Submitting Programs

Anyone who lives or works in Everett may request channel time, free of charge, to broadcast a program.   Producers and Access Users requesting airtime for a program must complete a Video Submission Form.

There are no restrictions on submitted stand-alone shows; ECTV will attempt to accommodate all programs as long as the program does not interfere with the normal program schedule and the normal operation of the facility.

Series programs are limited to 60 minutes in length.

Process for Submitting Tapes

• Individual programs submitted for broadcast must be accompanied by a Video Submission Form.

Anyone requesting a regular broadcast slot for a series must complete a Program Proposal Form and schedule the slot with the Director, or Programming Supervisor. When possible, the person submitting the programs must deliver two to four programs for the series by dates agreed on in the Program Proposal Form before that time slot becomes permanent. The Program Proposal Form is renewed annually. Forms must be submitted in full by the twentieth of the month in order for the program to be added to the following month’s schedule.  Each tape submitted must be labeled on the spine of the case with the producer's name, program title, series title (when applicable) and the exact length of the program.

Community Bulletin Board

• Anyone wishing to communicate with cable subscribers for non-commercial purposes may submit a brief message and graphic to be shown on the public access channel’s electronic bulletin board.
• Users must submit their messages two weeks in advance.
• A phone number for further information and the name of the sponsoring organization or individual must accompany all messages.
• Everett announcements take precedence over those from out of town.
• ECTV shows messages announcing events until the day after the event.
• Messages announcing ongoing services or activities show for six months, in the one-month on one month off format, from the time the message is submitted unless ECTV receives alternative instructions. 
• Email request to ectvaccess@gmailcom or fax it to 617.389.2006. Here is the Bulletin Board Request Form: Channel 3 Bulletin Board Request Form

Membership

To be a member at ECTV, simply attend one of our orientation sessions.

Use of Facilities

Studio & Control Room – Taped programs

• Access Users may reserve time in the studio and control room no more than 4 weeks in advance and no later than 5 business days in advance. Regular series Access Users may establish a regular studio reservation schedule with ECTV.
• Access Users may use the studio up to 4 times per program, per month.  With a maximum of 4 hours of studio use per month.
• All reservations must be received in writing either by mail, fax, email or in person.        
• FAX: 617-389-2006      Email: ectvaccess@gmail.com
• The producer of record must be present for all  studio sessions.
• Access Users must check in and out with the staff person on call when using the studio. After each studio use, the person who made the reservation must fill out a Studio Checkout Form and give it to the staff person on call.
• No access user may use office space or equipment without specific authorization by staff.
• All in studio production must include the ECTV standard disclaimer.  No show will air without this disclaimer placed at the beginning and end of each show.

ECTV staff is available for technical or production advice, suggestions, or assistance.  ECTV staff is not responsible and/or obligated to support or supervise any Access Users’ production.

Portable Equipment

• Access Users may reserve portable equipment no more than 4 weeks in advance and no later than 3 business days in advance.
• Portable equipment may be taken out for up to 72 hours at a time and for up to 6 non-consecutive periods, not to exceed 6 days, per finished program.
• The person who reserves equipment must pick it up and return it, unless ECTV staff approves alternate arrangements in advance.
• When signing out equipment, an ECTV staff member fills out and initials an Equipment Check-Out Form. Before taking the equipment, the borrower must verify that Equipment Check-Out Form lists all the items they are taking and contains everything the shoot will require. Access Users are encouraged to set up and test equipment before leaving the building.  Access Users must sign the Equipment Check-Out Form before leaving ECTV premises.
• Access Users must return equipment at the time written on the Equipment Checkout form. Access Users cannot borrow additional equipment until they have returned all items in good working order or have paid ECTV an assessment that ECTV may levy against the borrowers for equipment damages.

All Access Users and Producers are responsible for the equipment that is listed on the Equipment Check- Out form.  ECTV will ensure that all equipment is in working order.  A producer or Access User is responsible for all damage to, or theft of equipment, excluding normal wear and tear.   The producer must notify ECTV immediately upon any occurrence of damage, malfunction, or theft.

Editing

• ECTV uses Final Cut Pro editing software. Training is available.
• Reservations for the edit suite may be made on-site at any time if a staff person is available and able to write up the reservation.  If a staff person is unavailable, request for reservations must be made by fax or email.
• Access Users may reserve edit time no more than 4 weeks in advance. They may use up to 24 hours of edit time for any program. Access Users may reserve up to 2 hours of edit time per day, with a maximum of 6 hours per week per program.
• All reservations must be received in writing either by mail, fax, email or in person.         FAX: 617-389-2006      Email:  ectvaccess@gmail.com

Access Users must check in and out with the staff person on-call when using the edit suite.

Classes

ECTV offers video production classes on an ongoing basis, and are open to all eligible access users who live and/or work in Everett.   Classes are offered in sessions of six or more meetings over a period of several weeks, and individual classes are also offered on an ad hoc basis as needed.Class schedules are listed on the community bulletin board and are posted at ECTV. Individuals and Organizations wishing to take classes must arrange for them on a first-come, first-served basis.  Class sizes may be limited at the discretion of ECTV. Each course may have a prescribed fee to cover costs of materials, and a non-refundable deposit.  The deposit is refundable when the user successfully completes and obtains certification in the desired course. 

Class Schedule

You may call or email Tina Garniss for information or to register at 617.394.2418 or tina.garniss@ci.everett.ma.us

Orientation

All access users are required to attend an orientation session prior to any classes or production work.  Orientations are scheduled before each session of classes and at other times as needed.

Certification Requirements

Individual and Organizational Access Users must go through a certification process and be deemed “certified” by ECTV staff in order to use each type of equipment. (Access Users who have been inactive for a time may need to renew their certifications.)   Basic classes allow Access Users to assist on ECTV produced programs and to videotape events, while intermediate classes qualify users to produce their own programs.

• Studio Production Certification – work as a crewmember on studio productions.

Requirements: Attend and complete the Basic Studio Production class and volunteer on three ECTV produced programs.

• FieldProduction Certification -- to use basic camcorders, microphones, and otherportable accessories.

Requirements: Attend and complete the basic field production class and volunteer on three ECTV produced programs.

• Editing certification – to use the edit suite to edit programs.

Requirements– Field Production Certification, attend and complete the editing classes and produce an edited program to be shown on ECTV.

• Studio Director Certification -- to reserve the studio and direct studio productions: Requirements: Studio Production Certification, attend and complete the Studio Directing classes, and direct three studio productions.

Credit For Prior Experience

People with prior experience in television production may obtain certification by being evaluated by ECTV staff.  The evaluation process may include a written and/or hands-on test, and the submission of a demo tape may also be required.