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ARCHIVE ARTICLE 9
- Community TV Is Here To Help You
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Community access television is one of the best kept secrets in this industry. Here are a few reasons why community access television is a great place to start your TV career!
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YOU PAY FOR YOUR AIR TIME!
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Unlike commercial networks, who have a rather stringent selection and production charter, community television airtime can be purchased. With this in mind, you are able to approach friends, colleagues or sponsorsfor funding!
And the costs are minimal. An approximate 30 minute slot will cost between US$100 - $200. Often the channel will include free commercial space for you to advertise your show!
There are plenty of community TV channels where you don'thave to pay for your airtime at all!
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YOU ARE NOW WORKING IN THE BUSINESS
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You have to write, create, produce, edit, shoot, present, market and develop your product. The learning curve is steep but most community access channels have training programs you can utilise! Work experience placement is also readily available - no pay but plenty of practical experience can be gained!
The idea of producing and presenting your show is a reality with the help of community access TV.
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SOMEONE IS WATCHING!
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This is NO lie. Major network executives make it clear that community access television is monitored on a regular basis. There is no greater platform for showcasing developing on and off screen talent. Plenty of commercial TV talent has started in community access TV.
They were able to trial and test their ideas in a smaller, less cutthroat market before making the big time.
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LESS RISK!
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Due to the smaller audiences and more diverse viewership, community access is also the home of alternative themes, documentaries, ethnic and minority group broadcasting.
This carries with it the blessing of diversity and creativity.
Programmers of community television are more likely to take risks. Therefore, it is highly likely that your show idea will be accepted no matter how wacky, different or bizarre!
ARCHIVE ARTICLE 9
- Community TV Is Here To Help You
*********************************************************
Community access television is one of the best kept secrets in this industry. Here are a few reasons why community access television is a great place to start your TV career!
*********************************
YOU PAY FOR YOUR AIR TIME!
*********************************
Unlike commercial networks, who have a rather stringent selection and production charter, community television airtime can be purchased. With this in mind, you are able to approach friends, colleagues or sponsorsfor funding!
And the costs are minimal. An approximate 30 minute slot will cost between US$100 - $200. Often the channel will include free commercial space for you to advertise your show!
There are plenty of community TV channels where you don'thave to pay for your airtime at all!
***********************************
YOU ARE NOW WORKING IN THE BUSINESS
***********************************
You have to write, create, produce, edit, shoot, present, market and develop your product. The learning curve is steep but most community access channels have training programs you can utilise! Work experience placement is also readily available - no pay but plenty of practical experience can be gained!
The idea of producing and presenting your show is a reality with the help of community access TV.
*********************************
SOMEONE IS WATCHING!
*********************************
This is NO lie. Major network executives make it clear that community access television is monitored on a regular basis. There is no greater platform for showcasing developing on and off screen talent. Plenty of commercial TV talent has started in community access TV.
They were able to trial and test their ideas in a smaller, less cutthroat market before making the big time.
*********************************
LESS RISK!
*********************************
Due to the smaller audiences and more diverse viewership, community access is also the home of alternative themes, documentaries, ethnic and minority group broadcasting.
This carries with it the blessing of diversity and creativity.
Programmers of community television are more likely to take risks. Therefore, it is highly likely that your show idea will be accepted no matter how wacky, different or bizarre!
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JUST SHOOT IT!
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Production quality of most community TV is pretty average. I am sure some of you have watched community television and wondered how some of the content actually made it to air!
Programmers for community TV aren't idiots and they certainly don't programme trash but they are less likely to impose strict production rules.
But here lies the benefit! You are expected to strive for broadcasting excellence, but you are also there to learn.
Your show will not be perfect first time, but the quality and professionalism will improve with experience. Community Access TV gives you the opportunity to learn as you go!
You would NEVER get that opportunity on a free-to-air channel. Simply pick up a camera, create a story and get shooting! It doesn't take a genius to get a show on community access TV - but it takes equal determination and hard yakker!
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THINK ABOUT THE BENEFITS....
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How effective does the following scenario sound? You are a budding TV presenter who has not been able to make an impression in any major network. You have a good idea for a travel show - so you shoot it one weekend with a friend, edit it down into a 24 minute production and then pay $300 to have it screened on Community Access TV.
Instead of spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on advertising and marketing your showreel (together with postage costs), all you need to do is send a few emails or make some calls and announce your show will be screening this Friday on Foxtel Channel 183 at 7.30pm.
Again, a great platform for your creativity.
Just do a search for community TV in your area to find out about whats avaiable in your area. Here are the community channels that are available throughout Australia: -
Channel 31 in Melbournewww.channel31.org.auTelevision Sydneywww.tvs.org.auAurora (Foxtel)www.aurora.tvBriz31www.briz31.tvC31 Adelaidewww.c31.com.auAccess 31www.accesstvwa.com
More information on how you can fast-track your career in TV is available in the the How To Be A TV Star Home Study Program out now!
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