Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pegasus News content partner interview: Dallas iMedia

By Alex Bentley

Dallas iMedia is a non-traditional content partner for us, as they post infrequently. However, they made an invaluable contribution to the progress of Pegasus News by teaching a group of staffers the basics of videography, a skill which has come in handy twice this week alone. Unfortunately, recent budget cuts have threatened their ability to provide that service (and many others) to the public. Below is my interview with Lisa Hembry, President/CEO of the Dallas iMedia Network.

Pegasus News: How long has Dallas iMedia been around and what was its initial purpose?

Hembry: Dallas iMedia Network (formerly Dallas Community Television aka DCTV) was created to manage public access television in Dallas, providing television studios and video production equipment, training classes and cable channels for community-produced programming. The 501(c) 3 non-profit agency began serving the public in 1987. Dallas iMedia Network was created to, and still does, offer individuals and organizations the unique opportunity to produce their own local programs to share ideas, entertain and/or inform.

Public access as an art form was created by legislative mandate in 1972 to provide an alternative system of television as a response to citizen disenchantment with commercial broadcasting and in order to fulfill some of the social networking potential of cable television.

Pegasus News: Tell us a little about the type of programming that can be found through the Dallas iMedia Channels.

Hembry: Dallas iMedia is a community communications resource that reflects the rich ethnic, racial and social mix that comprises Dallas. Dallas iMedia celebrates and promotes freedom of expression everyday, providing the services, resources and a platform for citizens to speak on issues, to showcase cultural celebrations, to entertain or inspire, and to educate and inform. Dallas iMedia cable channels on Time Warner Cable are:

Channel 95 – Dallas iMedia Arts, Entertainment and Information; Channel 96 – Dallas iMedia Youth Channel; and Channel 99 – Dallas iMedia Interfaith; Verizon Fios carries Dallas iMedia Network programming on Channels 43, 44 and 45. All channels are streamed live on www.dallasimedia.net. We cablecast over 22,000 hours of programming annually and our web statistics indicates global viewership.

Various programs include:

Pegasus News: What other kinds of services does Dallas iMedia offer?

Hembry: For 19 years, the organization has placed great emphasis on youth media production and media literacy instruction. Each summer, iMedia presents week-long Summer Media Camps for youth ages 9 to 16. Camps are presented at iMedia’s production studio and neighborhood sites around the metroplex. Participants receive hands-on video production training using iMedia’s broadcast quality equipment, and each camp produces a program that is cablecast on iMedia channels.

Dallas iMedia also provides a full-range of turn-key production services for clients seeking quality promotional, informational or training videos, PSAs, music videos, television program production, event documentation or DVD duplication. Whether it’s studio production, single camera documentation, editing services, or event coverage with its remote production truck, iMedia production services provides high-quality content for use on iMedia channels or for other marketing or distribution. Editing suites, production studio, portable camera packages and production truck are also available for rental.

Pegasus News: What would surprise people the most to learn about Dallas iMedia?

Hembry: Most people would be surprised to know how inexpensively they can access Dallas iMedia Network membership, training and production services. Memberships start at $125 annually and classes start at $150, members may then use iMedia equipment and facilities at no cost to produce programming. Additionally, any person may have three minutes of free, on-camera time on “Dallas Speak Up” tapings held monthly in the iMedia studio.

Pegasus News: Dallas iMedia is funded by the city of Dallas – what are the funding issues that you’re dealing with right now?

Hembry: Dallas iMedia Network is partially funded by cable television subscriber fees received by the city of Dallas, private grants, contributions, memberships, media production services and other fee-based services. The city of Dallas, at this time, is under tremendous financial duress. According to preliminary budget documents, they may cease providing for local citizens to utilize this community asset.

On a recent iMedia program, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert asked the community to speak up about the importance of this communications resource. Therefore, we urge all persons that care about open media and free speech to attend city of Dallas budget townhall meetings, budget workshops and briefings to speak out about the need to continue public access television in Dallas.

Pegasus News: What do you see as the future of Dallas iMedia? How can people help to ensure Dallas iMedia survives?

Hembry: Dallas iMedia Network’s board leadership, staff and consultants have developed strategic initiatives that we believe will enable us to continue to serve the local community for many years to come. Increased fundraising efforts including participation in the recent “Dallas Giving Day,” grants for media training, collaborating with corporate and non-profit entities, and an annual blockbuster event such as the upcoming “DFW Slam Bang Theater Retro Weekend” in Dallas and Fort Worth, September 25-26, 2009 are just a few of the sustainability plans that we are implementing, in addition to garnering ongoing support from the city of Dallas.

Related stories

• Slam Bang Theater presents two (very!) nostalgic acts on Dallas iMedia Network (Sept. 1, 2009)

See more stories in:

• The Media > Broadcast Media
• Media > Television
• Politics and Government > City Government > Dallas

Comments

jtmbls Anonymous

Hey Alex - Can you make the town hall meeting link available like it was for the smoking ban debate and maybe let us know when this issue is on the agenda?

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Alex Bentley Staff

jtmbls, here's the information on the community budget forums. No deets on the town hall meetings yet, but will try to post when we get them.

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jtmbls Anonymous

You ROCK!

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )