Green Mountain Access Signs On-Air

by Amy Kolb Noyes

HYDE PARK - Green Mountain Access Television has signed on the air.
Cable subscribers in Morristown, Hyde Park and Johnson can find the new
public access station on channel 16. The preliminary program schedule is
limited to two programs, running at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. until 11:15 a.m., channel 16
will be broadcasting the 2004 Lamoille Union High School commencement
ceremony. On Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. until noon, the Green
Mountain Technology and Career Center graduation will air.
Andre de Saint Phalle runs GMATV. He noted the station's first live
broadcast was the LUHS graduation, on Saturday, June 19. He noted
volunteers ran three cameras for the shoot.
Currently, 1,588 households in Morristown, Hyde Park and Johnson receive
GMATV. De Saint Phalle noted there is the potential for 5,400
cable-viewing households in those three towns. While the station's logo
reads "GMATV 15," the public access station is currently being aired on
cable channel 16. De Saint Phalle said it will likely be at least a
couple of months before the station is switched to its permanent
location on channel 15.
GMATV is funded by a surcharge paid by cable subscribers on their
monthly bill. In March, GMATV got a check from Adelphia Cable for
$84,000 to be used for station start-up costs. To date, approximately
$64,000 has been spent on new equipment.
Around $15,000 was spent on renovating a space in the Green Mountain
Technology and Career Center to become a television station. De Saint
Phalle noted GMTCC students provided free labor for the studio
renovations. Much of the cost was for electrical work to accommodate the
station's state-of-the-art electronic equipment and professional studio
lighting.
De Saint Phalle was hired nearly a year ago to run the public access
station. He said their goal was originally to be on the air by last
Thanksgiving. That timetable was pushed back because the start-up check
from Adelphia did not arrive until March of this year.
Since March, things have been really rolling at GMATV. The 1,500 square
foot studio includes a 22' x 22' sound stage. There are three nonlinear
editing work stations. The studio is equipped with three in-studio
cameras and three cameras equipped to go out into the field.
The first camera loan was signed out last week to a Johnson State
College student working on a documentary on the Burklyn Ballet. The
first station volunteer came to work this week.
"We're here for anybody in the three towns to produce and air any type
of program they want." De Saint Phalle noted contributors don't even
need to know how to use a video camera.
Someone wishing to broadcast a program on GMATV must first become a
GMATV member and take a free, basic course. Those producing their own
programming must provide a "production plan" detailing their subject,
the program length and the date they expect the project to be completed
and ready to air. De Saint Phalle noted programming must be of interest
to the community. He said GMATV equipment is not intended for people to
use to make home movies or for-profit projects.
De Saint Phalle reiterated the studio is there to serve the community.
He said he hopes individuals, schools and local governments will utilize
it. He noted GMTCC already has plans to use the studio, and he hopes
other schools will take advantage of it as well. He added the GMATV
studio is "one of the nicest, biggest, most up-to-date facilities in the
state."
Now, de Saint Phalle's focus will be on programming the new station. He
said, "We want to be a trailblazer and really get programming." He said
locally-produced programs might highlight local talents, such as
musicians and athletes. When programs are not being aired, de Saint
Phalle said GMATV will post a message board, utilizing the Coming Events
from the News & Citizen and The Transcript, as well as events that are
sent in.
De Saint Phalle was excited to report GMATV has received preliminary
approval from Adelphia to up its funding from two percent to five
percent of subscribers' monthly cable bills. He said that translates to
an increase in GMATV's annual budget from about $18,000 to approximately
$40,000. De Saint Phalle said that budget increase would allow him, the
station's only paid employee, to be there full time.
For more information on GMATV log on to www.greenmountainaccess.tv or
call de Saint Phalle at 888-4447, extension 224