The Rainbow of Community Access

If you came in expecting to see people in business suits that all look alike, you are in for a huge surprise. Ego and inflated egos, normal and natural human beings, domestic violence specialists, business professionals, Reverends, Pastors, gospel singers, muckrakers, animal-rights activists, and wanna-be porn stars, plumbers, students, teachers, artists and musicians -- these are just some of the personality types that you might see or meet inside the walls of community access television. Everyone will look different (though a few will look and act like clones) and their productions or attitudes about television will be just as different. There are cyclists, politicians, business-owners, and unicycle riders under the umbrella of community access television.

Characteristics of Community Access Television Producers:

There is one thing that is universal about all of them, they all need to help on four shows a year to remain certified; and there are other details of certification and keeping certification for the serious candidates or producers. Something else you might experience or see on the community access level is that most are trying to achieve success in television, while others are studying and still others are just doing shows for their employers or sponsors. Inside, behind the walls of community access television you will see these also:

• Some are extremely helpful and respectful.

• There are genuine warm-hearted individuals and there are angry two-faced individuals.

• Some producers who hate each other (You can tell by the way they speak about other producers)

• Some producers form their own cliques.

• Some producers expect help from you but do not volunteer to help you; that is the one-way volunteer problem.

• Some producers who are extremely professional.

• Some producers are respectful while others are downright and upright rude.

• Some are polite and others are very bossy and controlling personalities.

• They are like snowflakes, no two producers are alike in every way.

Work With Professionals:

If you are fortunate, you will work with the professional polite ones. And if you are unfortunate, you will work with the uncaring ones and learn your lessons the hard way. The best thing for you to do is focus on perfecting your art, and do not pay attention to the childish individuals whom you meet. Time will tell and time will show you what is real and what is not real, what is good for you and your productions and what is bad for you and your productions.

What is the good news then? The good news is that you will meet some very smart people, and some warm-hearted individuals if you stay long enough in community access television.

Some Advice: Here are some little bits of advice to the new people in community access television or to those considering taking some courses in the subject.

1. When and if you hear gossip about someone, do not believe the gossip. This is not saying that it is not true, but it is saying that gossip is bad for self-esteem, morale and bad for building any type of relationship, whether personal or business relationship.

2. When you meet an unprofessional producer, do not let that one experience turn you off to television production. There are all kinds. And for that one rude or obnoxious producer, you will meet probably 100 more that are polite and professional.

3. If you meet a producer who appears to know it all, he probably does not.

4. Be responsible for your own equipment. If you are going out on your own field/remote shoot, pick up, carry and deliver your own equipment back to the P.E. Room instead of letting other producers take that responsibility.

5. Remember your main purpose for being a television producer and stick to that main purpose, no matter what anyone tells you.

6. Keep children, talent, guests and other producers away from your robotic cameras.

MAJORITY:

The majority of the people you will meet inside of community access television will be polite, professional individuals. So, go with a positive attitude and you will have a most wonderful time during your studies, practice and your shows. In a short time there, you will learn whom the professionals are and you will learn (by observation) whom the characters are that you should not work with. Remember these few things and you cannot go wrong - Do not listen to gossip but observe producers yourself to really get to know them. Make no assumptions at all. Watch how producers treat other producers - in this way, you will learn how they will treat you on your show or on their show. Seeing is believing. So that is the best attitude to have at community access. Go by what you see not by what you hear. The majority of producers, staff, interns, guests, hosts, co-hosts, audiences and all the people who work in and around community access are wonderful human beings.

Your Purpose?

So, since you are new here, perhaps you can think of what community access means to you. What do you intend to achieve by using community access to your own benefit? Some come to community access because their boss wants them to do a show about the company. Lots of producers have sponsors. Others come to community access because they have a strong (or mild) message to give to the world about a particular subject (i.e. about aids prevention, about domestic violence prevention, about health and home care or hospitals and many other topics). If you come to community access with a message you might do well to do some networking and see that other producers are doing the same topic. Sometimes producers can work in teams and their shows can compliment each others. Other times, many producers work solo (but still using other producers during production time -to help audio and camera etc). If your boss brought you to community access, you can still use your own creative abilities on the show or during pre-production by giving suggestions and sharing ideas about the show when applicable. If you came to community access to increase your education about television production, you can add to your education by checking out the free online schools that offer more courses. Also ask other seasoned producers for help and information and they probably will be glad to share this with you.

Variety:

You can join online groups of producers and some of those groups will enhance your experience at community access. (Some of our other articles will discuss online groups in full detail). There are hundreds of other ways to make your community access experience better than it it is already. The best improvement that you can do for your show is to gain the help of a variety of producers (both seasoned and new) rather than sticking to all one kind (for example, some producers enlist the help of other producers only if they have been at community access for one year or more). Do not put yourself in a box and restrict your creativity by using only seasoned producers. You are a new producer yourself , so you see firsthand that new producers have great input, and some of them are excellent producers. So when it comes time to do your show, you might benefit your show by using a mix of both seasoned producers and also newer producers.

Whatever your purpose at community access, always be professional, polite, courteous and respectful to staff, interns, other producers and to anyone else inside the community access building and studio. (I know that you most likely are that before I typed that; but I type that for some who might be reading who generally do not put professionalism or politeness first in your goals).

So, that is just a little of what it is like to be inside of a community access studio. You will meet all kinds, all personalities and you probably will see almost anything inside the building. So, knowing that you will not be shocked in the future. You are in for a ride. Put your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride. Your seatbelt will be respect, courtesy and professionalism. Now you are all set to do your own production. Good luck.

Contact me anytime if you want to share ideas, make suggestions, network or work on the show

Published author, creator of genuine, unique television shows that air on Time Warner and on Cablevision in New York City. A warm-hearted individual who gives a voice to those who have been silent all along. This author produces television shows about almost all topics that help people in their lives. Many of the shows are entertainment; some are information and resources and still others are festivals, fiestas, and community events that bring all people together in one place in the city or in the country. You can reach me here with a private or public message http://www.opendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=D750826

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