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1. Introduction
2. Put PCTV on Your Gift List
3. Annual Open Meeting
4. PCTV Wishlist
5. An update on PCTV funding
6. Producer Spotlight
7. PCTV Hangs Out with the Pirates at PNC Park
8. SciTech a Great Success

1. Introduction
Season’s Greetings! As this year draws to a close and we prepare for a new one, I want to wish everyone in the PCTV family a safe and happy holiday. 2009 has been quite a year for PCTV and we’re looking forward to making 2010 even better. We have great plans in store and we look forward to unveiling those in the new year. If you haven’t done so already,please make your end of the year donation to PCTV. See below for details. Thanks again for all your support.

2. Put PCTV on Your Gift List
When thinking aboutyour end of the year giving, please consider PCTV.

PCTV performs a vital service in the City of Pittsburgh and we need your support to continue our efforts. Making a donation is as easy as visiting our home page atwww.pctv21.org.

You can also send a check to us at:
Pittsburgh Community Television
1300 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Thanks for your support!

3. Annual Open Meeting
January 22^nd, 6:30pm

Please join us for ourAnnual Open Meeting on January 22nd at PCTV.This is your chance to meet with the board and learn more about PCTV and where it’s headed. Refreshments will be provided.

4. PCTV Wishlist
PCTV has been growing in a number of ways in 2009, and a vital part of that is due to your overwhelming support! We will be experiencing more of this positive change in the upcoming year. One way in which we need to be building up a better, more efficient television station in 2010 is by updating our video production and office equipment. Our producers can testify to this. Right now,however,this crucial equipment is not covered by PCTV’s budget; therefore, we are asking for your help.

The PCTV staff has been putting together a station “wishlist.” If you have or know someone who has one of the items on our list and would be willing to donate it, let us know. We are willing to take equipment that is a couple of years old and in good working condition. All gifts in-kind will be tax-deductible. Please take a moment to scan our wishlist. Thank you!

Station Needs
-New flooring for the facility and studio
-Ceiling tiles & lighting
-Skilled painters and paint to paint the rest of the facility
-Software-web apps, office’s apps, editing apps, etc
-Van

Video Production Needs
-Apple G5 Dual Core Desktop Machines or newer
-Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo Laptops or newer
-Ram for MAC
-Apple mice & keyboards
-External FireWire hard drives
-15″ or better LCD Computer Monitors
-DVCam VTR’s (DSR 11, 25, 45)
-Pro-sumer DV/DVCam Camcorders(Sony PD 150, PD 170, VX2000, V2100. Canon XL1, XL2, etc.)
-Small folding risers (bleachers for audiences or large discussion groups)
-Good props that have flexible uses
-Chairs
-Set Designs
-Seamless cyc
-DVD recorders

Office Needs
-Computers (specifications: Windows XP OS (no Vista), 1.5 – 2 GHz processor speed or better, at least 1GB RAM with 4+ GB optimal)
-Ram for PC

If you have an item that you wish to donate, please contact Kurt Haverstock at 412-322-7570.


5. Where do We Go From Here?
An update on PCTV funding

Since we updated you in our last issue, some progress has been made in resolving the issue offunding for PCTV but at this pointthere is no definitive news to report.The Pittsburgh Cable CommunicationsAdvisory Committee (PCCAC) and theCity of Pittsburgh’s Department of InformationSystems (CIS) are continuing to work on a strategic plan that will determine what funding is available for public access. Wehave been actively participating in this process. Although their are no guarantees, we hope that the process will be concluded at the end of January. We hope to have some news for you then.

Please check our website at www.pctv21.org for periodic updates.

6. Producer Spotlight
Niles Smith

Each month with our e-newsletter we want to highlight one of our producers. This month’s producer isNiles Smith, producer of the program Pittsburgh Gospel Showcase.

Niles Smith graduated from California State College and went on to study at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After attending school, he became anintern at Pittsburgh Community TV. Niles was hired byWPXI after his internship was over and worked there as an editor for five years. He came back to PCTV as a community producer, and now he and his wife Stephanie are celebrating the 5 year anniversary of their PCTV showPittsburgh Gospel Showcase. The show is a team effort with Stephanie hosting the program and Niles working as the director, producer, and editor. In addition to Pittsburgh Gospel Showcase, Niles produces the showHood Spot.

You can watch the Pittsburgh Gospel Showcase at 9pm on Sundays and check out videos from theprogram onYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pgsproducer

7. PCTV Hangs Out with the Pirates at PNC Park

On Wednesday November 11, 2009, PCTV Executive Director John Patterson and Outreach Director Darlene Terry spent the evening atPNC Park. That night, thePittsburgh Pirates hosted theirMinority Business Advisory Board’s Professional Diversity Networking Reception. At this invitation only event, professionals from diverse backgrounds had the opportunity to connect with organizations, Pirate Players and celebrities. PCTV sharedresources with nonprofits, for-profits, and corporateguests in attendance.

Through the Community Development Department, the Pittsburgh Pirates seek to expand current and develop new community relationships with members of the minority communities and with others that share the same commitment to those communities.

We are looking forward to the next one. This event improves each time. According toChaz Kellem, Pirates Diversity Initiative Manager”We are very excited about the future with regards to our community initiatives, educational programs and events for the entire region. We look to make the event better for years to come”. Everyone had a great time networking while getting autographs from Pirates players in attendance.

8. SciTech a Great Success
Kids Learn about Science and PCTV

In early NovemberPCTV spent anexciting week at SciTech Days in the Carnegie Science Center. SciTech Days is a twice-yearly smorgasbord of hands on demonstrations, presentations and workshops led by corporate and professional leaders whose passion is science and technology. The special week long program links classroom learing with real-world applications, allowing students and visitors to explore industries and careers in robotics, technology and science.

PCTV’s exhibitgave students the opportunity to learn about public access TV production and careers in the field. Students also have the opportunity to get some hands on experience with professional electronic field production equipment.Long lines of students waited for their turn in front of the camera. With a microphone in their hand and fellow students operating the camera, each student took on the role of news reporter, scientist or medical researcherand told the story of their experience at SciTech Days. ”I’m glad my class came”, “Can’t wait to tell my parents that kids can produce their own TV show”, “How come this is not in our area?”, and”There is so much to see and touch at SciTech,” were just some of the things students said. On hand were some of PCTV’s volunteers to answer student questions and to assist them with PCTV’s exhibit.

“This was my third time helping out at SciTech,” saidChristie Rapsas, PCTV Outreach Assistant. “It’s so much fun teaching kids how to use our equipment, hearing what they have to say on the camera and seeing the excitement when we tell them that they too can have their own show. I look forward to SciTech throughout the year!”

Special thanks to our dedicated community producersBruce Avery,Amber Paige Berry,Karen Gainey, June King andRegina Ragin, who took time out of their busy days to volunteer.

All students and families should attend this worthwhile event, the only one of its kind in the United States. If you missed this one, thenext SciTech Days will beMarch 2010 and will showcase exhibits and career opportunities inGreen Technologies.

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Whether you are a PCTV producer, a viewer, or just someone interested in keeping community media alive and thriving, we thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

John Patterson
Executive Director

Pittsburgh Community Television

In an effort to raise funds for the station, we have just recently sent out an end-of-the-year letter to all of our potential donors. It also contains information about PCTV, our executive director’s contact information for questions, and a list of donation incentives. Your contribution is vital to the molding of PCTV into a first-rate media center! Please take a few moments to read our letter:

November 3, 2009

I am writing to you today because I know that PCTV is important to you. Whether you are a producer, a viewer, a performer, a local businessperson, a non-profit worker, or just someone who believes in local media, your life has been touched in some way by the vital local resource we call PCTV.

If you’ve been following the news lately, you know that PCTV is currently in a period of change. In August I was hired as the organization’s new Executive Director and in September the City of Pittsburgh approved a new cable franchise for Verizon. As 2009 comes to a close, we are poised to begin the process of envisioning a new and brighter future for PCTV and the community we serve.

As we take a big step into the future, I want to ask you to support the cause by making an end of the year contribution to PCTV. While PCTV has been grateful to have the financial support of the City through the cable franchise, these funds do not cover the full cost of what it takes to provide a first-class media center to the residents of Pittsburgh. As we look toward the future, your ongoing support is vital to keeping PCTV vibrant and healthy in 2010 and beyond.

Please take the time to send your contribution in today. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 412-322-7570 orjohn@pctv21.org. I look forward to working with you as we begin transforming PCTV into the world-class community media center that Pittsburgh needs and deserves.

Sincerely,

John H. Patterson
Executive Director

Becoming a financial supporter of PCTV has benefits! Choose the level that’s right for you.

Friend: Up to $99

• Acknowledgement as a PCTV donor in all publications and on the PCTV website.

Supporter: $100+

All of the benefits listed above, plus:

• PCTV T-shirt

Team PCTV: $250+

All of the benefits listed above plus:

• PCTV Polo Shirt

Ally: $500+

All of the benefits listed above plus:

• PCTV Duffel Bag

Advocate: $1,000+

All of the benefits listed above plus:

• Lunch with Executive Director John Patterson

Leader: $2,500+

All of the benefits listed above plus:

• Production of a public service announcement for the non-profit of your choice.

Benefactor: $3,000+

All of the benefits listed above, plus:

• Acknowledgement of your contribution on a donor plaque in the PCTV Lobby.

Patron: $5,000+

All of the benefits listed above, plus:

• Your contribution acknowledged on a new field camera purchased for community use.

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in a week–that 2010 is right around the corner? If you have received our last couple e-newsletters in your inbox, you know that PCTV has been through a lot of positive changes and is about to embark on new challenges and opportunities, including funding and hosting 2010’s ACM Conference.

There is a new film contest that will be held mostly through December hosted by Script to Screen (PCTV producer A. Paige Berry’s program) open to residents of Pennsylvania. The challenge is to make a 5-7 minute film about love, and you can find all the details here: http://www.scripttoscreen.tv/ (click on “Contest”). Entries will be accepted between December 1st and January 6th; the grand prize winner receives $500 and an interview on Script to Screen. This sounds like fun, and hopefully you’ll have a chance to take part! (Did I mention that there is no entry fee??)

We had this month’s Producer Prep workshop last week, so to all new producers: welcome to Pittsburgh Community Television! The next Orientation and Producer Prep workshops are December 4th and December 10th, respectively.

“Inside the Outside of G20, ” hosted by PCTV21 executive director John H. Patterson and long-time community producer Mark Brentley Sr., was a 2hr live call-in program which originally aired Sept 25, 2009, during the G20 Summit held in Pittsburgh, PA. It featured video clips and photographs submitted by members of the public, as well as featured eyewitness information directly from the people involved in the activities associated with the G20.

Edinboro University is hosting the “Great Commercial Contest”, which allows people to submit an original 30-second commercial about the college. The winner receives a wide-screen HD television and the winning commercial is aired during the Super Bowl on WSEE (CBS affliate in Erie); the runners-up get a Flip digital video camera. The only eligibility requirements are you 1.) have to be a U.S. citizen and 2.) have to be registered on YouTube (so if you’re not already, do it now! It’s free!!). The deadline to submit a commercial is November 30th. For all of the instructions, rules, and other information, visit: http://www.eupcontest.org/