PhillyCAM

Allison Clarke Field Experience in Youth Media and Media Literacy February 2, 2012 Reflection #2: PhillyCAM

__Part I__ PhillyCAM, short for Philadelphia Community Access Media is a non-profit organization created on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to run its neighborhood television network. PhillyCAM premiered on Comcast 66/966 and Verizon 29/30 on October 23, 2009 and has been making strides since then. PhillyCAM is recognized as a landmark to Philadelphia residents, because as a city these residents fought long and hard for 27 years to get its public access television.

Public Access Television refers to a system on cable television that allows people with the general access to both the equipment and necessary training to produce and broadcast live their own pieces, whether it be programs or announcements without having to pay for airtime. As a result of this opportunity, people from different communities, and many different walks of life are able to tell their stories and share their views and get the necessary information on how to do so without paying a dime.

PhillyCAM provides its users with access to learn the ins and outs of various media technologies such as the Internet, digital video, cable television and computers, to name a few. By giving the community access to these tools, those people can now better address and accommodate the diverse needs of today’s society. PhillyCAM gives all Philadelphians the opportunity to make and watch their own programs, learn programs such as Final Cut Pro and work on Digital Video Production, as well as taking media workshops and media labs. What ever you choose, PhillyCAM has tons of ways for the average citizen to get involved, and enjoy what they do!

__Part II__ After doing my research and browsing through the PhillyCAM website, I must say that this is a phenomenal organization to have growing in the city of Philadelphia throughout the years. I am impressed with the organizations ability to gain public access television, allowing everyone that walks through their doors the opportunity to produce, and broadcast their works on live television. By providing so many different services, from help with various programs, to teaching the tricks of the trade and beyond, PhillyCAM is indeed a well rounded program for any individual interested in media technologies, editing or production.

In fact, PhillyCAM actually reminds me of a program I did in high school at a Media Production House in SoHo, NYC called Downtown Community Television Center. Similarly, this organization brought in teenagers that were media tech savvy and interested in production and taught us how to film, how to create a successful piece and all the other components of creating a good piece. We had mini workshops with personnel, teaching us different techniques and types of film, then were thrown into the real world with only a camera and our imaginations to create great works, which we did. PhillyCAM is giving Philadelphia residents the opportunity to broaden their horizons and live artistically through film, just as DCTV did for me in the past.