Blogs

Class was a little frustrating this week.  We were teaching them about editing, but only six students came out of 12.  Only two students had their own audio, and the rest had audio on the equipment that was checked out by the missing students, argh.  So they wound up just editing other people’s sound.  I talked about destructive and non-destructive editing, and had them do one edit just taking out pauses, ums, and sound they didn’t think was interesting.  That first one was a destructive edit.  Then I had them do a second edit that was non-destructive, cutting and pasting out clips into new files, and arranging those in a multitrack.

My column for Gotham Gazette, "The Fight Over Broadcasting's 'White Space'" contains a recap of the debate over white spaces that has raged in New York for the past few months. It also offers a rundown of some of the key points in the FCC's 130-page decision and an explanation of what this could mean for our city.

If you would like to read the full text of the FCC's decision, you can download it here.

wow- so many weeks have gone by!

Just to recap some things we have been doing over the past few weeks:

Election Reflections- discussing, writing & recording

Vox Pops- these have been recorded.  I am learning Sountrack Pro and need to finish putting these together.  There doesn't seem to be time in class to get the editing done.

Obama Audio Letters-Once again- these have been recorded, it's just a matter of me finishing the editing.

Thanks No Thanks- - only 1 group actually recorded anything.   Many of the groups were playing around, or kids were busy distracting one another.  Erica had a talk with the class after this happened.

Having trouble finding an authorized DTV converter box dealer online? The Digital Expansion Initiative has customized a Google Search to help you avoid vendors that aren't certified or individual sellers that are posting used converter boxes. This search tool will only return results from authorized dealers who sell new boxes. Let us know how it works for you.

On Thursday, Novemember 20th at 9pm, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) will air "The Internet is Serious Business." People's Production House worked with CUP Teaching Artist Helki Frantzen and students from City-As-School to produce this investigation into the physical infrastructure that undergirds the Internet. Check it out in Manhattan on Channel 34.

Week 1-

+ initial impressions:  it's a great class- they all have something to contribute and I think they're gonna rock out

-  the studenst would get distracted and start talking at times.  I wasn't always sure if they were making deeper conenctions.

Week 2-

Students revised pieces today.  We asked for volunteers and I was surprised at how many students were willing to share and be critiqued (all girls).  They enjoyed using the equipment, but only 3 people had permission slips!!  I noticed a lack of focus at times but I thought that we mixed the class up pretty well.  One kid said this is the best class he has (today was his first day, he was just switched into the class).

Week 1-+ initial impressions:  it's a great class- they all have something to contribute and I think they're gonna rock out-  the students would get distracted and start talking at times.  I wasn't always sure if they were making deeper connections.Week 2-Students revised pieces today.  We asked for volunteers and I was surprised at how many students were willing to share and be critiqued (all girls).  They enjoyed using the equipment, but only 3 people had permission slips!!  I noticed a lack of focus at times but I thought that we mixed the class up pretty well.  One kid said this is the best class he has (today was his first day, he was just switched into the class).

City Council tries to halt new technology that could close the digital divide. Community advocates react.

Advocates for closing the digital divide condemned a City Council resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission to delay a decision concerning the unused part of the airwaves known as “white spaces.” The FCC has announced its intention to issue a ruling at a November 4 meeting.

The Indypendent newspaper asked me to write an article for their October 3 issue explaining the importance of white spaces. (Updated following the hearing.)

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New York - People's Production House and Common Cause/New York called on the New York State Public Service Commission yesterday to reject a “Network Review Plan” proposed by Verizon, barring significant changes to the plan.  Verizon’s review plan was submitted July 16, on the eve of the PSC's review of the Verizon cable franchise for New York City. It is intended to remedy the high proportion of Verizon's FiOS installations that do not comply with the National Electric Code or Verizon’s own Methods & Procedures.

Please join us at the debut screening of "The Internet is Serious Business," a video by People's Production House, CUP, and City-As-School.

The New York City Council has scheduled a hearing for September 29 on the unused TV channels known as "white spaces." If, like most low-income New Yorkers, you rely on your cellular phone more than a landline or a laptop or a desktop, than your whole communications future is at stake with this issue. If you hate your cell phone provider or you like the idea of sharing Internet connections, than this is for you.

PPH is participating at a conference on the DTV transition from 10am-1pm on Wednesday, September 17th. The conference is being held at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office building at 163 West 125th Street and is hosted by the Harlem Consumer Education Council, the Federal Communication Commission and National Telecommunication and Information Administration. PPH's Joshua Breitbart and representatives from each organization will be there to talk about the upcoming transition in February. There will also be free demonstrations on how to set up your Digital Television converter and an opportunity to pick up government coupons that can be used towards the purchase of a new DTV converter box.

Class went somewhat well, but had some challenges.  We started with them reviewing the letters they are writing to their city council person and the DOE.  Then we moved into digital editing – they were supposed to be editing their “What’s in a Name” interviews with their parents.  But some of them didn’t have sound, and some of them didn’t have functioning computers, and some of them had edited a bunch and were sort of bored, and some of them hadn’t edited at all before and were struggling!  It was a little crazy.  But they all mostly got into it, and some of the quiet ones got really into. 

Are you sick of big newspapers misrepresenting your organization?  Would you like to be the one to report on the issues and needs of your community?  Then sign up for the free CNPI fall Journalism training.

Learn to research, write, interview, and produce your own press.  For more information, email Abdulai.

Fall 2008 Training begins September 19 and runs for 12 weeks on Fridays and Saturdays.  Space is limited.  Please inquire since there may be additional trainings later in the year.  For members of a community organizing group.