Laconrik's Blog

The importance of connecting.

laconrik — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:59:19 +0000

In public television, each station that airs PBS programming, independently creates their programming schedule to appeal to their local market interests, while at the same time, airing the blockbusters that are so popular with public television audiences. That is the beauty of the local connection with your public television/PBS station. Yet, to make this work to it’s best possible outcome, the people that make the programming at each station benefit from discussions and sharing programming that has worked or new technologies that are on the horizon. A great way to do this is through regular but infrequent industry meetings. I have been fortunate to attend these meetings for many years and haveing done so, have been lucky to get to know so many of the hard working and kind-hearted people that work in public television very well. Here is a short clip of some of these people many of us know that work in this industry:

It shows that people get together, work hard and share a little of their hidden talent too.

Blog dedicated to PBS thriving.

laconrik — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:37:51 +0000

This blog is dedicated to PBS/Public Television stations and helping them thrive. As an individual who has worked in public television through many years, dedicating many volunteer and work hours to stations and independent producers around the country, I believe that public television has tremendous value to everyday regular people in our country and communities.

Recent events in the industry require us to take a firm look at this value and find ways to verbalize and visualize this for people. In almost every city there is a television station dedicated to bringing local viewers stories and events and opportunities for the young and the old without regard to the highest commercial dollar they will bring in. That is usually the public television station. From outreach to local productions to community activities to high profile programs for pre school through mid life and elder years, the public television station in your community has it all and offers that free of charge to it’s local viewers.

An in-depth look at our world, science, quality children’s programming, history, high quality performance and real life all in one place. Stories with a diverse perspective. So many points of view. That’s public television.

Keep it alive in your community. I hope it stays alive and thrives in mine.

PBS Programming is varied and thought provoking

laconrik — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 02:23:24 +0000

Today PBS and NPR are facing a threat of eliminated federal funding and I hope that the people in these decision making roles listen to the value that programming on PBS and NPR offers to every American. The programming is varied and thought provoking. It teaches our youngest to read and it brings collective memories alive for our oldest. It is a beacon for anyone interested in learning more about ideas and issues they may never see anywhere else. Topics and funding sources are diverse and viewpoints preserved from being affected by monetary gain. The value you get from watching a program on PBS today includes a fresh way of thinking, a new outlook, more in depth on something you already know, or a venture into something new and unknown. The geographical and independent nature of each station speaks directly to its community. I hope the decision makers look at their own lives to realize the value that PBS television has brought to their world and understand that is multiplied many times over by all American Citizens, especially those that can’t afford expensive television. They are speaking for all of us and not just an elite group that pays top dollar for advertising on mainstream media.

Creative Fundraising is a Must

laconrik — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:29:38 +0000

I often speak with producers who wonder how on earth they will be able to make some revenue from their finished meaningful high quality production or series, after having poured so much of their life and personal income and heart into its production. I have put much thought into this question after years of working in Station Relations.

Producers need to have a marketing and broadcast ready budget for the final steps to getting their program on air. The best way to make sure they can pay themselves and have the right resources throughout the process is to budget for it at the start and approach funding opportunities to cover these costs early on.

Yes, there are some ancillary ways to make revenue such as DVD sales, acquisition payments and maybe appearances. If the program is a phenomenal audience draw, then the producer can be successful with funding for future work. But to play it safe, it’s best to get creative in the beginning and state your case to interested potential funders about the meaning and importance of your production and get it funded early.

It is refreshing to work with producers that have this mindset and ask me early on what some of these costs might be. There is no golden mirror showing us which productions will be the most successful and end up in national spots on PBS with huge audiences. But if productions prepare themselves early on, they have a better shot at having it seen.

Through the Years

laconrik — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:30:58 +0000

So working in PBS programming and station relations and even on the technical and production side, has always been a rewarding experience. Even starting at KCTS in 1987 and realizing I had the job to answer phones, arrange travel, issue P.O. numbers, transcribe notes and make copies of Broadcasting Magazine, gave me opportunities to learn and grow in this field. As time has gone on I have found ways to stay involved and provide more in terms of quality programming and representation to producers who have the heart and ability to make quality productions but don’t know how to manage the maze to an airdate on PBS stations. In all cases I look to work for programs that will draw larger audience to PBS stations. Many times the production or issue is something I think station audiences don’t know about before and would really benefit from learning more on the subject. I believe in and enjoy watching the programming PBS offers and I enjoy my small role in making some of that happen nationally.

Recently I saved a lot of polaroid photographs from disentegrating by scanning them to files. They are from industry meetings with people and characters in PBS. The meetings provide station programming experts with relevant information on issues and trends in their business. And yes there’s a little bit of fun sometimes, too. Here’s a photo from Orlando I believe at the APT (American Public Television) a distributor to Public Television Stations conference in 1999, I think.

This was a time when I had just moved to Station Relations after having worked in programming for a number of years. To a person in this photo, the value of PBS comes through in their work and their accomplishments.

Costa Rica Experience tied to Station Relations

laconrik — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:46:51 +0000

Recently I was lucky to chaperone 15 8th graders on a trip to Costa Rica. What a positive and enriching experience. A lot like the programs I get to review and make a difference for on PBS schedules. It was an opportunity to experience another culture, make a difference environmentally and socially for myself and young minds starting their way in the world. I brought my own video camera along and captured some of the experience to share with others. The first segment is posted on the sunnywonder blog and the sunnywondermedia website. More will be posted as they come together. Here’s a photo of the group:

As I take what I gained from this experience into my daily life, I will also be learning and incorporating a lot of what I learn in Austin at the Public Television Programmers Association and PBS Annual Meeting this Sunday – Thursday. Programming and discussions at these meetings are invigorating and compelling and inspiring. I hope to share that on this blog through the week.

Getting Ready to Attend PBS Showcase Austin TX

laconrik — Sun, 09 May 2010 02:19:05 +0000

The PBS Showcase Annual Meeting draws dedicated and passionate people together to brainstorm the best ways to provide compelling and worthwhile programming to the American public. This year it happens in May in Austin, Texas. It is an invigorating experience. I have been attending this meeting since 1992 when I attended my first meeting in New Orleans. Besides learning the virtues of beignets and muffelletas, I was introduced to the world of programming and creativity that makes PBS the valuable local/national asset it is in communities nationwide. Station budgets have killed travel budgets for many of my colleagues but it seems there is a large attendance this year, maybe due to the merging of Development with the Showcase. This should provide opportunity for lots of great dialogue about strengthening the programming and opportunities for PBS stations nationwide.

Returning from Eco Teach in Costa Rica

laconrik — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:03:56 +0000

Having just returned from a 10 day environmental educational trip to Costa Rica, I feel fortunate to have videotaped a good percentage of the trip to share. In addition to station relations, my business professionally shoots and edits video compilations. I call it “Turning your passion into lasting moving Impressions”. The case in point is a trip that included rescuing an 8 foot leatherback turtle’s eggs as she laid them in the sand; sharing hospitality for 3 days with a busy young Costa Rican family and trekking across 3 river branches to learn about and share time with the indiginous Bri Bri Indian Namu Wokir tribe (where no photography was allowed).

The end result of this experience I hope will be a 1/2 hour edited program and a 90 minute compilation for the travellers as well as various highlights in various lengths to post on You Tube, Face Book Sunny Wonder Media Fan Page, Sunny Wonder Blog Site and Sunny Wonder Media Website. The experience is a life-changing, cultural sensitizing opportunity and the other 15 teenagers and 7 adult chaperones and I will keep it near in our hearts.

Station Relations is a Fascinating Job

laconrik — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:21:56 +0000

Many people don’t know about Station Relations. As it applies to my job, it means I screen many programs from PBS stations and independent producers and the three main distributors for PBS stations, American Public Television, National Educational Telecommunications Association and PBS. Then I decide if I can help the program be seen on PBS stations around the country. If it is a strong and compelling program, with high production values, that meets editorial guidelines and offers something to a station schedule that is new and different or a proven succes, I help the producer communicate it’s merits to the programming decision makers at stations. There are so many programs looking for airtime on PBS stations, that it helps if someone with experience knowing what has worked and hasn’t worked locally and nationally helps guide a producer’s efforts. It is fascinating because it allows me to see so many insights and ideas and viewpoints in so many programs. Today I am screening a beautifully produced science program with a motivating story of discovery. Tomorrow, who knows what it will be…

Continuing great programming for PBS

laconrik — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:04:30 +0000

As much as the fundraising question has not easily been answered for producers of programming for PBS stations, there is fortunately still a strong pipeline of programs for air. Last night’s airing of the ITVS/Independent Lens program on Pet Rescue at Hurricane Katrina was so well produced and meaningful. The last few weeks, Masterpiece Theater has shown the 3 part Emma dramatic production which was beautifully produced with amazing sets, costumes and acting. Every day there is something worth watching on local PBS stations for all ages and it looks like that will continue for a long time.