OPEN THREAD: Local Media Evolves

0 Responses to OPEN THREAD: Local Media Evolves

1. meandering says:

   September 10, 2007 at 8:41 am

   KGEM? It’s kind of cute but since I dumped cable 7 years ago I have no idea what’s going on there anymore. When I did have cable I only rarely flipped it on as what was there was of little substance.

   What I would like to see is some free wheeling spirit take on the task of putting together news clips of the stuff going on in town and posting on the net, preferably on joost as it is a much higher quality than YouTube. So much goes on in town that isn’t picked up by the local media that we need to know about not just hear about.
2. Anonymous says:

   September 10, 2007 at 6:21 pm

   The KGEM of 2007 is not the KGEM of 2000. It’s awful weird to comment on how something was seven years ago as though it must be the same today.
3. aw says:

   September 11, 2007 at 12:38 am

   It’s a resource that’s available to people…and how it can be best utilized now and in the future is what has been on my mind.
4. Anonymous says:

   September 11, 2007 at 1:06 pm

   I admit that I do actually watch KGEM. It is definitely a valuable tool for staying connected. Maybe some more “tv” style shows, like reality type shows would be fun. And get to know more people in the community!
5. Jasen Lewis says:

   September 13, 2007 at 2:03 pm

   This is a great discussion topic.

   For many years the focus of KGEM-TV had been on programmers (local volunteer producers) as KGEM-TV was Monrovia’s Public Access Channel.

   In 2002, Community Media of the Foothills (the non-profit operator for KGEM-TV) made a conscious decision to move that focus to viewers and transform Ch 3/6 into Monrovia’s Educational Access Channel. As a side note, Monrovia’s Public Access channel still exists, as KMAC-TV on Ch 98/16.

   The idea of ‘free wheeling spirits taking on the task of putting together news clips’ etc. is exactly how KGEM-TV works. Most of the programming on the channel is created by local volunteers, they put in enormous hard work and effort to communicate about the topics that interest them. What’s really cool about this is KGEM-TV provides the cameras, editing equipment and training necessary to create that programming FREE.

   Some of these volunteers are already uploading their work onto the internet and we hope many more will follow. Some of the important parts of this transition include breaking programming into internet ‘chunks’ of under ten minutes, and developing programs that are more than simple talking heads programs. I always enjoy volunteers who get those cameras out into the community!

   Throughout the years I’ve received phone calls, emails and had conversations with people who have fantastic ideas for programming. Here’s the challenge: many of them expect that someone else will pick up the ball and run on their ideas. The reality is that YOU are the community and the programming that ends up on KGEM-TV is created by people just like YOU who take their own ball and run with it.

   Here’s a little secret: usually in the process they grab some friends and family to help out, because TV production is almost always a team effort!

   So, to the free wheeling spirits of Monrovia: give me a call and get involved!

   Get your programming on the internet and on TV. The future is here.

   Jasen Lewis
   Executive Director
   Community Media of the Foothills
   626-357-4974