WHAT IS PUBLIC ACCESS?
With public access television, Hopkinton residents can create television programs and have them cablecast on our community access channels. Public access is a logical extension of first amendment rights to the most widely used electronic medium of our day. The value of access programming lies not in its mass appeal, but in its opening of the television medium to divergent views and experimentation, and in its capacity to serve the community.
Public access grew from an awareness that television could and should be more than a spectator activity. In many cities across the country, citizens are producing programs that reflect the personality of their communities as no form of television has before.
It takes more than money and equipment to make access programming. You, the residents and volunteer producers, are what make this vital community resource work.
WHO CAN PUT PROGRAMS ON THE PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL?
Residents or non-profit organizations are welcome to provide programs for the access channel. HCAM-TV resources are available on a first-come, first-served, non-discriminatory basis.
WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMS CAN I MAKE FOR PUBLIC ACCESS?
There are a wide variety of programs that can appear on HCAM-TV. They include arts, music, cultural events, public affairs, governmental issues and meetings, public service announcements for non-profit groups, children's programs, religious and educational programs, documentaries, talk shows, etc. The list of possibilities is endless.
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE A TV PROGRAM?
No problem. The equipment available is designed to be as easy to operate as possible. We also provide free training in basic television production techniques, and offer ongoing technical assistance to producers as they develop ideas into finished productions.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE?
HCAM-TV has portable production capabilities (including single and multi-camera packages), a television studio, and an editing system. We have lighting equipment, sound equipment, and computer graphics capabilities. All of these are available at no charge to the access producer.
NO CHARGE? YOU MEAN IT'S ALL FREE?
Yes. The training, use of the equipment, facilities and channel time are all free.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
The first step for most access producers is to complete one or more workshops in the use of video production equipment. HCAM offers workshops in several areas, and will be happy to help you in registering for them.
WHAT ACCESS RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE IN HOPKINTON?
PUBLIC ACCESS - HCAM-TV (Comcast channel 8, Verizon channel 30)
- Provides first-come, first-served portable production units.
- Provides first-come, first-served television studio access.
- Provides first-come, first-served editing systems.
- Provides technical assistance to producers.
- Maintains the community bulletin board.
- Trains Crew Members on access equipment.
- Airs programming.
EDUCATIONAL ACCESS - HCAM-ED (Comcast channel 96, Verizon channel 31)
- Provides technical assistance and facilities to students and school staff.
- Maintains the educational bulletin board.
- Airs programming.
