Purpose Qualified Users Programming Guidelines

Producer's Responsibilities Production Facility Violation and Suspensions

PURPOSE - The purpose of public access television is to encourage the production of non-commercial programming by members of the community. The community will be empowered to submit qualified programming for cablecast on Time Warner Cable (TWC). These specific rules and policies and procedures must be read, acknowledged and followed.

Public Access is the term used to define the programming opportunities available to individuals and groups to present local issues, highlight entertainment, and discuss political/social interests and non-profit organizations to produce television programs in and about their community to be shown on Community Programming.
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QUALIFIED USERS - Only individuals, organizations, agencies or institutions residing or sponsored by individuals, or organizations operating within the Time Warner Cable service areas are eligible for cablecasting.

Applications to use the public access production facility or for submission of a pre-recorded program for cablecasting will be accepted only from individuals that are at least 18 years of age and older.

In order to become qualified for usage of equipment and facilities, potential Public Access users must successfully complete training workshops, attend at least three shows, turn in a program proposal and receive proposal approval.

Certified Producers
Persons having successfully completed a skills test can make facility reservations and will be fully responsible for it's safe and proper use. These persons are referred to as Certified Producers and are required to have enough basic operating knowledge to be able to train and supervise their crew.

Independent Producers
Defined as Producer who only request cablecast time. Independent Producers are required to review all policies and procedures, attended at least one workshop and sign off on our Producer's agreement. Facility reservations are not available to Independent Producers.
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PROGRAMMING GUIDELINES - It is the policy of TWC to not arbitrarily deny use of Public Access functions to anyone on the basis of philosophical points of view or subject matter. TWC will act to fulfill its responsibility to adhere to local, state and federal laws regarding, restricted or non-compliant program content and quality of program technical presentation.

The following types of programming are prohibited:
(see Cable Television Franchise Holders agreement VII B.1)

1. No program produced at the Public Programming Center will contain material which is subject to copyright, except where the applicant has proven compliance with applicable laws or had received permission from the holder or any individual who has power-of-attorney from the holder of said copyright. The producer guarantees and insures that all necessary copyrights have been given. It is the responsibility of the Producer to get all appropriate copyrights and not the responsibility of TWC or the Public Programming Center. This information will be kept on file at the TWC Community Programming Center. Failure to provide copyright information may result in the cancellation of all programming privileges and cablecasting of the program in question.
   
   
2. Program content must be free of advertising material designed to promote the use or sale of commercial products or services, including any aural or visual display or representation of a commercial business, store, product, service, trademark, service mark, trade name, logo or jingle.
   
   
3. Appeals for funds, by or on behalf of qualified candidates for public office and/or ballot initiatives and measures.
   
   
4. Solicitation or appeal for revenue or funds in any way.
   

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PRODUCER'S RESPONSIBILITIES - All certified community producers must follow the following community access policies.

Regular Shows: Each production team shall designate up to two producers-Producer and Associate Producer. Only one Producer per show will be allowed to schedule studio and or editing time. At the end of the scheduled session the Producer will be able to schedule another session (studio and editing). No more than two scheduled sessions for editing and two studio sessions will be allowed each month.

Show Specials: Producers that produce show specials (not regular shows), will be allowed to schedule two studio and editing sessions in advance. This is defined by Producers that require one studio and editing session every month or once every two months.

All Shows:

1. No single Public Access producer, institution, agency or organization may have more than one hour of Public Access channel space in any given week. Additional guidelines to ensure equitable time allocation may be imposed when necessary. Cablecasting hours is subject to change. Additionally, the schedule is designed at the discretion of Time Warner Community and is also subject to change. Scheduling shows will be conducted on a first come first serve basis.
   
   
2. TWC reserves the right to publicize and/or promote any Public Access program aired on its channels. However, TWC has no obligation to publicize or promote any or all Public Access programming.
   
   
3. In compliance with FCC regulations, TWC maintains a complete record of the names and addresses of all person, groups, organizations or other entities requesting production facilities and or cablecasting time. Any changes of addresses, names, and/or telephone numbers must be provided within thirty days of change.

Tapes:

1. Submitting or picking up tapes should be completed promptly. Tapes should be exchanged every four weeks from your last drop off. A total of six tapes will be in our tape library at all times. If tapes are not updated your show will drop from the cablecast list. Sixty days from that date, you will be permitted to resubmit for cablecasting.
   
   
2. Tapes must be hand delivered or delivered by mail to the Community Programming Center. If you are dropping off tapes, make sure you are aware of the posted office hours. We will not be responsible for any lost tapes.
   
   
3. Tapes are not accepted without the completed and signed application forms. These forms are available at the Community Programming Office.
   
   
4. When submitting your tapes on behalf of an organization, a representative from the organization and sponsor will need to sign all applications required for programming. Tapes are not returned by mail unless prepaid postage is available.
   
   
5. Tapes and tape cases must be correctly labeled. Labels are available at the Production Coordinators office. Tapes that are not labeled properly will not air.
   
   Labels will include the following:
   a) Series name and show number
   b) Producers name and complete mailing address
   c) Producers current phone number or an additional contact
   d) Exact total running time
   e) Indicate audio channels
   
   
6. All tapes submitted for broadcasting must be on a ¾" videotape (U-Matic or U-Matic SP). Your tape must be free from excessive drop outs, audio distortion, audio noise, extremely high or low video levels. Free from servo errors or broken control track. Video images, text and graphics must meet broadcast quality standards.
   
   
7. Total running time (trt) should NOT exceed 28:30 or 58:30 from fade-up to fade-out. All newly produced shows after November 1, 2002 must have:
   - 10 sec of black
   - 60 sec of color bars and tone at (1Khz)
   - 05 black,
   - 5/10 slate
   - 05 sec of countdown before the beginning of the show.
   - 30 sec of black must follow the closing of your program or black the rest of the tape.
   Note: Shows must be calibrated to bars and tone. Count down and slate assist in our manual playback process, as it eliminates potential errors.
   
   
8. The designated audio channel is two. If both channels are used please indicate this information on your labels.
   
   
9. Do not submit Master tapes. We will accept dubs only.
   
   
10. Access users are responsible for claiming their tape(s) after their tapes have aired. TWC will keep the tape on hold for thirty calendar days. After such time the tape will be recycled and become the property of TWC.
    
    
11. No cablecasted programs will rerun more than once in a six-month period.
    
    
12. All programs are subject to pre-emption, for special programming from time to time. If these changes occur, the CPC Coordinator will notify the Producer as soon as possible. The show will be given priority for another time slot during that pre-empt period. Producers do not have right or claim to any particular timeslot. See: indemnification clause.
    
    
13. TWC cannot be held responsible for the loss, destruction or damage to the program; the failure or refusal to cablecast the program; or for cablecasting at the scheduled time.
    
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PRODUCTION FACILITY

1. The producer, their guests and crew must arrive no earlier than fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled start of the production.
   
   

2. The producer, guests, crew and all props must be removed from the building prior to the end of the reserved time period. Producers should strike at least thirty minutes prior to the scheduled end of their shoot. All equipment should be returned as it was found. All cables need to be properly put away.

3. Inform staff of equipment malfunctions. No one is allowed behind the racks in the studio control room or the edit bay except for employees of TWC.

4. If the equipment has a malfunction that prohibits production, CPC will notify the Producer as soon as the malfunction is identified. The Producer will be able to reschedule his/her time if the malfunction can not be resolved in a timely manner.

5. Users are responsible for equipment damages. If equipment is returned with parts missing, the Producer or Associate Producer will not be allowed to schedule equipment until it is replaced or repaired. Be responsible for the crew knowing how to safely and properly operate the equipment to which they're assigned. Repairs may only be made by TWC employees.

6. Be responsible for keeping production areas free of food, smoke and beverages. Keep all items (including persons) from obstructing TWC stairways, doors and all exits. The outdoor pavilions are designated primarily for employee use. Please make room for any employees wishing to use these facilities. Water may be used on the set for consumption only by on-camera guests if served in a non-breakable container. Snacks in airtight containers and soft drinks in non-glass containers may be stowed (but not consumed) in the green room (out of the way of traffic) and must be consumed outdoors, outside of the blue studio doors. The producer is responsible for the immediate clean up of any waste associated with their production. This applies to areas indoors and outdoors. Use of chemical smoke or fog is not permitted in the studio.

7. Children under the age of fourteen may not operate or use Time Warner Cable equipment and are only allowed to remain on the premises if they are to be on-camera guests. Other persons (except adult supervisor's of children) who are not appearing on camera, or who are not crewmembers are not permitted due to safety and security considerations. For children appearing as on-camera guests, there should be no less than one adult per four children. Guests of all ages should not congregate in the parking areas at any time.

8. The Administration Lobby is off limits except for persons going to or from the restroom. Guests are not permitted to wait in this area

9. Crew and Guests vehicles must be parked in the uppermost parking lots (except those displaying handicapped placards or license plates). Vehicles that are parked in the spaces marked for customers or in the fire lane are subject to tow.

10. Inform the Community Programming Coordinator of cancellations twenty-four hours in advance. Failure to do so will be considered a violation of our policies. Arriving over fifteen minutes late may result in forfeiture of facility use, loss of privileges, or both.

11. No alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms or other weapons are permitted on the premises. Verbal abuse, threats (direct, indirect, jokingly, or implied), and sexual harassment will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate suspension of the individual in violation.

12. No animals are allowed on the premises except those, which are actually part of a taping, or animals, which are assisting visually impaired individuals. Animals, which could reasonably be considered dangerous.

13. Producers and submitters are responsible for checking on the status of changes in this manual by reading all notices posted on the official bulletin board in the green room or on the Internet. A dated copy of this manual will be posted on the bulletin board and a copy will be kept in the CPC office for viewing while on the premises. An addendum to this manual will be posted on the bulletin board on occasion and may replace previous outdated policies.

14. It's recommended that reservations be made in person immediately upon each use of the facility time. Facility reservation schedules are usually posted and viewable on the Internet.

15. Shows with sponsors that help cover the costs of blank videotape, catering, transportation expenses, and other production related expenses may be credited in a manner, that is consistent with PBS guidelines. There may not be commercial logos, slogans, telephone numbers or addresses allowed during these "credits", except those of recognized 501(c) 3 non-profit corporations (no places of business). The producer's personal phone number, address, web site and email address may be used.

16. Producers that have complaints or suggestions should fill out the comment forms located in the front of the Programming office. All complaints will be reviewed and handled within seven working days depending on the content of the complaint brought forth.

17. Producers must provide a greeter for guests expected to arrive during the course of a scheduled studio production. The greeter must supervise guests and insure they follow our policies.

18. Telephone use is prohibited unless you are given permission or in the case of a medical emergency. Long distance and toll calls are not allowed.

19. Enter the programming office, by request only.
    

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VIOLATION AND SUSPENSIONS

Applicants and users of the public access production facility must conduct themselves in a professional manner and adhere to all polices and procedures. In cases where any applicant or user has used the public access production facility and/or public access channel and has violated any of the policies and procedures, or has been negligent in the use of access equipment, such violations may cause users to be rejected or suspended.

A producer will receive a verbal warning, which will be noted in their file. A warning letter on second and third violations will be presented in writing. Action will be taken on the third violation.

A sixty-day suspension will be the result of a third violation in most cases. If a Producer or user needs to be escorted off the premises for extreme behavior, all privileges will be revoked indefinitely.

All suspended Producers will be reduced to the following rules:

• You will not (Producer and Associate Producer) us editing and studio time during your suspension.
  
• You will not be able to assist other productions as a crewmember.
• You (Producer and Associate Producer) will not schedule time until the completion of sixty days.
• You will only have the privilege to attend meetings concerning CPC functions.

Any Producer or Associate Producer belonging to a show that was suspended will not be able to schedule additional time to compensate for lost time concerning that show. Shows may be resubmitted for cablecasting. See Cable Television Franchise Holders agreement Sec. X under para. E.

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