Shock value. Sometimes you need to go for shock value. Here at
CMAP, our definition of shock value is considerably different than
FX’s, or TNT’s.
Shock value. Sometimes you need to go for shock value. Here at CMAP, our definition of shock value is considerably different than FX’s, or TNT’s. It is, we hope, just as effective for the Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista cable TV audiences, however.
Last week, my Media Production Specialist W. Clay shared with me his ideas for channel ID “spots” for the four channels. As usual, I was doing a few things at once; and as usual, I gave him the proverbial nod and agreed that the ideas were brilliant. At the tail end of his pitch, he muttered something about burning a TV set. Ahhh … that caught my attention.
“Yeah, Suzanne, I’m going to have one of our members smash an old TV set and set it on fire.” How many people have had a staff person walk into their office and pitch that? Usually it’s “I need a raise,” or “I need a vacation.” Not here. That’s why I love my job.
“Ah, Clay, why do you want to set a TV on fire??” I responded in an inquisitive manner. “I really liked the unfiltered coffee Channel ID you and Jan came up with. You know, the water running through the machine without a filter, and the caption: ‘Public Access – Unfiltered TV.’ What happened to that?” “It’s already old, Suzanne!” Clay responded. How old can it be! We’ve only been on the air two weeks, right??
“We’re going to run the TV smashing footage backwards, and run a caption over it that says, ‘Make your own TV,” Clay explained. Now I got. Brilliant. After I gave Clay the usual reminders about wearing safety glasses and checking with the Gavilan security department first, he was off and running with the idea.
I just saw the finished product, and it’s truly smashing(!) Keep your eyes on 20 to check it out. Many thanks to Gavilan student and trained sledgehammer operator Seth Love, as well as Gavilan’s Security Department for their support. OH – and thanks to the City of Hollister for the donation of the ol’ TV set. It worked like a charm!
A similarly brilliant (but less shocking:) Channel 20 ID was created with the help of some familiar faces around town. We wanted to incorporate our members and residents in creating a Channel ID explaining what public access is.
A cast of local personalities recite the following definition from the Cable Act of 1984: Public access channels are often the equivalent of the speaker’s soap box or the electronic parallel to the printed leaflet. They provide groups and individuals who generally have not had access to the electronic media with the opportunity to become sources of information in the electronic marketplace of ideas.
The stars of the spot come from all different walks of life. Jim Lacey kicks it off. Jim is an older (and wiser!) student here at Gavilan, who is also a jazz aficionado, veteran, and indie filmmaker.
Then we have Kym Hoffschidlt, who is not only a talented visual artist, but is also a teacher at Anzar High School and a CMAP Board Member. Third in the line-up is Kevin Bonilla, a return student here at Gavilan, who also happens to be an Emmy Award winning cameraman with 20 + years of broadcast experience.
Then we’ve got AJ, son of Gavilan Music Professor Art Junker and talented indie filmmaker in his own right. AJ is also a CMAP volunteer extraordinaire. Next is Bernadine, who works at The Dispatch and is another fantastic CMAP volunteer. We top off the ID with Gilroy’s City Manager Jay Baksa. Now that’s what I call must see TV!
These two spots will be airing over the next several weeks on Channel 20, in between our regular programs. Be sure to tune in and give us your feedback. I’d also encourage you to take advantage of these public access airwaves, as the spots suggest, and create your own channel ID, PSA, or TV show. Just don’t try the smashing TV one at home. PLEASE!
