www.austinpact.org http://www.austinpact.org Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:59:19 +0000 en hourly 1 What is public access t.v. http://www.austinpact.org/2012/03/05/what-is-public-access-t-v/ http://www.austinpact.org/2012/03/05/what-is-public-access-t-v/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.austinpact.org/?p=11 Public access t.v. is a hidden treasure. I grew up watching children’s programming on it, as a teenager I watched the crafting shows like painting, cooking and woodwork and now as an adult I find myself drawn to their programming all over again. I didn’t know that in addition to the children’s there are shows on crafting, cooking as well as shows on current news and vacationing.

In the past I spent hours watching old movies on television and now I find myself thinking, “Just one more show” as I peer into the living room while cleaning the kitchen or drag the laundry in front of the television instead of folding it in the bedroom. With such wonderful programming available I wonder how many people don’t know they are available for free to the community.

While there are a lot of great shows on public access t.v. it is unfortunate that because of the budget there tends to be an unfinished feel to a lot of the shows. While I enjoy their cooking shows I find myself gravitating more towards the ones available through the cable network. While they are a treasure it certainly is a diamond in the rough.

]]> http://www.austinpact.org/2012/03/05/what-is-public-access-t-v/feed/ 0 Public access t.v. then and now http://www.austinpact.org/2012/03/04/public-access-t-v-then-and-now/ http://www.austinpact.org/2012/03/04/public-access-t-v-then-and-now/#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.austinpact.org/?p=10 It was not too long ago that public access t.v. was the realm of odd programming and niche markets. Coming on late at night, the channels featured often times eccentric personalities, espousing an even more eccentric collection of ideas and lifestyles. Times have changed for public access t.v. though, and in many cases for the better. Today’s public access t.v. is higher quality, more focused, and used to much higher production values than the offerings of the past. This change has been driven in large part by the internet and other media accessibility revolutions that came along with it.

When public access t.v. first originated, there was no internet and many of the programs and services we use to create media today did not exist either. This meant that in order to put together even the most rudimentary show, the host had to have extensive technical knowledge and training. This limited both the kind of people attracted to public access t.v. as well as the kinds of topics explored. Nowadays it is easy for just about anyone to produce a high quality t.v. piece and so the bar has been rasied for everyone participating in the public access t.v. world.

]]> http://www.austinpact.org/2012/03/04/public-access-t-v-then-and-now/feed/ 0 Public access t.v. versus regular t.v. http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/29/public-access-t-v-versus-regular-t-v/ http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/29/public-access-t-v-versus-regular-t-v/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.austinpact.org/?p=9 Television has superseded what its original expectations were, because it is more than just for the News and entertainment purposes. Public access TV has a whole different approach on how they look at informing the world. Regular TV rules have changed to the point that advisories have to be in place to prevent children from watching inappropriate shows. Public access TV does not have that problem; they still regulate what programming is allowed. Where as regular TV has loosened the allowable content completely. Public access TV does not allow sex or cursing of any kind where as regular TV allows too much. Regular TV gives you more choices but at what cost to society. You must be very aware of what is on regular TV; it is not for all members of the household at all times. Regular TV has some standards its not totally unreasonable, they still have to answer to the Federal government. However, with public access TV you are safe knowing they still have the same purpose and standards they had from its conception. A great fact that should never be overlooked is that Public access has and still keeps you informed or teaches you something new with each show.

]]> http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/29/public-access-t-v-versus-regular-t-v/feed/ 0 What public access television can teach you http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/25/what-public-access-television-can-teach-you/ http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/25/what-public-access-television-can-teach-you/#comments Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.austinpact.org/?p=8 Public Access Television can teach you many things, if you are willing to take the time to watch it. From shows that help teach children starting at pre school ages, to learning how to paint, to history and even tutoring you can learn a lot from watching these little used stations. Where else can you get to watch symphonies or learn local history for free?

More and more schools are also turning to public access television to not only use as a teaching tool along with their school books, but also to produce shows that children can watch at home to reach even more students. Community colleges are known to do this as well, making it nice for some students who cannot attend classes.

For public access television, the possibilities are endless with what you can learn. You just need to tune in or ask around your community and find out what things are on. You could also work on setting up a program yourself, learn the world of production television and help enlighten your community. As long as people want to both teach and learn there will always be a place to turn to with public access television shows.

]]> http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/25/what-public-access-television-can-teach-you/feed/ 0 Why watch public access television anymore http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/22/why-watch-public-access-television-anymore/ http://www.austinpact.org/2012/02/22/why-watch-public-access-television-anymore/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.austinpact.org/?p=7 Television is like breathing to today’s culture. From scripted to unscripted, educational to entertaining, every hope,whim, and desire has been answered. Some may argue that public access television is no longer necessary amidst the variety the average home now has access to. The truth is, we now need public assess programming more than ever. With all of the global media we are bombarded with, local programming is what allows us to maintain a sense of community. Whether it is a talk show, variety show, or a simple forum for one to express themselves, the forum allows the viewer to have an intimate connection to their locale, as well as a better understanding of their “neighbors”. Public access also provides aspiring broadcasters and entertainers alike to develop their trade and assess whether or not they have what it takes to truly succeed. Self-expression at it core level is what people should focus on, not neatly polished packages the miss the honesty. Public access provides an outlet, to not only connect in a more concrete way, but to bring a platform of personal expression that is lost in cyberspace. We should be embracing this medium, instead of trying to root it out.

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