Guide to Using Your Local Public Access TV Channel

Check your local listings

Not every town has all three “PEG” outlets, but with over 3,000 community media centers across the country, chances are there’s one near you. Check your town’s Web site or contact your town hall. Another misconception: You do not necessarily have to live in the town to utilize their community access station. Most access centers are eager for new producers and new programs.

I recommend: The Alliance for Community Media  is a national, non-profit organization that promotes and supports public access TV.  They maintain an extensive database and links to local access centers.  Look for your town there.  NAMAC (National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture) is a similar organization with additional resources.

Get free training

Most community media access centers provide frequent producer orientations, equipment training and studio instruction. The focus is typically on getting you up and running in one or two sessions. Volunteers and producers are the life blood of public access, so you’ll find plenty of accommodating help.

I recommend: If you’d like to get a head start on your training, try a free, online course like the TV course offered by Cybercollege.com.  If you want to become a more serious TV producer, start with Videomaker magazine.

Go make TV

As long as you’re armed with an idea, you’re ready to produce a show. If you’re not quite ready for your close up, start by assisting with another show, or by being a guest on another’s producer’s program. There’s no shortage of opportunities in front or behind the camera, so just dive in.

I recommend: For more ideas and information, check out the Public Access TV Blog, which has some suggestions for getting started.  The Alliance for Community Media’s online bookstore also features books and videos for additional training or inspiration.

Fix it in post

You can produce your program “live to tape,” if you’re doing a talk show or just want to do your show “on the fly.” In most cases, you’re probably going to want to edit your tape. Post production is where you can make your program look more professional by editing mistakes, inserting graphics or adding music. Most home computers now include basic editing or movie-making software, and those starter programs are relatively easy to master.

I recommend: iMovie is ideal if you’re on a Mac; Windows Movie Maker is adequate if you’re on a PC platform.  When you’re ready for more professional editing, bump up to Final Cut Pro for the Mac or Adobe Premiere for the PC.

Promote and distribute

Once your show is complete, find out from your public access station when it’s going to air so you can promote your premiere! You may find that they run it several time per week. In addition to the local airing, you should definitely consider expanding your distribution. One way to extend your reach is to ask your channel to “bicycle,” or share your show with other access centers. A more direct approach is to upload your show to free video hosting sites such as the ones listed below.

I recommend: Most video sites restrict uploads by file size (100MB) or length.  Go beyond the obvious sites like YouTube and Google Video, and upload your video (or shorter clips) to Blip.tv and Veoh.com.  These are very-user friendly, free video hosting sites with lots of great features.