Thanks to all who attended the producer’s meeting last Thursday and shared their ideas and energy. If you couldn’t make it, here are the highlights. Suzanne started with updates on CreaTV, including the announcement of our Grand Opening in late April at the Hotel DeAnza. Stay tuned for more details on this soiree! Justin showed off the new field cameras and announced that the editing suites and Studio B are finished and in use. We’re still on track to move playback to the Julian St. location, and start streaming Channel 15 and the new K-12 Channel 28. Suzanne took suggestions on what sort of advanced training people would like, as our basic classes are now rolling. (March classes will be posted this week!) Suzanne also did a little show and tell about the new forum and blog features of the website. Woohoo! (BTW, if you want these blogs sent directly to your email, you can sign up for an RSS feed by clicking the little orange square in the upper right corner of the blog page.) Next, Tricia Creason-Valencia facilitated a discussion about starting a Producer’s Network, where producers could host mixers, special events or training, and submit a formal report to our board on a regular basis. Interested? Contact Tricia: tricia@creatvsj.org. Finally Luis and Suzanne discussed the programming lottery, which has been a source of concern for some producers. Suzanne explained the research that’s been done in terms of what other stations of similar size do when it comes to allocating time slots. She announced that the “big” time slot lottery has been put on hold temporarily. Suzanne and Luis asked for input and suggestions as to how producers would like to see time slots allocated, keeping in mind that we need to give the channel a “fresh look,” so as to get some new eyeballs on 15. Our policies currently say that producers can keep their slots for a year, so it was suggested that perhaps a lottery happens in April, and timeslots change in July, giving producers three months to plug new airtimes on their shows. Another suggestion was that CreaTV designate a free “PSA Day” for producer who might want to tape a spot advertising their new airtime. Suzanne also mentioned that CreaTV San Jose has negotiated a trade agreement with the Mercury news that will allow us to have ads in the paper, plugging our programming line up and our services.….. Stay tuned!

 In my first official BLOG for CreaTV (another milestone for our organization...:), I'd like to welcome a few new producers to CreaTV San Jose. Heather Durham is bringing SVTAGS to Studio A, which stands for Silicon Valley Technology, Art, Green, Sustainabiliy. She's been working hard on her set, the open for her show, and recruiting sponsors. Go, Heather! Geraldine Conley will begin In the Midst in Studio B in March, where local independent filmmakers will be interviewed, and their work showcased. Geraldine has been taking advantage of our drop in Lab on Saturday mornings, practicing in Control Room B. Other familiar names and faces are branching out with their own series, including Shareef Allman (Reel 2 Reel), Gloria Baxter (Lighthouse of Hope) and Tanisha Kindred (Breakfast with Jesus). We wish you all the best!