Final Reporting to

Shasta Regional Community Foundation

Grant Number: 20030025 $6,299.00
Grant Number: 20030168 $3,450.00

Hello World

Status of Project and Evaluation of the Objectives

MCTV 15 spent $9,860.06, $111.06 over the combined grant total. The money was used to purchase various video production and playback technology, specifically cameras to see, microphones to hear, mixers to blend pictures and sound, computer to edit, hard drives to store media, monitors to view, speakers to listen, headphones to monitor, tripods to hold, and transcorders to transcode. It's all listed for your amazement on the attached spreadsheet.

Even before our studio space in Weed was ready to be used much of the editing equipment was pressed into service. Over a dozen shows have been edited and aired with many more in the works. With the editing system we have mixed multiple camera recordings and added titles and music to some of our shows for the first time. We still have a lot to learn, but these are exciting first steps.

The investment in desperately needed video cameras, microphones and an audio mixer has resulted in an immediate improvement to the quality of our shows. Now the community can better hear our shows with improved on site audio capability. This has also allowed us better results when taking our twice monthly REAL TV show on location to various venues. So far, we have traveled around Siskiyou County on location to the Weed Museum, Great Northern Corporation, Siskiyou Opportunity Center, Senior Nutrition Project, Rural Elders, the Siskiyou Ice Rink, Mt. Shasta Gymnastics, and for the "Know Your City " Week in Mt. Shasta at various city operational sites. We have collaborated with the College of the Siskiyous COM-35 class by filming at COS with students directing and filming several shows. Probably the biggest benefit of this mobility is to now solicit businesses to sponsor our REAL TV and other shows at their location for a moderate fee. The business will benefit by exposure that falls short of direct advertising and helps build our account for much needed funding of operations.

Successes and Lessons Learned

We have been very successful in expanding awareness of public access television. For the most part, it is measured by personal experience, day to day comments those of us involved hear from community members, and feedback from our Northland Cable TV advisor who also receives customer input. As we demonstrated our ability to manage Mt. Shasta's access station, we approached the City of Weed and were successful in being awarded their access management authority. Volunteers currently schedule regular programming at both locations and work with each city's staff to improve Channel 15 communications.

One particular problem we had was obtaining insurance for the equipment as requested by the foundation. All carriers were reluctant to insure such a 'minor account'. After discussion with the Foundation, the Board waived this requirement. The equipment is insured through our office landlord, Radio Star Studios.

Additional Information

MCTV 15 was able to hire it's first paid employee late this fall. Limited funding was made available from the City of Weed and the City of Mt. Shasta to support the hiring of a part time operations manager. After a careful selection process through Personnel Preference, Rachael Hand was chosen for her experience with other non-profit organizations. She is now doing a great job as operations manager for MCTV 15.

We are on target with our business plan, and building one step at a time. We have more equipment needs, need to develop a broader volunteer base of folks interested in learning the many aspects of video production and are excited about the opportunities that are being created for community building in the south county. We hope to approach the City of Dunsmuir in the near future and add another client.

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Financial Detail

Attach:GrantEquipment.xls