Newsletter
January 2002
From
the E.D.’s Desk
By
Jeff Hansell
A Brave New World
In an effort to increase understanding of our world
post- September 11th,
MATV will present some new educational programs provided to us at no charge
from The Research Channel (www. researchchannel.com). Entitled Responding
to September 11th,
this series includes programs like: An Introduction to Islam; Grief,
Fear, and Healing - How Does America Move On?; Why They Hate Us;
and
The Taliban and Global Terror, Inc. Watch for this series beginning
in January, dates and times to be announced.
I
also invite anyone, whether or not you are an MATV member, to consider
and suggest how Malden Access Television can do a better job to serve our
local community in the aftermath of the September 11th
terrorist attacks. How have the attacks and the war effort affected you
and your neighbors?What issues do you think need to be explored and discussed?
What can you contribute to such discussions? Please feel free to visit,
call or e-mail your thoughts and ideas to me (jeff@matv.org).Or
consult any MATV staff member at your convenience.
ACM-NE
Conference Fall 2001
As many of you know, MATV hosted the Alliance for
Community Media-Northeast Regional Conference & Video Festival Awards
right here in Malden on October 13th.
I am happy to report that the event was an unqualified success and drew
rave reviews from many of the nearly 100 participants who came from all
over New England and New York. I need to start by thanking Lee Ann Small
who did an extraordinary job coordinating our staff and volunteers, Anne
D’Urso-Rose for handling registration and being first on the scene
Saturday morning, and front desk receptionists Anna Pacheco and
Dianne
O’Brien who kept track of the numerous and mind-numbing details of
the video awards.Since the day’s theme was “Community Collaborations,”
it was gratifying that so many different people and organizations in Malden
worked together to make the day a success: MATV staff, board, & volunteers;
Malden city officials; and local residents.
After a rather stirring opening speech
(see excerpts, right)given at Malden City Hall by longtime MATV producer
and State Representative Chris Fallon, the conferees spent the morning
in one of four workshops. Held at MATV, the First Congregational Church,
Cyber Café @ Malden Square, and at Salemwood School’s new TV studio,
the workshops covered topics like: “Now that you have the technology, what
are you going to do with it?” & “How to produce the longest-running
TV series in public access TV history” (thanks to Robin and Laura Clifford
for their leadership and example).
For lunch, all were treated to a gourmet
buffet and presentation held in the lobby of Preotle, Lane & Associates,
an official sponsor of the conference. Mayor Richard Howard and
MATV board member Cynthia Fiducia spoke on “the power of collaboration”
and the potential of the TeleCom City project. A big THANK YOU here to
Debbie
Burke of the Mayor’s office whose efforts made the luncheon a highlight
of the day.
Following the afternoon sessions, everyone
met at the “MATV Bar & Café” for hors d’oeuvres, dinner and
drinks. Thanks to MATV producer & caterer Sal Khan for laying
out such a delicious spread and to my wife Sophie Launay for tending
the bar, which was on loan from the retro collection of Tina Jayroe.
Special thanks to George Manfra for his invaluable assistance.
After a couple of hours of conversation
and networking, the 4th
Annual ACM-NE Video Awards unwound at Beebe School with over 200 people
in attendance. A slate of guest presenters including: Wendy
Copithorne from AT&T Broadband (a major sponsor of
the festival), Jan Haughey from Crimson Tech, and Tara
Haggett from The Rendon Group helped to recognize many
volunteers and staff for their overall excellence in community media. While
Brooklyn Community TV and Wakefield Community TV took home most of the
plaques, MATV’s own Joshua Cheung won first place for his work on
Channel 15’s Community Bulletin Board. Bravo!
At the after-party, I (along with the
entire staff) was gratified that the day turned out so well. And after
hearing so many positive comments from the participants, I wondered if
MATV should host next year’s event? — Well maybe not.
Affordable Housing in
Malden
By
Gabriella Snyder-McWhirk
Being an active member of the Local Action
Committee (LAC), a Malden citizens group, I am glad that we were able to
use the resources provided by MATV to help further our goals for keeping
affordable housing in Malden. We were very fortunate to be able to produce
a timely informational program that presented the opinions of public officials
and private citizens on this issue. The program was screened at our Forum
on Affordable Housing, held on October 17, 2001 where nearly 200 local
citizens, including public officials, were in attendance. The program and
the forum itself helped to enlighten and inform community members about
this issue and gave many people an opportunity to express their personal
views.
This forum was an exciting event that
otherwise would have been experienced only by those present that evening
- had it not been for the presence of MATV cameras and a volunteer crew.
The airing of this program on MATV meant that the spirit of the people
concerned with the critical issue of housing costs was brought to light
and shared with thousands of other citizens.
As an educational tool, MATV’s role is
critical to our community’s dialogue and civic action - all essential elements
for an informed, vibrant and healthy democracy.
The Kindest Cut of All
MATV front desk receptionist Anna Pacheco (aka
Anna
Toni) and MATV volunteer producer Elizabeth Scorsello made the
cut! On October 30, short videos by Anna and Elizabeth were shown
in a video festival at the Coolidge Corner Movie House video screening
room in Brookline. Anna’s piece is entitled Biography of an Alien
and Elizabeth’s is called When I See You.
The festival was curated by MATV freelance
instructor Alberto Roblest, and included pieces by video artists
from Mexico as well as Cambridge and Malden. MATV members Donna
Spinelli and Peter Fellman were on hand with staffer Susan
Lawrence to hoist a cup of chai to celebrate, at a local cafe after
the show.
Excerpts
of Speech by State Representative Chris Fallon
Given at the Northeast Region ACM Conference - October
13, 2001
“MATV has been a tremendous asset to
our community. It has allowed us to bring together the diverse cultures
represented in this city…Community media centers are becoming the most
vital, and credible source of local information in almost two thousand
cities and towns across this country. Your constituents, as well as mine,
need this type of access and they see all of you as the experts who can
bring new ideas and new technologies into your communities.
As I see it, as one elected official,
your real job is promoting community dialogue between your fellow citizens
and neighbors on issues and concerns of the day. This is vital because
it allows community members to not only speak, but more importantly, to
be heard. And it is this kind of civil exchange of information, ideas and
opinions that enlivens our democracy and in fact, keeps our communities
healthy and informed .It is quite evident that under the present conditions
in which we are living as a result of Sept. 11th, we need to keep our communities
healthy, well-informed and free.
And this is why I ask all of you to
rise and meet the new challenge and to keep your channels open and keep
facilitating the dialogue among and between government officials, educators
and the residents of your communities…
I ask you to broaden your horizons by
reaching out to our neighbors around the world. There are many new and
emerging democracies in areas of the world that were formerly dictatorships
or authoritarian states. We know that the more we can assist all those
people and countries who are adopting democratic principles of government,
the more stable and more just our world will become. All of you can start
by reaching out to those new immigrants in your own community who have
come to our shores seeking freedom. These people have a great need to assimilate
to the new way of life they have found and at the same time, as we try
to do in the city of Malden, a need to preserve their cultural identity.
It seems to me that community media centers can help a great deal in this
regard. If you want to get to know the rest of the world, you can often
start right in your own backyard…
In closing, as we think about the troubled
times we now live in post-September 11th,
the best answer to tyranny is democracy, the best antidote to fear is freedom.
You who work in the field of public, educational and government access
TV are in the trenches everyday, defining our democracy by the freedoms
guaranteed under the First Amendment. Because without the First Amendment,
all the other amendments fall by the wayside…I know I speak for a lot of
the members of the House of Representatives, we DO understand what you
are doing, we DO recognize the importance of what you are doing, and we
stand ready to help you in any way we can.”
Digital Update
By Terlonzo Amos
If you’ve been in an MATV edit room lately, you probably
noticed some changes. In Edit 1, a new digital mixer and an additional
source deck have been installed. This allows for what is called “A/B roll”
as well as the capability to add many digital effects to your video. A/B
roll allows you to edit from two different source tapes at the same time
so that you can do dissolves, wipes, or any other mixing of the two signals
during the editing process. This can be great if you have a longer program
shot with two cameras. The system will make it easy to switch back and
forth between the two. Edit 1 is not a digital editing suite, but is now
an enhanced analog edit suite. Do not be intimidated by this new equipment!
An hour of training with a staff member will have you using these enhancements
with confidence, adding interesting visual effects and a more professional
look to your tapes.
In Edit 2, our first fully digital editing
system has been installed. The new Avio is an easy-to-use system that allows
you to “cut and paste” your edits in a non-linear fashion. Editing digitally
is like using a word processor instead of a typewriter. Our current Basic
Video class will be training on this system in January. There will be a
Digital
Editing for Experienced Producers classes starting in late January.
If you’re currently a certified MATV producer and would like to learn how
to use the Avio, this is the class for you. Incidentally, this digital
editing system has NOT replaced the old system in Edit 2.With a flick of
a switch, you can choose between editing on the old or new system.
Why have both analog AND digital at MATV?
It will be a while before “tape to tape” editing is phased out completely.
Because of the tremendous amount of storage space it takes to edit a program
digitally, some shows will continue to lend themselves to the analog format.
If you’re not planning to do a lot of editing of a long event that you’ve
taped (say a sports game, a stage production, a concert, etc.) you might
want to just stay with analog. For these reasons, as well as for economic
reasons, we will have both formats available at MATV. However, the enhancements
made to Edit 1 will stretch the creative potential of analog editing.
But there’s more. The Apple PowerMac G4
has just arrived loaded with the digital editing software iMovie
and Final Cut Pro. This system will initially be installed downstairs
and will be for staff use only. Eventually, our users will be able to receive
training and use this new system. Our new digital video camera, a Sony
DCR-VX2000 has arrived as well as a dual deck, which will allow you to
convert tapes from the mini-DV format to S-VHS. Yes, MATV has officially
entered the digital video age!Look for training workshops and more information
early in the New Year
Reviewers’
Reward: Heroes
are Everywhere
MATV’s Malden School Hour and
the Malden Public Library Young Adult room are co-sponsoring a book review
contest for kids in grades 5 through 8. The contest theme is “Heroes
are Everywhere.” To enter, kids must read a book and identify someone
in it who is a hero. Then the reader becomes a writer. Each
entrant must write a review that addresses a few questions about when,
where and why a person may become a hero — using the book as an example.
The Reviewers’ Rewards will include prizes
from Barnes & Noble, New England Comics, Papa Gino’s, and other
merchants. Judges for the contest will include Michele Hawkins,
a Malden writer of medical mysteries for children; Suzanne Tynemouth,
MATV board member and the librarian for the Salemwood School; Lee Ann
Small, assistant director of MATV; and Lucia Musilli, the Malden
Public Library’s Young Adult librarian.
The deadline for entries is February
15, 2002.For more information on entering the Reviewers’ Reward contest,
middle-school students, parents and teachers can contact Susan Lawrence
at schoolhour@matv.org, or
call Lucia Musilli at the Malden Public Library (781-324-0218).
Election
2001: MATV Had It Covered
By Chris Simonelli, City Council
President
Anyone in Malden who felt uninformed about Election
2001 must not have been watching MATV during the election campaign. The
local access channels were used in a number of ways to educate and inform
the Malden public about the candidates, the issues, and the election process
itself.
As always, candidates used the Government
Access (Channel 16) Electronic Bulletin Board to promote their political
campaigns. This year, we were able to submit photographs that were added
to the text message, which helped citizens recognize us. Each candidate
was also invited to participate in MATV’s taping of Meet The Candidates
where we had the opportunity to give speeches about our goals for the city.
These candidate “spots” were given generous airtime in the weeks leading
up to both the primary and general election. In addition, MATV featured
a School Committee Ward 8 debate, co-produced and hosted by volunteer Susan
Reingold. Ward 8 had the distinction of having four candidates competing
in the primary election. MATV also assisted in the production of two programs
on the Community Preservation Act, the subject of the only ballot question
in the election.City Councilor
Eleanor
Cushing produced the program in support of the CPA and Councillor-at-large
candidate Mike Sheehan produced a program with an opposing view.
Both programs helped to inform and enlighten viewers about this important
ballot question.
Several volunteer producers at MATV featured
programs on the candidates and the issues on Public Access Channel 3.These
shows included Malden Public Radio, Malden This Week, Malden Square,
and
Asian Spectrum. The election itself was covered in depth with
the program Election 2001 hosted by community members Brendan
Duffy and Susan Reingold. The coverage cut between the MATV studio
and Government Center, with polling results reported as they became available.
All the candidates were given the opportunity to be interviewed and to
reflect on the campaign and the election.
As an elected official in the City of
Malden, I appreciate the resources provided by our community media center,
MATV, which plays a crucial role in keeping people informed and engaged
in the democratic process.
Speaker
Finneran’s Lyceum Series
State
Representative Christopher
G. Fallon
(D-Malden) is pleased to air
Speaker Finneran’s Lyceum Series on
Malden Access Television which premiered in December, 2001. The bi-monthly
program will feature a variety of speakers who have addressed the Massachusetts
Legislature since Representative Fallon took office in January of 1997.
These include historian Doris
Kearns Goodwin; David
McCullough,
author of two presidential biographies; and Holocaust Survivor Elie
Wiesel.
The speaker’s topics cover the challenges many government officials have
experienced in the history of our country.
“I
am truly delighted to be able to present this series to viewers in Malden.
There are great moments and poignant lessons to be learned from the caliber
of guests who have addressed the Massachusetts Legislature,” said Assistant
Majority Leader Chris Fallon.
The Speaker’s
Lyceum Series is shown on MATV Channel 16 every Thursday at 8 pm and Fridays
at 5pm.
Board
of Directors Profile
By Alan May, Board Member
As a recent appointee to the Board of Directors at
MATV, I feel fortunate and see it as an honor to serve and assist. I am
also gratified to represent the Immigrant Learning Center, where I have
had the privilege to teach in the Family Literacy, E.S.L. and citizenship
classes for the last five years. Our mission there has been to aid and
encourage parents of diverse backgrounds and countries to become an integral
part of our school and community. I have also had the opportunity to advocate
for these ideals as a columnist for the Malden Observer and as a
co-host on Malden This Week with MATV member/producer Jim Dello
Russo. I applaud the diverse array of programming and the dedication
of Jeff Hansell, the staff, and volunteers at MATV.
The Board at this time would like to welcome
four new members. First is Kevin J. Duffy, who was elected by the
membership at our Annual Meeting in September, 2001.Kevin is currently
serving as Chief of Staff for Assistant Majority Leader Christopher
G. Fallon and has since 1997.Kevin also helps manage the Cyber-Café
at Malden Square, a free computer and Internet resource center. He produces
and directs Rep. Fallon’s monthly show A Beacon Hill Perspective.
In addition, Kevin is the designer and webmaster ofwww.repfallon.org,
the Representative’s website. He enjoys sports and plays in football and
basketball leagues around the North Shore and is trying to convince his
wife to be a Red Sox fan. Kevin was recently elected treasurer of our Board.
Second is board-appointed member Suzanne
Tynemouth. Suzanne is currently a Media Specialist at the Salemwood
School in Malden. She has been active as talent and producer for two MATV
program series, The Storybox and Quak. Suzanne has also helped
out as a crew member for many of the station’s productions. At present,
she is an integral part of a joint venture with MATV to develop curriculum
and procedures for the digital video studio at the Salemwood School.
Third is board-appointed member John
A. Webster. John is an artist among other endeavors. He is a contributing
member of the Rockport Art Association and the Malden Guild of Artists.
His works have been shown throughout New England and have won numerous
awards. Honors include the City of Malden Leadership Council’s Citizen
of the Month in 1998, Award for Excellence for an Outstanding Contribution
to the Arts in Chelsea, and the George Washington Freedom Award in 1998.Currently,
John is the Veterans Services Commissioner for the City of Malden and also
works at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. John is a Maldonian
with a large extended family and will be a valued resource to the Board
and MATV.
Last, but by no means least is Linda
Huckins, elected to a membership seat in the recent Special Election.
Linda is a longtime Malden resident who has worked as a technical writer
for many high tech and financial companies. She has been a member of MATV
since 1991, where she produced and directed the ecumenical series Wellspring
of Faith. She has also volunteered as crew and producer for countless
MATV productions. Linda has taught English at Northeastern University and
is currently a substitute teacher for the Malden Public Schools. She has
been elected clerk and scribe for our Board of Directors.
At this opportunity I believe it is important
to acknowledge and express appreciation to our veteran board members: June
Morelli, President; Bill Thompson, Vice President; Frank
Molis and Cindy Fiducia for their vision and indefatigable effort
in the past. MATV has made great strides in its seemingly irreconcilable
goal to bridge the gaps between being informative, entertaining and reflecting
the community. The Board would like to continue to be influential in helping
MATV progress along this path and be a leader in its field. We wish all
a happier and healthy New Year.
Help
Wanted:
SITE
MANAGER FOR CYBER CAFÉ @ MALDEN SQUARE
Site Manager needed for informal, friendly
community technology center. Position requires exceptional interpersonal
skills that respect and welcome patrons of diverse backgrounds;
ability to provide basic instruction in accessing Internet,
using e-mail, various software applications, etc.; sufficient technical
skills to troubleshoot minor hard- and software problems; supervisory/management
skills to oversee staff/volunteers and day-to-day operations; and
administrative
skills to collect data, formulate reports, assist in program development,
and attend meetings as required.
Hours/Salary:Monday - Thursday, 3:00 -
8:00 pm.$12,000 per year + fringe benefits
Employer: Tri-City Community Action Program
(Tri-CAP).Position is funded under a U.S. Dept. of Education grant.
E-mail preferred.Send resumes/ cover letter
ONLY to: info@maldensquare.com.Full
listing at http://www.maldensquare.com/.
More
Kids, More Movies
MATV welcomes Sivia Malloy, a Boston
resident and former youth video instructor with Youth Voice Collaborative
who taught the fall session of MATV’s Saturday Morning Video Club.
The club, including middle-schoolers from Salemwood, Beebe, and Benjamin
Banneker Charter School, developed fresh movie plots that involved mysterious
backpacks and mistaken identities, videotaped (surprise!) in and around
Malden Square. The assistant teacher for the club was MATV member
and Teen, Inc. co-producer Dhara Manek. Says Sivia, ”The
class has been great. The young people that are involved have so much creativity
and zest for doing their projects. Though we are not searching for
the next big Hollywood blockbuster, I think this gives them a great opportunity
to get a feel for what it is like to really work in a team and find compromise
in a group. The final product will be worth millions in memories and effort.”
Club member Dan McCaffrey says,
“This class is very intelligent and we’re doing very well.” Anthony
Rothwell adds, “To produce a movie it takes time, patience, and team
work. I think every child needs an experience like this.” Nicole Anderson
notes, “Storyboarding takes a long time but it’s important.” And Emily
Chiavelli remarks, “It takes a really long time to make a really short
movie!” The class is being enjoyed by teachers and students alike. We look
forward to seeing their finished product on MATV Channel 15 this winter.
The Saturday Morning Kids Video Club is
continuing this winter. To enroll in the next session, contact Susan
Lawrence at MATV or at susan@matv.org.New
kids are welcome!