Film on Cable Television, Videotape Released
Diocesan Press Service. April 15, 1974 [74111]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The technologies of cable television and videotape recording can be used creatively by people to improve the quality of their lives.
A new film to be released May 1 demonstrates that fact by featuring the activities and feelings of people in one locale as an example for other groups across the country which are considering uses of the new cable and video media.
Financed jointly by the Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church, the 28-minute, 16mm color film entitled cable tv, Public Access & PEOPLE is the first such resource documenting the new concept of "public access."
Public access refers to the channels that are set aside by a community's cable company for use by the public, education and government rather than by commercial interests or the cable company itself.
According to the film's executive producer William R. Richards, the idea of public access is new, therefore it cannot be assumed that just because a channel is made available citizens will automatically make use of it. He also explains that if it is determined by the Federal Communications Commission that public access is not sufficiently used, the channels could be turned over to commercial interests.
Many church communications leaders have campaigned vigorously to assure that public access is adequately provided for in new cable television franchises as they are awarded. Their interest goes beyond advancing the cause of church programming into the issue of guaranteeing avenues of self-expression for everyone in a community. There are approximately 3,000 cable franchises in the nation with 315 awarded in 1973, mostly in medium and small communities.
Described by Richards as "motivational," the film employs no actors, but is a type of documentary involving people in the Orlando, Fla., area as they use videotape equipment and other public access facilities provided by Orange Cablevision Company.
More than 300 persons ranging from Brownie Scouts to Senior Citizens groups have been trained at Orlando's Public Access Workshop which was established under the guidance of the Alternate Media Center of the New York University School of Arts.
Producer-director of the film, J. Fred Rowles, said an attempt was made to transmit the " feeling" of the people involved in public access programming and to show that professionalism is not required and that the technological equipment does not have to be feared.
Public access on cable is not dependent upon commercial sponsorship and mass audiences, Mr. Richards explains, because cable is available to subscribers who have a large number of channels from which to choose. Thus, cable offers an alternative to "broad " - casting by providing "narrow " - casting -- that is, programming that appeals only to small segments of a community.
"The small audience appeal is a unique feature of cable," Mr. Richards emphasizes. "Cable has the potential of being an important ingredient in people's daily lives beyond a one-way delivery system which brings to the viewer someone else's ideas. Cable can provide for interaction of people. "
Cinematographer for the project was Joan Churchill, Los Angeles, Calif., whose latest credits include ABC's recent "Close-Up: Women in Prison" program. Sound director was Phil Arnold and editor was H.H. Highfill, Jr.
Rental for the film is $17.50 from Mass Media Ministries : 2116 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Md. 21218; 1720 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63103; and ROA's Films, 1696 North Astor Street, Milwaukee, Wis. 53202.
Sale price for the film is $395.00 with a $100.00 discount to church and community groups. Preview prints for purchase are available from United Methodist Communications, 1525 McGavock Street, Nashville, Tenn. 37203.
A guide accompanies the film providing questions to help a group assess its local situation, and suggestions for action.