"BEST TV STATION" - City Pages "Best of 2000" Poll
By Pamela colby, MTN Executive Director
"City Pages" recently named MTN, "Best Television Station in the Twin Cities. I would like to add that MTN's commitment to the people of Minneapolis is unparalleled in the communications industry. From the exceptional programming created and produced by our independent producer members to the community events and informational programming that is produced by members and staff, MTN fills a niche in Minneapolis that cannot be reproduced by any other organization.
We hear talk a lot these days about the digital divide; mostly the talk refers to people who have access to technology and those who do not. There's another divide in the making - that's the one between democracy and technology. The increasing commercialization of the Internet, arguments over who should have access via cable and telephone company wires to high speed Internet bandwidth and long term strategic positioning by companies to corner as much advertising revenue as possible, all point in the same direction: commercialization with little, if any, public service or public space required. Democracy requires public spaces where we gather to interpret and argue about our condition, cultivate solidarity and engage one another.
Our Millenium goal for MTN is to increase both our visibility in the community as well as awareness - for cable viewers - of who we are. Our biggest challenge is keeping our aging and over used equipment functioning and available for the varied needs and high demands of our members. However, MTN will always be more about people than technology. Our programming is unique for its extraordinary mix of independent voices. The diversity of the content is what sets MTN apart from other television outlets. The dedication of MTN producers to share ideas and communicate with their neighbors is what makes MTN an essential forum for our city's future. We should be very proud of our collective accomplishments !
MTN Digs Digital Doohickeys ! By John Akre - MTN Instructor
We are living in a world going digital, and MTN is making its way into this brave new world of ones and zeros. MTN has added an Avio edit suite, the cousin of our popular Casablanca nonlinear suite, and three Canon ZR-10's. That's one of the smallest and fully featured of the small digital camcorders out there. In order to get access users going on this new equipment, we're changing our class structure.
The Beginning Video Production (BVP) workshop, our field camera and editing class, has been renamed BVP Analog (or BVP-A, for short). And in this new year, 2001, MTN is offering a new class, BVP Digital (BVP-D). BVP-D classes are scheduled right after the BVP-A class ends, so you can sign up for both and take them as one continuous class, or take them at different times. If you sign up for both at the same time, you get a discount. The new BVP-D class covers the Canon ZR-10 camera and the Casablanca and Avio edit suites. During this three-session class you will work in a group on a short project. The BVP-A class is required as a prerequisite. Each class taken individually costs $75, if you sign up for both together, the cost is $130.
The Canon ZR-10 is a mini Mini-DV camera. It uses the Mini-DV tape format, with digital tape quality in a tape as small as a matchbox, and the camera itself is not much bigger than a paperback book. And yet, in its small size, the camera has about everything you could ask for, from a flip out monitor, to manual white balance and exposure.
The Casablanca and Avio edit suites bring nonlinear video editing within the reach of anybody. Their simple storyboard interface, many transitions and effects, and titling capabilities will make your shows look flashy, but you won't need to spend a lot of time learning how to use them. Even if you're uncomfortable with computers you should be able to get great results quickly. BVP-D classes will run beginning in early February. Both evening and day classes will be offered. Check a class schedule, either a printed one or log on mtn.org
Page One: MTN Channels on the Move