After wandering around searching for a way into a clemency story, I’ve shifted gears. Instead, I want to do a story on public access TV here in town. Who on earth is watching a public access show at 5:20 am? I’m not too sure, but I know that the “Big Daddy G Show” is on during this time. Austin Film Society is who funds these shows, and they vary quite a bit. I’m hoping to speak to someone who currently hosts a show.
I also know that Matt Dillahunty hosts “The Atheist Experience” which is a show that’s mainly discussion with opportunities for people to call in. One of these people ended up being Dillahunty’s wife.
So…sources:
I’ll find out who runs the show at AFS
I’ll sift through a few other shows to see which one would be interesting to write about.
I’ll also get in touch with Matt Dillahunty and his wife to learn about their experience in meeting each other and eventually, ending up together.
boom.
December 1, 2016 at 11:08 am
Sarah, cool idea, but I’m not sure where to go from here. There’s potential, but I’m having a hard time picturing different avenues for you to take.
A feature profile on Matt Dillahunty and his wife, and how public access TV changed their lives? How does public access influence/save/help people? What are the challenges of public access TV? I’m not sure which medium you wanted to use, but I think video or audio would be best.
If you get to interview a host, that’s great, but who else would you be able to interview to shape the story? A person who calls in is questioned by the host, so I’m not sure what more you could get out of that person from reaching them yourself, or even how you would be able to get in contact with them. If you were planning on interviewing random people who may be watchers, do you have a plan on what type of questions to ask? The Austin Film Show connection would be another valuable source, but what specifically do you hope they will say?
And thanks for the comments on my story. I do need to tighten it up a little as far as jargon and clarity, and include the old pics, I have them, just not uploaded. I appreciate your specific examples.
December 1, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Could be a fun profile, Sarah. You need to define what public access TV is? It’s regulated. Who determines what the programing will be in Austin? Here is a bit about public access TV. Be sure you nail down who actually runs this and keeps track of budget (i.e. the cable television franchise fee revenue that supports it. And while you’re at, how much is that anyway?) JH
“In the United States, every community that is served by one or more cable TV companies has the right to collect a cable television franchise fee, based on the Cable Communications Act of 1984 Section 622, from those cable companies to fund a Public-access television cable TV channel.”