discontinued. Before making any changes, we want your feedback. We have created a brief on-line survey to garner your opinions. It should only take you only about 10 minutes and would be immensely helpful.

Just click this link to take the survey:

WAVE Awards Category Survey

Please don’t delay. We ask that you complete this survey no later than Monday May 25, 2009.

Media is certainly a part of our lives and our childrens’ lives. The Access Tucson Summer Session gives kids a new perspective and understanding of television and media. Through creating their own productions, children are no longer simple consumers of television, but programmers. This experience enables them to better understand all the media messages they see daily and have a fun time learning!

Summer Session Members:

• Work in a team oriented environment.

• Utilize writing and communication skills.

• Create with sound and images.

• Learn to produce their own messages for television.

In addition to the new skills learned through the Summer Session program, all of the students receive certification for utilizing the Access Tucson Facilities year round!

All participants will receive a copy of Summer Session 2009.

Animation
Create your own cartoons!

With an easy to use animation program, imagination and a soundtrack, students can make expressive short videos using hand-drawn subjects. This one week class lets students learn about art and computers.

Animation instructor Eleanor Kohloss has been producing animation for television for eight years and has taught animation for the Tucson Pima Arts Council youth program in addition to the Access Tucson courses. Eleanor received the Alliance for Community Media Award for her animated feature “Two All-Beef Patties.”

Studio Production
Start your own TV show!

The Access Tucson studios provide an exceptional production environment for creating television. The Studio Production class provides comprehensive multi-camera studio production training. Each student will participate in studio lighting, audio, camera operation and directing. Class members plan and produce a studio program.

Studio Production instructor Larry Foster is an Access Tucson staff member and has worked as an instructor for the U of A’s Media Arts Program, teaching film production & technique. He has had an extensive career in the television industry acting as a director for KUAT, KOLD and KGUN’s newscasts.

Video Production
Make your own Movie!

This session provides instruction for shooting video on location to make your own film. Camera technique, lighting, audio, scripting and computer-based editing are all covered in this class.

Video Production instructor Tim O’Grady is an Access Tucson staff member and has worked as a videographer and editor for KOLD Channel 13 & Tucson 12, the City information channel in addition to numerous commercials and syndicated programs.

What is Access Tucson?
Access Tucson was established in 1984 as an independent, non-profit, membership based organization for the management of public access. Access Tucson remains a vital community resource by providing training and facilities for Tucsonans to communicate with the community utilizing electronic media. We operate two channels on the city cable system. Training for using our facilities is provided at a low cost and use of our production facilities is free.

Who should attend the Access Tucson Summer Session?
This special program offers skill building for young people ages 9 and up. No prior experience in media is necessary. The Summer Session production classes will be challenging for both beginners and experienced producers.

Summer Session Schedule

Animation
5 Weekdays
9:00am – 12:00pm
Ages 9 & Up
Session 1: July 6–10, 2009
Session 2: July 13–17, 2009
Session 3: August 3-7, 2009

Studio Production
5 Weekdays
9:00am – 12:00pm
Ages 9 & Up
Session 1: July 20–24, 2009
Session 2: July 27–31, 2009

Video Production
10 Weekdays
9:00am – 12:00pm
Ages 9 & Up
July 20 – 31, 2009

Summer Session Fees

Animation
$160

Studio Production
$160

Video Production
$210

Payment is due at the time of registration. Fees are payable with MasterCard, Visa, guaranteed check or cash.

All workshops will be held at the Access Tucson facility:
Access Tucson
124 East Broadway
624-9833

Known as the “Emmy” of Public Access and Community Media channels, the Hometown Video Awards were presented by the Alliance for Community Media in Washington, D.C. on July 9, 2008. Tucson Mayor Robert E. Walkup presented the awards to two Access Tucson producers and to Access Tucson and its organizational partner, the National Day of Prayer Committee of Pima County, during the September, 3, 2008 City Council Meeting.

This year there were 1100 entries for the Hometown Awards. The ACM promotes excellence in local broadcasting and maximum public access to the airwaves.
____________________________________________________________

The Black Man Clay Show–Music Video Award

Two-year member/producer of Access Tucson, Eric Heithaus and his wife, Amy rock. Their 30-minute Black Man Clay Show won a Hometown Award for the best music video.

Also a guitarist and a composer, Eric has known lead vocalist, flutist and co-composer Black Man Clay for 20 years. Videotaping every Black Man Clay Show band performance for two years, Heithaus brought the group into Studio A and also taped them performing around Tucson.

Heithaus says he couldn’t have done it with out the services of Access Tucson members: videographer Mark Jordan, lighting director Emily Belleranti and photographer Kathleen Dreier. He also praises the excellent training and technical advice from the staff at Access Tucson and says he willingly gives back to Access Tucson by operating audio on Local Matters and other projects.

Read more about The Black Man Clay Show-Music video award in
Billboard magazine.

Best Music Video Award (L-R) Vicki Evans- Access Tucson Outreach Manager, Eric Heithaus- Producer, Mark Jordan- Videographer, Jim Thomas- Access Tucson Production Manager, Lisa Horner- Training Manager
____________________________________________________________

National Day of Prayer—Spiritual/Inspirational Award

Congress established an annual day of prayer in 1952 and in 2006 Access Tucson was asked by the Pima County Faith Based Office and the local National Day of Prayer Committee to cover and televise the city-wide event held at Reid Park.

This program also won the WAVE award in the same category at the Alliance for Community Media Western region Conference held in Ventura, California on October 27, 2007.

For more information go to National Day of Prayer website.
____________________________________________________________

The Flying Circus Club—Access Promo Program Award

Best Public Access Promo (L-R) Joe Cox- Producer, Jim Thomas- Access Tucson Production Manager

The Flying Circus Club producer, 17-year old Joe Cox describes his show as “presenting different types of comedy including British, American and unconventional humor.” Joe shows clips form YouTube that “people don’t see on broadcast TV”.

Coming up on The Flying Circus Club will be on-air talent shows. Joe has taken Studio Production, Digital Field Production, Anchor desk and Intro to Access Production and is a regular volunteer on Access Tucson remote productions.

Check out the Flying Circus Club
Friday at 10pm Cox/120 digital & Comcast/72
Sunday at 12pm Cox/99 and Comcast/74
Or watch on line at Access Tucson

You can produce your own promo and submit it for the new season. Be sure that it is no more than 30 seconds in length. You may submit promos on DVCPro or Mini-DV. Turn them in just as you would any program at the front desk—please indicate that it’s a promo. If you are creating a promo at Access Tucson in one of the studios, ask the Facilitator on duty for the DVCPro Promo Tape. You can record your promo and we’ll take care of turning it in for cablecast!

Access Tucson schedules these promos between the programs and they air very frequently. Call the front desk for more information or to schedule a production time.

promo-daze-worksheet.doc

Begin the evening at 6pm in Studio A as part of the audience for a live, televised panel: Building Free Speech Protecting the Future of Media Democracy. This program was developed by Access Tucson 5 years ago as a part of a nation-wide effort of community and independent media organizations to address media and free speech issues.

The majority of America’s news and entertainment is now commercially produced, delivered and controlled by a handful of media giants, and this corporate consolidation has dangerously limited media competition and maximized corporate profits rather than promote the public interest.

Obviously, we believe that the public has a right to well-funded national public television, local public access channels, community radio, affordable internet access and media that reflects the voices and people of the community.

Access Tucson televises the hour-long program, live, with a studio audience and viewers who are encouraged to submit questions.

This year’s panelists include:
Michael Chihak, Editor and Publisher of the Tucson Citizen;

Kevin Kemper, UofA Assoc. Prof in Journalism. Teaches “Law of the Press” among other courses.

Michael Mulcahy, Award-winning film and video maker whose work focuses on the complex intersection of private choices within the realm of public society. Assoc Prof at UA.

Moderator; Cynthia Dickstein, Freelance writer published most frequently in the Boston Globe; New England Soc. of Newspaper Editors; Director of Foreign Exhanges/Member 1984-2005. Access Tucson Board of Directors.

Immediately following the panel, head for the lobby and conference room to mingle with your fellow members and producers. Talk about the issues, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, the announcement of newly elected board members and special recognition for Access Tucson volunteers!

Cynthia Dickstein, Michael Chihak, City Council Member Karin Uhlich, Michael Mulcahy, Kevin Kemper

Your action is needed today to prevent Cox Communications from using their influence with the Arizona State Legislature from circumventing the cable television license renewal negotiating process with the City of Tucson to make an end run to END PUBLIC ACCESS IN TUCSON by JUNE 30! I am not crying wolf – I have spent much of the last two weeks in Phoenix and have seen for myself the incredible access and power of the small army of Cox staffers, lawyers and lobbyists. It is OUTRAGEOUS and MUST BE STOPPED!

Cox got their way last year getting a law passed that severely crippled the City’s position to negotiate a license renewal in the community’s best interest. Now they are going further! They are pulling out all stops to bring the City and our community to its knees!

This new law would reward Cox for walking away from the negotiating table altogether! The end result would be that Tucson would no longer have 9 public, educational and government channels on the Cox system, it would have a maximum of 4 – and three of them would be government channels.
This would leave only one channel for the public and education to share.

Cox has also used its database of 100,000 customers in Tucson to successfully encourage hundreds to click a button on their website to send emails to the City Council and Legislature. Your elected officials need to hear from YOU and it needs to be done TODAY!

Please take just a few minutes of your time to let the State House members know that YOU OPPOSE HB 2069 the strike everything Cable TV bill.

Tell them that you don’t think the State should interfere with the negotiations between Cox and the City of Tucson.

Tell them why the PEG channels are important to you.

I’m sure the lawmakers would rather hear what you have to say in your own words rather than getting hundreds of identical emails generated by Cox. They may vote on this bill as early as TOMORROW!

Here are the email addresses of the House members which you can copy and paste into your email message:

eableser@azleg.gov; kadams@azleg.gov; malvarez@azleg.gov; manderson@azleg.gov; rbarnes@azleg.gov; nbarto@azleg.gov; abiggs@azleg.gov; tboone@azleg.gov; dbradley@azleg.gov; jbrown@azleg.gov; jburges@azleg.gov; jburns@azleg.gov; Ocajerobedford@azleg.gov; chcampbell@azleg.gov; clcampbell@azleg.gov; dclark@azleg.gov; rcrandall@azleg.gov; scrump@azleg.gov; mdesimone@azleg.gov; adriggs@azleg.gov; sfarley@azleg.gov; efarnsworth@azleg.gov; sgallardo@azleg.gov; mgarcia@azleg.gov;
tgroe@azleg.gov; phershberger@azleg.gov; jkavanagh@azleg.gov; akirkpatrick@aleg.gov; bkonopnicki@azleg.gov; plopes@azleg.gov; llopez@azleg.gov; dlujan@azleg.gov; lmason@azleg.gov; mmcclure@azleg.gov; jmccomish@azleg.gov; bmcguire@azleg.gov; nmclain@azleg.gov; rmeza@azleg.gov; bmiranda@azleg.gov; rmurphy@azleg.gov; jnelson@azleg.gov; wnichols@azleg.gov; lpancrazi@azleg.gov; jpaton@azleg.gov; rpearce@azleg.gov; tprezelski@azleg.gov; mreagan@azleg.gov; prios@azleg.gov; brobson@azleg.gov; lsaradnik@azleg.gov; dschapira@azleg.gov; ksinema@azleg.gov; bstump@azleg.gov; jthrasher@azleg.gov; atobin@azleg.gov; atom@azleg.gov; tulmer@azleg.gov; Jweiers@azleg.gov; jpweiers@azleg.gov; syarbrough@azleg.gov

Please copy the Mayor and City Council to show them you care about this issue. They are fighting hard to preserve the PEG channels and need to hear from you too.

email_mayor@tucsonaz.gov; jose.ibarra@tucsonaz.gov; ward2@tucsonaz.gov; ward3@tucsonaz.gov; ward4@tucsonaz.gov; steve.leal@tucsonaz.gov; ward6@tucsonaz.gov

We will keep you updated here on our website.

Access Tucson has been able to serve you and your groups and organizations since 1984. There is simply no other place where non-commercial television programs from our community can be seen. Please take just a few minutes to try to save this unique community resource!

Sincere Thanks,

Sam Behrend
Executive Director
Access Tucson
Where Tucson’s On TV
(at least for now)

Chris Mongomery, the producer, had this to say about the winning episode:
–

• Bruce Whitmire of Living Water International, who was featured on this episode, donated the use of his agency’s well-drilling equipment to drill 10 water wells in Benin, West Africa (at a cost of $30,000.00 U.S. dollars each), saving tens of thousands of lives that would otherwise have been ended by water-borne diseases and dying of thirst.
• This episode has helped to rally support from various groups across the U.S. to aid Benin in the areas of education, healthcare, water, electricity, housing, economics, etc. and (our host Robert’s favotite) childrens’ hospitals and orphanages, as well as building tolerance and understanding between different religious groups and points of view, and bringing American heroes and heroines to the forefront in Africa.
• As a result of this program, a 3-day concert for 50,000 people in Africa was put together by Russian satellite broadcaster Yaniv Lior of RRSAT.
• This episode has opened up invitations for our organization from numerous countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean, a success we believe was possible only because we stayed loyal to access programming and program content, instead of taking the opportunities we had to pursue broadcast television, with big budgets – but also with changes to our program’s format that we could not accept.
• During the filming of this episode, the opportunity was opened by State Representative Leah Landrum of the Arizona House of Representatives for us to do monthly exclusive feeds from the State Capitol. This is something we are still in the process of preparing a crew to pursue.
• The episode also helped adoption agencies endorsed by the White House to facilitate increased international adoptions of children from overseas.
• Our organization received a Golden Heart Award from the International Army of Compassion for our efforts to aid the advancement of developing African nations.
• The success of this episode encouraged our host, Robert Choate, to complete his first book, entitled City Talks: A Chauffeur’s Healing Confessions, to be published soon.

Chris Montgomery
“City Talks”

Studio Production
Ever watch a TV talk-show and think just with the people you know here in Tucson, you could make a more interesting show? Well, do it! Sign-up for the Studio Production class and learn everything about creating your own studio show. In just six nights you’ll be directing from the control room. See the Classes section for dates and times.

Digital Field Production
Think of all the good stories, projects and culture here in Tucson that people don’t know about. Get the tools and training to share those stories with all of Tucson! Sign-up for the Digital Field Production class and learn how to document these stories and turn them in to TV to be seen! See the Classes section for dates and times.

Producers need to determine what shows/tapes they want to run during the closure and turn in a cablecast calendar at the front desk. If a producer doesn’t submit a cablecast calendar, Access Tucson will play the most recent show that’s been turned in.

Closure dates for all of 2006 and 2007 are also available.

Wave Awards

The winners were announced at the WAVE Awards Ceremony on October 27, 2006 in San Jose California. The WAVE Awards were created in 1988 to recognize and promote the best in local community programming produced in the Western region of the Alliance for Community Media (ACM). The Western region includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico.

Bunny Uriarte

Martha McGrath

Access Tucson has long worked with non-profit and civic organizations, educating the public about the services these orgainzations provide. We make it our business to fill those gaps that the mainstream media often ignore.

It’s been exceptionally busy the past three months: 8 shoots on location and one live show from Studio A gave Tucsonans the opportunity to enjoy diverse community programming. 30 Access Tucson volunteers donated nearly 250 hours of crew time. The earliest crew call was 4am for AIDSWALK 2006. The longest shoot was the Musciale Regale coming in at 16 hours!

Each location shoot requires decisions about what type of shoot(truck, mini-mobile, or package) is best for the event; plus site visits, a ton of equipment wrangling, selecting a crew and expecting the unexpected. Now, the behind the scenes tour:

Viva Arizona! concert at the UA Centennial Hall with the production truck. A 13-hour day and 10 Access Tucson volunteers brought the history of Hispanic dance and music in Tucson to your television. We also produced and aired a 30 second event PSA for Viva Arizona! to help them promote the concert, and hosted the organization on Local Matters.

Ashli Cotton and Fara Baidinger make sure all is O.K.

Waiting to go on at Viva Arizona!

Byron Bissell and Marco Sanchez take a break

2006 Election: Access Tucson cablecast the most extensive debate coverage in S. Arizona.
We partnered with the Arizona Daily Star and Pima Community College to shoot and televise the Primary Election Candidate Debates for Congressional District 7 and the nationally-watched race in District 8. We also joined with the Arizona Clean Election Commission to air all of the locally contested legislative races (8) and state offices.

For the General Election debates we went live with a studio audience for the Cogressional District 7 candidates and took the mini-mobile to Pima Community College for the CD8 debate–this program was on the air 45 minutes after the debate finished! We used the new Tricaster digital switcher in the mini-mobile for this shoot. C-SPAN aired the District 8 debate and CNN used many video clips leading up to the election.

We aired 11 other local legislative and state debates produced by the Clean Election Commission. And produced and cablecast numerous PSAs promoting the debates, which also aired on Pima Community College channels. And we featured the Arizona Daily Star Election Team on our weekly, live program, Government Connection.

Citizens wait for the debate to begin

Mini-mobile, poised and ready

The new digital Tricaster switcher makes its debut

City of Tucson Welcomes the new UA President, Robert Shelton. A shoot/edit package at two locations. Access Tucson partnered with Council Offices Ward 3 and 6. A first-time volunteer, fresh from Digital Field Production class, has to unexpectedly fill in at a camera position and does a wonderful job.

AIDSWALK 2006 Began before the sun came up. We set up in the dark on the UA Mall. Seven cameras and volunteers scattered to shoot the 10K race and the 5K walk, the opening ceremonies, the displays, interviews and the thousands of people who made the walk a success for the Southern Arizona Aids Foundation. We aired a pre-produced PSA for SAAF and featured the organization of Local Matters.

Mark Jordan and Vicki Evans begin the day

Gordon Austin is on top of it

Enjoying the day at AIDSWALK 2006

Musicale Regale 2006 The world famous Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus annual kick-off concert. Probably the most physically strenous shoot. The venue was the UA Student Union Ballroom—up 2 flights of steps from the production truck and far from the elevator. All cameras (5), miles of camera and audio cable and accessories were hauled up and down the stairs. Again, a brand new volunteer, who didn’t expect to run a camera was thrown on one at the last minute and stayed 2 hours longer than he intended. This was the 16-hour day and no one could feel his legs when it was over.

Tucson’s renowned Boys Chorus

First time volunteer, Dominic Mamaril makes it look easy

Stephen St. Clair makes it look easy

Memory Walk 2006 Access Tucson managed to stetch its resources, thanks to volunteers, and shoot this event on the same day as the Musicale Regale. Though small, the crew was efficient and covered the entire event: the walk, entertainment and interviews. We helped the Alzheimer’s Association of S. Arizona promote this event by producing and airing a 30 second PSA and an appearance on Local Matters.

Tim O’Grady and Fara Baidinger unload gear

Signing up for the Memory Walk

Shooting interviews helps tell the story

Tucson Money Faire was a first-time, special one-stop event to combat predatory lenders and offered consumers free credit reports, tax prepartation and financial services for low and moderate income consumers. To promote this event we produced a 30 second PSA for the Westside Coalition, Weed and Seed Program, and an appearance by 2 of the sponsors on Government Connection. (One crew person finds, in the remote gear, her glasses which had been missing for 5 months–since the Juneteenth, 2-day remote!)

Please join us for our last remote shoot of the year. With our production truck, we go live from our parking lot to bring you the Holiday Parade of Lights from 6-9pm on December 9th. This is the second annual partnership between Access Tucson and the Tucson Downtown Alliance.

Check out for yourself just what “behind the scenes” with Access Tucson is all about. And if you can’t be here; watch the parade live on Access Tucson channels Cox/99 Comcast/74.

As Access Tucson teaches individuals to “do” television, so we provide services to organizations to educate, inform and promote public dialogue through cable television. Our definition of community is limitless.

at Access Tucson
Wednesday, November 1
5:45pm-10pm

Upgrade Your Studio A Production Effects and Graphics!

The Trinity workshop will consist of basic switcher operation, creating text and graphics in Titlewave and Pananimation along with file management.

After attending the workshop, more advanced and in-depth instruction will be on an individual basis.

Studio Production Certification Required

$10.00 Deposit
Limited class size
Sign-up at the front desk.

Must be highly organized, can manage multiple tasks, detail oriented and is able to meet deadlines. Experience working with project teams, excellent verbal/written communication skills and proficient in MS Office. Salary $15.38 hr. Application and job description are available at 124 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85701 or accesstucson.org. Position open until filled. EOE

Employment Application Form (PDF)

Job Description for Admin Assistant (PDF)

UPDATE – 2006/11/20 – This position has been filled. Thank you.