Don't Touch That Dial

Of all the programming we have on Channel 14, the Scholarship Telethon is by far my favorite. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching all of our producers as they create their own brand of information and entertainment. From the priceless reading show to the creative Media Studies Music Videos, they offer an enjoyable alternative to the other 500 channels. I am amazed at how our talk show hosts keep guests engaged and questions fresh. I even enjoy my two biggest aggravations (I say that with love Matt and Paul) as they find new ways to evoke laughter. Parades, concerts, meetings all have their charm. But the telethon……that is our biggest and most satisfying challenge.

The entire production is through the efforts of 4 groups that begin work months ahead of time. They are the fundraisers, the music department, the stage & lighting crew, and the television crew. While all 4 groups work hard to put on a great show, it is the amateur video crew that stands between the hosts, the great acts, and the viewers. It is basically 4 hours of non-stop action that is un-rehearsed and un-predictable. We do have a few key professionals on hand, but the bulk of camera work, graphics, stage direction and setup are done by our volunteers. These volunteers are mostly from the high school media class, but we also have friends, family and access board members who join the controlled madness. Just think of the movie “Broadcast News” with help from “Wayne’s World”. When the final credits roll, you can be sure this group will triumph again.

This year the challenge is even greater as we plan on switching to a “live remote” outside the high school for the Renovation Ground Breaking Ceremony. That will happen automatically by a controller located in the studio and separate from the auditorium or the remote ceremony. Cross your fingers. There are several ways to help this Sunday. 1. Come to the high school auditorium between 1 pm and 5pm on April 1st and join our studio audience. 2. Come and join the video crew, we have all kinds of jobs available; from camera cable holder (very important) to food fetcher (also important) we welcome your help. 3. Tune in to Channel 14, watch all four hours of entertainment from our local schools and call in with your donation to the Scholarship Fund, used to help the continuing education of our high school seniors. Of course you can join us that day and still donate; it is for a great cause. More details on the Telethon below. Also the stage crew needs help on Saturday to finish the set for the musical in tme for telethon. Call BIll Hintz at 255-8444


THIS WEEK ON CHANNEL 14

FOCUS ON OUR CHILDREN - 2 shows – “A conversation with Dr. Keith Marty” and “The Renovation and Construction Timeline”

VILLAGE VOICES - 3 shows – “Patio Players cast in Sound of Music”, “Teen Court” and “Main Street Redevelopment Update”

I REMEMBER MENOMONEE FALLS - new show – “Village Officials”

MORING STORY – “Sounds”

REEL MOVIE TALK – Show #7 “Where’s Hippo?”

2007 DIALING FOR SCHOLARS TELETHON – Sunday 1 pm – Hosted by our own Beth Harwood and WTMJ’s John Mecure.

And of course it is election time…several voters’ forums.

As always….Stay Tuned!

Here at the Cable Access studio, we have several new shows in the making, but just like Hollywood, they take time to develop. One of the most important parts of this process, is the brainstorming that goes into determining a format. How long, how many hosts, interviews, features, frequency, target audience, and tempo are just a few of the concerns. Although one person may have the original idea, it is the input from others that moves the projects along. What I'd like to do this week is solicit ideas from our viewers and readers. I am listing some of the shows that are being considered and what we may need help on. If you have suggestions or would like to help, please contact me at the studio 251-2866 or email at coordinator@fallscableaccess.com You may hold the key to one of these shows becoming a reality.

COOKING SHOW. Format is set, but we are missing crew right now. At least 1 camera operator and 1 editor.

LOCAL SPORTS. Producer and writers in place, may need a 2nd host or correspondant. Looking for a mix on how much local, state and national coverage. Magazine format or news? Outside the Lines or Fluff?

SPORTS TRIVIA SHOW - Game show or ?. Live call in? Prizes? Local trivia?

NATURE VIDEOS. The Bridges video has been very popular and now we are looking for someone to work with some photos and video of other resources (Lime Kiln Nature Center ) for one, and put them to music.

POLICE and FIRE PSA's - looking for ideas all around.

Meanwhile next week, look for new shows from FOCUS on OUR CHILDREN - "Chat with the superintendent" and "Capital Campaign update". VILLAGE VOICES highlights the Patio Players in one show and speaks with village staff and trustees about the Main Street Redevelopment plan in the other. REEL MOVIE TALK looks at several new releases, while 2 Voter Forums will dominate the airwaves. One from the PTA covering the school board and the second sponsored by the Community Chamber featuring the Village Board President race. These forums will only be seen on Channel 14.

Also we are still looking for help for the Scholarship Telethon on Sunday April 1st. This is an exciting live event and we have all kinds of rotating responsibilities available for all levels of experience, including "none".

As always...stay tuned!

Well it's that time of year again...or to be more precise, "Has it been two years already?". I'm talking about the Menomonee Falls Scholarship Foundation Telethon "Dialing for Scholars" which will air "LIVE" on Sunday April 1st at 1:00 pm.

In the Fall of 1998, Rick Rechlicz the President of the Scholarship Foundation came to me and asked, if it was possible to do a live broadcast of a telethon featuring students performing live and on tape, while hosts and a crew of phone volunteers raised funds for the foundation. I knew that we could technically wire the high school auditorium for a live broadcast out onto the system. I also knew that producing a show with an entire crew of amateur camera operators, staqe crew, sound personnel, technical directors and graphic artists would be impossible. So I said..."Sure!". To this day, I am still amazed at what this community pulled off on that Sunday in March 1999. You really need to sit behind the scenes of a live broadcast at a TV station to completely appreciate their accomplishment. And they raised almost $40,000 for graduating seniors of Menomonee Falls High School.

Since then there have been 4 telethons, usually in March every 2 years. They have become not only a great community fund raiser but also a showcase for the talent in our schools. All acts are now performed live, and the show has ended on time every year, (Not like the nationally televised awards show that usually go over by an hour).

The stage hands are now masters at changing sets, while the hosts and floor director keep thinks moving for the TV audience. Beth Harwood will be hosting her 5th telethon and will be joined by John Mercure from WTMJ-TV. In the past she has worked with Robb Edwards, and our own Dick Woosencraft to enlighten the crowd and get the phones ringing. On the technical end a few professionals have donated their time for audio and video delivery, but the camera operators and support staff still consists of high school students and access volunteers. This year will prove to be the best ever with a new format and some surprises for our viewers. By the way, if you don't have cable you have two options available to you to see the telethon. 1. Stop by the high school auditorium between 12 and 4 pm on April 1st and be a part of the studio audience or 2. Get Cable!

The school District has also planned the "Ground Breaking Ceremony" for the high school renovation on that Sunday. Superintendent Keith Marty asked if we could telecast the ceremony live for the telethon. I said..."Sure!". Well we haven't figured out the logistics on that one yet, but we have a month. We will have more information on the telethon in upcoming weeks.

THIS WEEK ON CHANNEL 14

FOCUS on Our CHILDREN has 2 new shows scheduled on the Power School and Older Adult Volunteer.

VILLAGE VOICES also has 2 shows planned with guest from patio Players, Village Hall, MF Fire Dept and our own 10 year old hero.

Also airing is a lost concert from last summer featuring Mr. Lucky Swing Syndicate and the Falls Boys Bsketball game vs Sussex.

As always...Stay Tuned.