Q: My organization has an event coming up. How can I promote it on BNN and/or have it videotaped for cablecast on BNN?
A: Any Boston-based nonprofit organization or community institution can become a
Basic Organizational Member and use our
Community Message Board. BNN staff will create a one-screen, written message about the event and cablecast it at scheduled times and between programs throughout the day leading up to the event.
As an
Organizational Access Member, representatives from your organization can also receive training in our digital media production classes and use our production equipment and software to create your own program.
Another option is to have representatives of your organization appear as guests on our nightly news program on
Neighborhood Network News.
Finally, you can take advantage of BNN's
Community Service Productions and hire us to produce a program for your organization for a reasonable fee.
Q: How can my nonprofit organization create a TV program to reach its constituents?
A: As an
Organizational Access Member, your organization can create its own TV program using our
BNNLive Studio, which was created specifically for use by nonprofit organizations.
Representatives from your organization may also participate in BNN's digital field or studio production
training classes to learn to produce their own TV programs on behalf of the organization.
Q: How can my organization place a public service announcement on BNN?
A: As a
Basic Organizational Member you can have BNN produce a simple, 60-second PSA for just $200. Or, if your organization has a current PSA, BNN can cablecast it on our channels.
Q: Do I have to live in Boston to cablecast a program?
A: To cablecast a program, you must be a
BNN member — and to be a BNN member, you must be a Boston resident or a representative of a Boston-based nonprofit organization. If you do not live in Boston but want to cablecast a program on BNN, you may find a Boston resident who agrees to become a BNN member and be your program's sponsor. The sponsor takes all legal responsibility for the program's content.
Q: How will potential viewers know when my program will be cablecast?
A: The weekly program schedules for
News & Information Channel 9 and
Community Access Channel 23 are posted on BNN's website.
MediaMakers must submit information to us about their programs so that we can include them in the schedule. Program information may be sent electronically using the
Web Networking Request Form. BNN can also link to other websites to promote programs on our channels.
Q: Is there a charge for cablecasting?
A: No, there is no charge to cablecast a program, aside from your membership fee.
Q: Can I use BNN's video equipment if I have production experience but have never taken any classes at BNN?
A: Yes. You can take a certification test to confirm that you know how to operate the equipment you would like to use. After certification you will need to
become a MediaMaker in order to use the equipment.
Q: Can I use BNN's video equipment for projects that I do not intend for cablecast on BNN?
A: No. In order to use BNN's video equipment, you must create content intended for cablecast on BNN's channels.
Q: Once I
join BNN as an Access Member, can I use the computers at the Multimedia Lab for Internet access and other projects?
A: Yes, after taking two classes, "Introduction to BNN Rules" and "Introduction to Digital Media."
Q: How often are the basic production classes offered?
A: The digital field production workshop is offered every quarter, and the studio production workshop is offered in the fall, winter and spring. See BNN's
production training schedule for class listings. During the summer months BNN focuses on providing digital media production training for youth.
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