Hey everybody. As promised, “The Monitor” is here! From now on, we will be communicating bi-weekly through ICTV’s first ever Producer newsletter. In it, you’ll find important dates, information, tips and tricks for making your show better, and general updates from all of us.

“The Monitor” will be completed and emailed Mondays, and contributions will be due by the Friday beforehand. If you want to send something to be published in “The Monitor,” (an update about your show, a note about a crew member who’s gone above and beyond, or a note to everyone on the staff) please email me your article and I’ll make sure it gets in.

Today’s issue contains some very important information about making sure your show records, what you should do if your show encounters an error and can’t be broadcast, as well as some general status updates. Please read through this, and be sure to keep it for your future reference.

Redd

 

Eloise Greene
Manager of Television Operations

Congratulations - programs are looking good, and just as important, the production teams seem to be functioning enthusiastically. If you have a really good episode, make note for the possibility of student competition entries. These are listed on www.ithaca.edu/rhp under Student Competitions.

Speaking of websites, Newswatch has an ambitious presence at www.ithaca.edu/newswatch. It was created by Jared Weiner, and updated after each newscast.

To fill a 10:30pm opening in the schedule, I've imported an odd comedy series, Pretty Things, from four New York University students. We'll see if it's funny. If anyone recorded the Leno "Tonight" show that has Keith Hannon, Pete Lalayanis, and Steven Sprouse as the Dixie Chicks, please let me make a dub.

Keep up the good work,
Eloise

Alison Toole
Director of Technical Operations

It has come to my attention that a number of productions have been hindered due to “insufficient abilities” to hit play/record. I’ve been asked to address this situation, and so I’ll ask you to reflect on your time spent in the studios and how this keeps happening. I will ask that producer’s do/understand the following, before they tape:

1. Go over every single position you have on your cast/crew and make sure they are fully aware of their responsibilities. As a producer, you are to make sure the taping runs smoothly, but your director is also responsible for the crew first and foremost. They should be able to help you with this step, and you should make that clear to them.

2. Before you begin taping ask your student engineer or studio tech on duty if your record deck is routed correctly. If your deck is seeing black, you’re screwed (you’ll most likely be able to see what’s recording in “Monitor 6” or “Monitor 9”). Make sure you’re taping your studio! If you have no clue what “routing” means, they will, just make sure you ask them.

3. Recording is possible via your tape operator, or the record switch in the control rooms. When the director presses UP this record switch, a red light will appear, the “play” light will turn on your record deck, and you are recording. If not with this method, the tape operator should press BOTH the play and record buttons on the record deck, both these buttons will light up.

4. It is also recommended that you do a test recording with bars and tone to make sure everything is working properly. The deck should be set to “Audio Mix” on Channel 1/2 and 3/4, and your levels should be peaking no higher 12. When tone is being sent to your deck, zero it out. Again, ask your engineer on duty if you don’t know how to do this, but remember how it’s done for the next time you tape.

Good luck with your upcoming tapings. You may want to print out this letter, or leave it in your email account so you can refer to the checklist in the future. If anything should happen, find/call/email me… I’ll help.

Your friendly neighborhood technical director,
Alison Toole

Lisa Karchinski
Director of Programming & Scheduling

I want to address the current problem of shows not taping. It is rare but one or two of you have permission to tape and air on the same day. I have already found that to be a problem because of the shows not recording. As a result, we have nothing to air in that spot unless I am notified immediately. The same goes for the live shows.

I need to know if your show had technical difficulties and if you need more time that week to correct it, or if you want a rerun to air. All my information was given earlier and will be posted here on the website. Please get in contact with me as soon as you know that your show has a problem.

I hope everything in the future goes well you program, and please help me to make sure your show gets aired appropriately.

Lisa Karchinski

 

Redd

 

In the past few weeks there have been a number of people who have gone above and beyond what was expected of them, and I want to recognize their hard work. You may wish to remember their names, as they will probably continue to play an important role in ICTV in the future.

AMANDA COBB - YTYKS
Amanda did an outstanding job in getting sponsors and donations for “YTYKS,” and has done a great job in spreading the ICTV name down in the Commons.

BRIAN GARRITY & JEANNIENE SHIPMAN - The Screening Room
Brian and Jeanniene (with some help from Matt Weigle, and producer Cassie Cox) have revamped the set for TSR and done an absolutely amazing job. I encourage everybody to take a look at the TSR set when thinking about how to revamp your own.

JARED WEINER - NewsWatch 16
Jared is in charge of web development for NewsWatch, and has done an incredible job in designing an interactive site that provides both information about cast and crew, as well as news and story updates. As Eloise mentioned before, you can check it out at www.ithaca.edu/newswatch, and if you are interested in creating a site for your show, you might want to talk to Jared about possible designs or web help.

S. Redd Tannenbaum
Station Manager

Let me begin by saying that I think everybody’s been doing an outstanding job so far. The shows look great, the content has improved, and I really believe that you folks have been working very hard on your program.

With that said, not everything so far has been great. We have unfortunately had a number of programs not air because of simple technical mistakes. This can’t keep happening, and now that everyone has tips on the way to avoid doing that, I will expect all shows to record as scheduled.

Additionally, please make sure that your crews are respectful of the facilities. I haven’t yet received any formal complaints from Master, but I have noticed studios being left messy, camera cables not being coiled properly, and most importantly, people not respecting the Park School staff. While I understand that some people who work in Park aren’t always the friendliest folks and may sometimes give you a hard time, as representatives of this organization, you have a responsibility to not disrespect them. Also, as producers, you have a responsibility to make sure that your crew does the same. Remember, how your crew behaves is a reflection of how you lead them, so make sure the example you set is appropriate.

Well, enough of the bad stuff… more good stuff. I think the small meetings have been working really well, and I think we’ve seen almost everybody. I’m debating whether or not to make a permanent rotation, or keep it on a need-based schedule. However, I have received some questions on what should be brought to those meetings, so I will clarify that now.

1. 1- Updated crew list. If you don’t have an updated one, I will ask you to update your old list at the beginning of the meeting. This makes sure that all of our notes and information is current.
   
2. Scripts and outlines. If your show is using a formal script or outline, please bring copies for Eloise and me to keep on file. Again, this is for our records, as well as to judge your progress, and the direction your show is headed.
   
3. Assistant/Associate Producer. While only allowing you to be the official “Producer,” we understand if you are working closely with another person. If that can make the meeting and you would like them to attend, please feel free to invite them to come along.
   
4. Advertisements/Sponsor Agreements. Again, for our records, we would like to see what your plans our for the future and/or what you have been working on.

That’s about all I have for now. If you have any suggestions, or comments on anything, please email or call me, and I will do my best to help you out.

Have a great Spring Break, and keep up the hard work,
Redd

The scene shop has been a continuing "issue" for us, and I believe it will continue being such an issue until Park expands. However, since that won't happen for another who-knows-how-many years, our goal is to work on improving it, rather than unrealistically thinking that we can fix it. To do this, we are really depending on you producers to watch your crews as they take-out and put-away your set and props.

Carpet Holder. As I'm sure you've already noticed, I (with the help of Peter Busa) put up a carpet holder so that we can keep the carpets from crushing other set items. It is a pretty basic system using tight bungee cords and eye-hooks to suspend the carpets to the wall. PLEASE make sure that if your show uses a carpet, your crew returns them to the wall. Also, if you notice a production class (perhaps one that you're in, or happen to see in passing) is not using the carpet holder, please "remind" the students and/or the professor that we do have a place where the carpets should be and it is in everybody’s best interest for them to be put back.

Lockers. This past Sunday I was finally able to get into the scene shop and label all most all of the lockers. Producers, you are responsible for getting your own locks (make sure you get a tax exempt form from Eloise before you purchase anything) and as well as all the material inside. If your show didn’t get a locker and would like one, please send me an email letting me know what number locker you would like (if the locker has no lock and is empty, you can have it) and you can start storing your set items in there ASAP.

I plan on spending some time in there either right before or right after Spring Break, trying to put it into some semblance of order, but for right now the burden is on you. Always making sure that your crews keep the scene shop clean means you'll have less work to do when it comes to setting up and cleaning up your set. It also means that you will be less likely to find out that your set items have been broken or damaged. The Scene Shop’s upkeep is everybody’s responsibility and the more time you spend making sure that it is kept orderly, the better off we will all be.

Download
Acrobat Reader

Use the following downloads to help you plan studio times, or times to meet with other producers. Times where the studios are not booked can be reserved by anyone at the PPECS scheduling window.

"Spring 2003 - Studio Blocking Schedule"
Microsoft Word 2000 - .doc file

"Spring 2003 - Studio Blocking Schedule"
Adobe Acrobat - .pdg file

Use the following downloads to help you in contacting other members of the ICTV Producer and Executive Staff.

"Spring 2003 - Producer & Executive Staff Contacts"
Microsoft Word 2000 - .doc file

"Spring 2003 - Producer & Executive Staff Contacts"
Adobe Acrobat - .pdf file