News

The City of Denver is currently in the final stages of negotiating with Comcast for a Franchise Agreement that will determine the next 10 years of Public Access TV in Denver, and its not looking good. 

As you know, DOM's three channels are currently in Standard-Definition, though the majority of Comcast Channels have moved to HD. The current state of the Franchise negotiations have a mechanism for only one DOM channel to move to HD in the next 10 years. While other cities have each channel mirrored in SD and HD, Denver's negotiators are accepting an offer that has just a single HD channel for Public Access (plus one for Government and another for Education). 

Your City representatives need to hear that all PEG channels should have a pathway toHD in the franchise. In ten years, Standard-Definition channels will be obsolete, and with no pathway to enable their transition to HD, we are essentially sacrificing those channels. Secondly, the negotiations have the PEG fee increasing by only 5%, a pace that is far below DOM's member growth, far below Comcast's annual bill increases, and even below inflation. DOM provides equipment to members through this PEG fee, and as the negotiations stand, we are not going to be able to keep-up with demand from members, meaning more outdated equipment and facilities. 

Please send a note to the At-Large City Council Member and the Mayor's Representative on the Franchise Negotiating Committee, who represent all residents of Denver. More information, including contact info for all 5 members of the negotiating committee can be found here.  Email these committee members to let them know DOM's channels need to be HD within 10 years: Deborah Ortega - At Large City Council Rep, deborah.ortega@denvergov.org, and Erin Mewhinney, erin.mewhinney@denvergov.org. 

We will be announcing the grant winner no later than April 20, stay tuned to see which deserving nonprofit will be selected to receive $15,000 worth of OMF service to help promote their organization to the community!

The Open Media Foundation is getting ready for some big events.  Currently, we are seeking individuals to help expand our outreach and fundraising capacity through our Development Internship openings. This position is for someone interested in learning all the aspects of marketing, networking, fundraising and outreach for a non-profit organization. Tasks will focus on building diversity into outreach efforts, which in turn will build a strong base of different types of supporters including members, students, donors, watchers, supporters and champions within the community.  Students interested in nonprofit fundraising, event planning, outreach and independent media are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please complete the online application, and be sure to upload your cover letter and resume within the form.

If selected for an interview, you will be asked to bring a writing sample & a copy of your resume. If you have questions, email: intern@openmediafoundation.org 

How did you become involved in multimedia work?    

I first became interested in film and video production at a young age. My grandmother had a laser disk of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. I must have been 6 or 7 years old. I remember the first time I watched it, it scared the crap out of me. Then my grandmother showed me the flip side of the disk and it contained the behind-the-scenes footage. I was amazed at the whole make-up process, the big cameras on set, and how much fun everyone was having. I thought to myself "that's awesome, I want to be apart of that". 

Tell us about why you decided to do an internship with Open Media Foundation? 

I become involved in Denver Open Media foundation through a friend who had been a intern at DOM. She told me to fill out an application and then introduced me to guy who was starting work on a documentary. I worked with him for about a month before hearing that I had been approved for an intern spot. I have continued to work on the documentary which should be done some time this fall.

What have you gotten out of your internship with OMF? 

Denver Open Media has been a great place for me to grow as a filmmaker. it has provided a place to exchange ideas with other filmmakers. I have learned a lot about parts of television production that I have previously not been familiar with. Areas such as the operations in the control room and in-studio procedures. Denver Open Media has help me to open up my creativity and my dedication to the craft of making films.

What are your career goals? 

Being a part of this great station will help me in the future by opening up doors for me to start my own production company and providing me a place to network and gain new cliental. 

Why do you think community media centers are important?

I believe that having a place like DOM is very important to our community. If theres not an outlet for the communities voice to be heard, then I think we lose out on oppertiunties to talk about important issues that will affect us. Without discussing the issues from both sides we miss out on coming up with a solution that will benefit both parties. Let your voice be heard. 

Colorado's House and Senate will begin their 2013 session on Wednesday January 9 at 10 AM, and the Colorado Channel will continue to provide a live broadcast of the floor in both chambers on Comcast Channel 165 in Denver and live-streaming on their website at www.coloradochannel.net. The Colorado Channel is managed by the Colorado Channel Authority Board, but the work needed to keep the cameras rolling can be credited to the OMF video team, and the website's design and video archive is the work of the OMF web team.  OMF supports community engagement through media, and we encourage everyone to tune in and learn about what legislators are discussing at the capital this year.

Watch this short video from the OMF staff wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.