Did you know that you could produce your own television program? Really!

You do not need hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment. You do not need corporate sponsors, wealthy financial backers, or even a rich uncle. You do not need to know how to write a script or write a news or feature story.You do, however, need to know how to write your name. All you need to do is take a few short, inexpensive training classes, complete some qualification projects and voila, you are a TV producer.

Olelo Community Television is a state-mandated public-access cable facility that was originally funded by Oceanic Cable. It has video cameras, editing equipment, training classes, and anything else needed to produce a program.

The purpose of Olelo is to provide a facility through which any person can take advantage of their First Amendment rights and deliver any message they feel is important for the general public. Olelo does not provide its equipment to just anyone who walks in off the street. In order to take advantage of the Olelo equipment and facilities, one must take the classes necessary to learn the equipment and produce a program.

Introduction/ Orientation Class
The first class is an Orientation and an Introduction to Television. The class is usually held at the end of the month at no charge. In the class, people learn about Olelo, its mission, some basic television theory, techniques, and terminology.

Producer Class
This class is necessary in order to produce a program and have it air on Olelo. The class teaches students how to develop an idea, complete necessary paperwork, and propose the project to Olelo. Producers are the only people who can propose a project to Olelo and reserve equipment and editing bays. Producers cannot operate any of the equipment unless having taken the appropriate training classes.

Field Tech /Mini Cam
In order to operate the video cameras, students must take the Field Tech class or the Mini Cam class. Both classes teach video techniques, terminology, and how to operate video cameras. The Field Tech class teaches the use of Sony DSR-300, while the Mini Cam class teaches the Sony PD-100.

Editing Classes
Olelo offers two types of editing equipment: linear and non-linear. The linear editor class teaches tape-to-tape editing. The non-linear editing class teaches computer video editing and is more advanced.

Certification
Certification is complete when the producer, field technician, and editor complete the proposed project. Anyone can take as many classes as they would like, but it is advisable to take only one class at a time and then take the other classes in subsequent months. The classes cost $55 each. After completing all classes, people can propose, produce, video, and edit their own television program. They can do everything themselves, or recruit help from Olelo volunteers. These volunteers, generally students in the various classes, provide free assistance, but producers are expected to provide food and drinks on longer projects. The only expenses to the producer would be the cost for blank videotapes, duct or gaffers tape, food and drinks, and special needs Olelo does not provide (such as transportation).

Keep in mind that Olelo only provides the equipment and facilities that allow you to produce your own program. Olelo staff members have a lot of experience and television expertise to assist you, but you will be putting on your own program. The program will be as good or as bad as you make it. However, if you would like video production experience, or if you want to feel the pride and satisfaction of creating and producing your own television program at minimal costs, Olelo is the place to do it.

Olelo comprises cable channels 52 – 56 on Oceanic Cable. It is located at 1122 Mapunapuna Street. For class or other information, call 834-0007x100.