It has been a very productive spring. We have continued to produce several MBTV shows including Talkin’ Maine, The Simple Gourmet, Once Upon ATime, Prescriptions for Health, Journey to Health and Fitness as well as several concerts in the community. I have really noticed a big difference with Donna covering a majority of the administrative duties along with managing the station’s daily working calendar. She schedules shoots and edit sessions and also contacts volunteers who have shows that have been produced in the past and encourages them to film more shows.
One of the biggest goals we accomplished this spring has been working with the Foster Tech Center’s video class. Earlier in the winter I met with the teacher, Chris Davis, and we planned to integrate his class and MBTV. We have accomplished this goal and are finally starting to work as a team. The first project that the class and MBTV collaborated on was working to bring the Literacy Volunteers back on the air with their show Once Upon A Time. Together we have produced three shows this spring. Each member of the class performs a different duty each time we film the show including directing, running camera and narrating the stories. This was a great first step toward building a relationship with the Foster Tech Center’s video class. Plans have already been put into place for getting next years’ students here on a regular basis.
For the second year in a row, I attended the MBMS occupational outlook day and have had very good feedback from the students through the volunteer coordinator, Mrs. Rodriguez. I was joined by one of the students from the Foster Tech Center. I did a PowerPoint presentation on what my responsibilities are as director of a community access station. I also took the opportunity to promote MBTV and the upcoming summer TV Training Workshop to the students and encouraged each one of them to come down and make a show.
Another goal that we are about to accomplish is hosting a summer TV Training Workshop for area 7th and 8th grade students. We have sent out take home flyers to the middle school as well as promoting at the occupational outlook day. We have at least four students signed up now and area awaiting one more which will fill the class. One of the participating students signed up after seeing the presentation and is very excited. I talked with the student’s mother and she is very happy that we are offering this workshop to give kids more options for career choices. The students will be producing a news program. They will go through the steps of scripting, camera and lighting, studio directing, audio and computer editing. I am glad that I am finally able to offer this type of workshop to students and know that there is an interest in learning about television production.
We have transitioned from last year’s UMF work study students to two new workers for the summer. This spring we saw off one student worker, Tiffany Montgomery, who has been with the station all four of her years here. Tiffany was a great worker and definitely left a mark here at MBTV. We have now seen two students who have worked here all four years. I get a kick out of looking back and seeing how they developed over the years. This summer’s workers have already begun to cover several events that we don’t normally get to cover such as school concerts at the middle and elementary level. They have and will continue to cover the selectmen’s meetings giving the regular volunteers a few well deserved months off this summer.
Various other events include filming an Easter musical by the Farmington Baptist Church. They sold many DVD copies for us. We also covered Memorial Day festivities, MBHS and UMF graduations, and MBHS lacrosse.
After an overwhelming start regarding sponsorships, we are finding the numbers are down, as of late – mostly because of the economy and people just not being able to spend anything more than what is a necessity. Donna has had a number of telephone calls expressing how much the station’s programming is appreciated by the public.
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