Q. What are the requirements for getting a program on the air?
A. Program Requirements
This section establishes the following requirements for programming on MCTV: · technical
· format
· length
· copyright
· graphic
· audio
· music
Colleges producing material for cablecast should follow these requirements carefully. For more information on these requirements, you may download the MCTV Operational Philosophies, Policies, adn Procedures Manual. If you have existing programming that already meets these requirements, please see "Getting an Existing Program on the Air". If you wish to have MCTV help you produce new programming, please see "Getting a New Program Produced and Aired".
Technical Requirements
The MCTV Advisory Committee and MCTV General Manager will give programming preference to those productions exhibiting the highest quality production standards and technical criteria as described in Level 1 and Level 2 sections below. Material meeting Level 3 criteria will be reviewed for suitability for cablecast, but preference will always be given to Level 1 and Level 2 productions.
Level 1) Program shot using multi-camera configuration (in-studio or Electronic Field Production) consisting of good quality audio and video signals, smooth camera movement, utilizing a tripod when necessary to obtain steady shots and excellent picture composition.
Level 2) Program shot/edited using single camera film style shooting (Electronic News Gathering) consisting of good quality audio and video signals, smooth camera movement and multiple camera angles, utilizing a tripod when necessary to obtain steady shots and excellent picture composition.
Level 3) Single camera production that utilizes a tripod with smooth camera movements, good picture composition and fair audio and video signals. Programs that meet any of the three criteria above will have general opening and/or closing credits added to them at no cost and the program will be scheduled for cablecast. These programs will then be aired per the schedule determined by the MCTV Station Manager.
Format Requirements
All programs submitted for cablecast must have been filmed in one of the following formats (in order of preference):
· DVCPro
· DVCam
· Beta SP
· DVD
· SVHS
Programs in any other format other than the formats listed above can not be cablecast. Program Length Requirements Programs should be in 30-minute increments (i.e., 30, 60 and 90-minute segments etc.) Programs shorter than the standard 30-minute length will have public service announcements and/or promotional pieces added to them to complete the 30-minute commitment. Programs that run longer than the 30-minute increment will be edited for time to fit the available slot.
Copyright Requirements
MCTV is not responsible for obtaining permission to use copyrighted materials. All programming must be submitted with the appropriate copyright releases. Any resulting litigation arising from use of non-released materials is the sole responsibility of the program producers.
Graphic Requirements
· Type and logos should be clean and readable.
· The design should be appropriate; it should support and compliment the story or concept
· All graphics must be first generation.
· Minimum line weight is 2 pixels on graphic or logo that utilizes fine lines.
· Brilliant colors that touch need to have either an outline or soft shadow.
· The brightest white to air will be 2% black.
· Graphics can contain 100% black.
Audio Requirements
Audio should be clear and easily understood. Audio shot using the internal microphone on a camcorder is generally of poor quality and will not be used. Audio should be in stereo and when possible should be recorded at 16 bit/44.1 kHz
or better. Limiters and/or compressors should be used to keep the audio levels stable and prevent distortion.
Music Requirements
Music should be within generally acceptable audio limits, and care should be taken that the music does not overpower the spoken word when both are used together. Music should be of professional-grade performance quality, recorded in stereo. Permission must be obtained to use music that is protected by copyright. MCTV is not responsible for obtaining the license to use any copyrighted materials, and will not be responsible for damages as a result of illegal use.
Q. How do I get an existing program on the air?
A. Getting an Existing Program on the Air
Colleges may have existing programming that they have produced through the course of the year. Examples of this might be concerts, sporting events, lectures, graduation, etc. Every effort will be made to air existing programming submitted to MCTV by an MCCCD source, however; the programming should fit the cablecast requirements listed in the section entitled Program Requirements. Requests for airing existing programming may be made by each college directly to MCTV by contacting:
MCTV
9000 E. Chaparral Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
480-423-6399
mctv@sccmail.maricopa.edu
Q. Can MCTV help my college produce an event or program?
A. Getting a New Program Produced and Aired
Yes! Where a college does not have the capability to produce new programming, it may be produced for cablecast on MCTV. To make a request for new programming, follow these instructions:
· Make a request for the videotaping of your event
by contacting your campus Public Relations Department.
· Your Public Relations Department will forward the request to MCTV for consideration. Please note that requests are handled on a first come, first served basis. Requests should be made not less than 30 days prior to an event, however, the earlier the better. Requests made less than 30 days prior to an event can not be considered.
· After being submitted, the proposal will be reviewed by MCTV, and, if possible, approved and scheduled for production.
· Following the initial approval of the production, a cost estimate will be drafted and presented to the submitting parties for approval.
Q. Will it cost anything to get my existing program on the air?
A. Existing Program Costs
If a college submits a program to MCTV that meets the cablecast requirements of the station, there will be no cost to air it. Where small changes need to be made (such as simple editing for length, or putting opening or closing credits on the program) these changes are also usually handled at no cost. For more complicated editing and other post-production services, a charge may need to be made. Cost estimates will be made on a case-by-case basis, and provided to the sponsoring college for approval before post-production work begins.
Q. What does it cost to produce a new program?
A. Types of Programs and Production Costs
The programming philosophy of MCTV can be summed up as "A School Day on the Air". In order to support this philosophy, MCTV will produce and air a wide variety of programs. However, from a production point of view, there are really only 4 general types of new programming that will be produced by MCTV. A short description and estimated costs for the following types are described below:
· Event (non-sports)
· Sporting Event
· In-Studio Shoot
· Location Shoot Events (non-sports) This is the type of program production service most often requested by campuses.
Events are captured "live" (i.e. as they happen) and put on tape. Examples of this type of programming include:
· Fine Arts performances
· Lectures
· Forums
Generally, these events are handled with a 3-camera crew, and the switching is done as the event happens. Because of this the post-production necessary is minimal, usually consisting of opening and closing credits. This type of event is produced by MCTV for the colleges at the lowest possible cost. This charge is made for the replacement costs for digital videotape, and the costs of transportation.
Be aware that costs will be quoted on an event-by-event basis, and unusual requests may result in higher costs.
Sporting Events
Because of their very nature, Sporting Events present increased challenges to television production crews, particularly if the event is held outdoors. For this reason,
please contact MCTV for Sporting Event costs.
Typical charges are for the replacement costs of digital videotape, the costs of transportation, and the additional pre-production time required by the event. If additional equipment must be rented for the event, these costs are charged to the sponsoring college. For ease of budget planning, cost estimates will be provided in advance of any proposed event.
In-Studio Shoot
These are controlled-environment events, fully scripted, with specialized set and lighting design. They may or may not be switched as they happen, and might require significant post-production editing and sound-design services. Events of this type might include:
· Promotional videos
· Telecourses
· Training or other informational videos Because of all of the variables associated with this type of event, their costs can be estimated on an event-by-event basis only. Contact MCTV for more information.
Location Shoot
This type of shoot is not held in a studio, but is fully scripted and may have specialized lighting and background requirements. These types of shoots might include:
· Production of interior or exterior shots of the college for various uses
· Promotional or informational videos where a non-studio environment is desired or necessary.
Again, due to the variables involved, the costs for these types of shoots can be estimated on an event-by-event basis only. Contact MCTV for more information.
Q. What kinds of programs are on MCTV?
A. MCTV Programming Content As indicated in sections 1.1-1.2 of the Service Level Agreement, MCTV is operated by the Maricopa Community College District for the purpose of educating, informing, and entertaining the public, and generally follows the programming philosophy of "A School Day on the Air". With this in mind, the programming seen on MCTV will include:
· Promotional material for MCCCD colleges and programs
· Informational programming, including telecourses
· MCCCD-sponsored arts, entertainment, and sporting events · Lectures, forums
· Community informational programming with an emphasis on cultural diversity, health and wellness
· Community/professional arts and entertainment events
· Government training and outreach services
Q. What kinds of programs can not be shown on MCTV?
A. MCTV Program Content Prohibitions In order to be broadcast on MCTV, programs can not contain either of the following:
· inherent or implied advertisement for a good or service
· material judged to be obscene per FCC Regulations For further information, please download the MCTV Service Level Agreement.
Q. How is the programming on MCTV scheduled?
A. MCTV Program Scheduling Programming on MCTV is scheduled by the Station Manager under the direction of the General Manager and the MCTV Advisory Committee. The schedule is produced 30 days in advance, and may be seen at the MCTV website www.maricopa.edu/mctv, or sent via electronic or paper mail. Every effort will be made to accommodate specific scheduling requests by sponsoring colleges if such requests are made at the time the production is taped. Generally, programming is repeated a maximum of four times in any 30-day period.
Q. How much programming does MCCCD produce?
A. Production Capacity of MCTV Currently, Maricopa-produced programming fills about 15 hour per week, occupying what is commonly known as the "Prime Time" hours (7:00-10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). The remaining time is filled with educational programming provided free-of-charge through various satellite services. As the production capacity of MCTV and the individual campuses increases, so will the number of local programming hours. It is the goal of MCTV to have a minimum of 60 hours of locally produced programming on the air.
Q. Does MCTV accept advertising?
A. Underwriting Advertising does not fund public educational television channels like MCTV. MCTV's major source of funding comes from MCCCD along with grants, major gifts and underwriting. Underwriting is an on-air acknowledgement of support. It is not a "commercial". Rather, it is a tax-deductible contribution to the licensee, in this case, Maricopa Community College District. Program underwriting is available to individuals, organizations, foundations, businesses and corporations who wish to be identified with an important community service. Local program underwriting is designed to provide on-air acknowledgement of contribution to the donor while adding an alternative source of funding for MCTV. For more information, please see "Underwriting Guidelines" Underwriting Guidelines Underwriting credits may air in any program, subject to availability. In addition to the donor's name, the acknowledgement may include:
· A non-promotional company graphic or logo; may or may not be accompanied by voiceover.
· A value-neutral description of a product line or service
· Trade names, product or service listings that aid in identifying the donor
· A reference to the time in business or service (i.e., since 1954)
· Location (specific or general)
· A telephone and/or website address
Program underwriting is offered on a "per-spot" basis. After the standard opening, the underwriter is allowed up to four lines of copy (55 spaces per line)
. The maximum running time of each spot is 15 seconds including the standard opening ("MCTV is supported locally by…")
Underwriting Prohibitions An MCTV donor acknowledgement may NOT:
· Compare or qualitatively analyze products or services
· Call to action to consume a product or service
· Induce to buy, sell, rent or trade
· Give pricing information, interest rates, etc.
· Use music bed or identifying audio signature Within these guidelines, there may be individual questions of judgment or interpretation. The MCTV Advisory Committee will address these questions on a case-by-case basis.
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