mata community media rules and procedures

Producer Rules & Procedures

This presentation gives a brief overview of MATA’s operating rules & procedures.

It is important that producers retain this information since it is critical to the

successful completion of their production.


About MATA

• MATA operates 2 TV channels. - Channel 96 Public Access - Channel 14 Scheduled by MCM

• MATA programming is on: - Time Warner channels 14 & 96 - AT& T U-verse channel 99 - MATA’s Website (matamedia.org)

• MATA is a 501c3 non-profit organization

• MATA is governed by a board of directors, not Time Warner or the City

• Programming on MATA is noncommercial

• Equipment & facilities can be used free of charge only for producing programs for the channel.


Membership

• Cost of an Individual Membership: - $60/year if a City of Milwaukee or North Shore resident - $80/year if a resident outside of Milwaukee or North Shore

• A membership is required to submit programs or use MATA’s equipment

• A membership is good for one year from the date of activation

• Youth memberships are available at reduced costs for anyone 12-17 years old, but an adult sponsor must also have a membership • Memberships for organizations are also available

• A membership includes; use of equipment, channel time and programming uploaded to MATA’s website.

• Proof of residency is required when taking out a membership


Programs & Content

Programs May Not:

1. Contain MATA’s office phone number without permission. 2. Contain material which solicits or promotes unlawful conduct. 3. Constitute or promote a lottery information or gaming enterprise. 4. Contain Adult or Potentially Offensive Programming before 10pm. 5. Contain libel, slander, invasion of privacy or obscene/indecent conduct. 6. Contain violation of trademark or copyright. 7. Contain political endorsements or advertising by, or on behalf of candidates for public office.


Programs & Content

Programs May Not:

8. Contain solicitation or appeal for funds or other things of value. 9. Contain contact information during the body of a program that’s locally produced using MATA’s equipment and facilities. Such contact information can only appear in the ending credits of the program and must be of a noncommercial nature. 10. Contain production company or business names on locally produced programs using MATA’s equipment and facilities. 11. Contain material designed to promote or advertise any product, business, or service.


Programs & Content

The producer has sole responsibility for the content of their programs. This includes obtaining all

approvals, clearances, licenses, etc. for programs.


Programs & Content

Program Requirements:

• Programs must be 60 minutes or less • The name of the producer MUST be listed in the credits or shown on the program. • The last 10 seconds of the program MUST show the following tag: - ”The preceding program was made by a volunteer producer using the equipment and facilities of MATA Community Media.” • Programs must meet the technical standards as listed on the public access playback request form. • Producers may not charge other producers for production assistance.


Infractions of the Rules

There are three types of infractions: 1. Minor Infraction

• First infraction results in a verbal warning • Second infraction results in a written warning • Third infraction results in a 60-day suspension of the membership

2. Major Infraction • First infraction results in a 90-day suspension of the membership • Second infraction results in a 6-month suspension • Third infraction results in a permanent suspension

3. Permanent Suspension • A permanent suspension of the MATA membership


Infractions of the Rules

If a producer is suspended, that producer can not have any contact with MATA. This includes entering

the facility, using the equipment or facilities, cablecast programs, duplication of programs,

and assisting other producers as crew.


General Rules

1. Producers are responsible for their own conduct as well as their guests 2. Producers & guests must be conducting MATA related business at MATA 3. Producers & guests must not interfere with other productions 4. Solicitation is not permitted at MATA 5. MATA’s name or logo can not be used without permission 6. No weapons are allowed on MATA property

See MATA’s Rules & Procedures for a full list of rules.


A variance is an authorized exemption to a rule. Variance are not automatically guaranteed and needs to be approved by MATA’s Operations Manager at least two days in advance. • Producers receive six variances per calendar year. No exceptions.

• A separate variance is required for each additional exemption.

• Variances are not transferable.

Variances


Common Reasons for using a variance • Keeping the equipment for a longer period of time

• Using portable equipment on site at MATA

• Having your program play sooner

Variances


Trainings

• Training is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment training is scheduled one-on-one with a staff member after the roster appointment.

• You must pay for the training at least one business day before the class.

• You must pass the class before you can check out equipment.

• Trainings feature both a hands-on and written test.

• To keep your certification active, you must use the equipment at least once a year, or attend a refresher class.

• If lacking proficiency, then the producer is required to retake the class.

• Main Studio training requires a minimum of four people for the class.


Trainings

1) Orientation

Introduction/Tour

Cost: Free

Length: 1 hour

Prerequisite: None

2) Producer’s

Review of MATA rules and

the role of the producer.

Cost: Incl. in membership

Length: 3 hours

Prerequisite: Orientation

3) Roster Appt

One-on-One Q & A about

PPO, Classes, etc.

Cost: Free

Length: about 20 minutes

Prerequisite: Producer’s

4) Equipment

Trainings

Portable Cameras

NLE Classes

Studio Classes

Prerequisite: Roster Appt.

Steps 1 – 3 Are Required Trainings for Every Producer

See Training Flowchart for more information.


PPOs & Pre-Production

• Pre-production is all the planning prior to the actual production such as; writing a script/outline, scouting for locations, getting permissions, coordinating crew and talent, creating a shot list, and other activities.

• A Project Planning Outline (PPO) needs to be filled out and submitted at least two business days before the first reservation.

• A PPO is required at the start of each new project/program and a producer is only allowed to work on one program at a time.

• Once a program is turned in, the producer can start their next program.


Equipment & Facilities

• Equipment is available to active & certified producers working on a PPO.

• MATA staff can not serve as crew or produce your program.

• Only the producer filling out the PPO can reserve the equipment.

• Producers must cancel their reservation at least one day in advance.

• You will receive a Late/No Show warning if you are more than 30-minutes late or don’t arrive for your reservation without notifying MATA.

• The producer is financially responsible for the equipment.

• Only the producer can check the equipment in or out of MATA.

• Anyone using MATA equipment MUST have an active membership and certified to use the equipment.


Equipment & Facilities

Procedure for Reserving Equipment 1. Submit a PPO at least 2 days before you want to make a reservation.

2. Call or stop in MATA during business hours to make a reservation with a staff member. You can not reserve equipment by email or voice mail. You must make the reservation with a staff member.

3. Arrive on time for your reservation. If you will be more than 30-minutes late, or unable to make your reservation, call MATA to change your appointment. Reservations are nontransferable.

Producers can only make one reservation at a time.


Portable Equipment

Rules • Portable equipment is intended for off-site use only

• Only one camera can be reserved at a time

• Producers are allowed up to four portable reservations per project

• Reservations MUST be made at least one business day in advance

• Equipment can be checked out for one day & returned the following day with an exception for weekend reservations Saturday – Monday • When you return equipment you are not allowed to check it out again the same day unless you fill out a variance


Portable Equipment

Procedure for Checking Equipment In/Out

• Equipment must be checked out or returned no later than 30-minutes before closing

• You will be required to set-up and test the equipment when you check it out and return it

• The producer will sign the Equipment Checkout Form, agreeing to take financial responsibility for the equipment and that it is in good working order


Nonlinear Editing Suites

Rules • Reservations for the edit suites must be made 1 hour in advance

• If you want to keep your project materials, you will need to purchase and store it on an external hard drive

• There is no eating or drinking in the edit suites

• Edit suites can only be used to edit an existing MATA project

MATA has two types of NLE suites 1. Cyberlink Power Director 10 on a Windows PC 2. Final Cut Pro X on a iMac


MPACT & Main Studios

• The Main Studio is 30’ x 40’ and has multiple cameras, lighting grid and a control room.

• The MPACT Studio is 16’ x 16’ and allows a producer to present a talk-show style show with minimum set-up.

• Both studios can go live and take live call-ins .

• It only requires one person to operate the MPACT studio and four people to operate the Main Studio.


MPACT & Main Studio

Rules • Reservations for the MPACT or Studio must be made 1 hour in advance

• Producers are only allowed one MPACT or Studio reservation per project

• There is no eating or drinking in the edit suites

• MPACT or Studio programs cannot have more than 50% of roll-ins

• MPACT or Studio cameras must remain in their space

• Personal sets & props cannot be stored at MATA without approval

• The MPACT can be reserved for 2 hours and the Main Studio for 4 hours


Cablecasting Your Program

Rules • A new PPO will not be approved until the current program is submitted

• Maximum length for a single program is 60 minutes

• A producer may only have a single program in playback at a time

• Programs will play in the block category it best matches

• Each program must feature new content

• Programs must meet MATA’s technical standards

• Programs play on Time Warner channel 96 and AT&T channel 99



Procedure for submitting a program • Complete a playback request form

• The program will be cued and evaluated

• There is 30-days lead time between submission and start of playbacks

• Once the program is scheduled then the producer is notified of times

• Unless notified otherwise, the program will be scheduled twice a week for one month

• There is a maximum of one primetime (6-10pm) playback per week


Live Programming

Rules • Live programs are either 28 or 58 minutes

• All live programs must also be recorded at time of cablecast

• A producer must complete 2 pre-recorded programs before going live

• The producer’s name and “made by a volunteer producer using the equipment and facilities of MATA” must be at the end of the program

• Live programs must cablecast during the appropriate program block

• Must arrive at least 15-minutes before a live MPACT studio time



Procedure for live programming • Submit a live request form with a PPO at least 30 days before the date you request to go live

• The producer will be notified of the live time at least 2 weeks in advance

• The earliest live time available is 30 minutes after MATA opens, and the live program must end at least 30 minutes before MATA closes

• The live time may be canceled if the producer is late or doesn’t have the required number of crew members for the main studio


Dubs of Your Program

Procedure for duplications • Submit a Dub Request Form and pay the fee listed

• The dub can be made once the program has been received and approved for cablecast

• Dubs cannot be used for any use, other than personal use, without authorization from MATA

• Allow 3 business days for dubs to be completed


This concludes the presentation of MATA’s operating rules & procedures.

It is the responsibility of producers to follow MATA’s policies, so please refer to the

complete set of rules provided by MATA.

mata community media rules and procedures

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