MTN is a unique creative community. We have multiple Access Producers creating an extremely varied batch of programming throughout the year. Studio productions, documentaries, variety shows, field productions, narratives, featuring individuals, events and organizations. Also lots of students learning and experimenting with the tools of media.
     There are not very many places where the type of daily interactions which take place at MTN can be found. Creative energies from many parts of the community flow together. This is public access. Access to a segment of the bandwidth. Electromagnetic and digital. A public sector. Community Media. Created out of the cable spectrum in exchange for the cable company's use of the public thoroughfares. A right to communicate - a privilege - an opportunity for unity. A place to practice mutual respect and support with the encouragement of staff and other producers. All of this comes along with a responsibility. A responsibility to produce programming - to reach an audience - to take care of the equipment, to sustain the resource for others. It is an amazing experiment - a model that has been working for nearly 14 yrs. now. Visitors from abroad wonder at the opportunity. If only they had something similar. And how would they go about getting it?

     MTN is a facility that has all sorts of people coming and going, interacting and producing their sometimes divergent media programs for cablecast. While we operate on the basis of equilibrium, equality, and cooperation, there are many times when it becomes apparent that not all access users are willing to take the few extra steps that allow for smoother production. In most schools, and certainly among post-production professionals, it is assumed that cleaning and normalizing the edit suite after you finish is part of the job. While MTN is neither of these situations, it would be nice if all or most of our users shared this ethic. Go ahead, flip the switches, be creative and do what you have to do to make your program; but when your session is over, please put it back the way it should be or ask for help. That way, the next user won't have to wonder why all the colors are off, the sound isnšt working or all their time code is disappearing.
     In addition, round-the-clock use of our studios demands extra care to keep it clean and in working order. We have velcro strips attached to most of our audio cables - they should be closed up after coiling - this will reduce the amount of time searching for the right length the next time you will be producing. Due to limited storage within our St. Anthony Main space we will be managing more closely any extra props and set pieces left from week to week. Studio Coordinator Art Roy has set an OCT. 15th deadline for approval of any storage props regular producers may want to keep on our premises. Talk with him for a "permit" before that time.      Thanks for keeping the system functioning - as we continue this grand experiment into the turning century. Below you will see photos of our new staff people. Welcome them - I think you'll find them to be high quality people...one fo the necessary attributes of employment here.

In this Issue: Page One: Playback Page Two: Playback - Cont'd. by John Akre Page Three: MTN Profile Page Four: Programming Notes Page Five: E-mail from Mark Page Six: Netscape: MTN Features / Benton Update Page Seven: MTN Appeciation Night
	Karrie Cable-Spratt Office Manager		Samson Tsehaye Checkout person