There are several ways to create a program for air on LTV. The simplest is to simply use your own camcorder and to submit a DVD of your show that meets the LTV Programming Policy. As always, there is no charge for submitting your own program for air.

Many producers create their own program using the LTV facility. To do so, you need to be recognized as an LTV Producer by taking a producer's class, or volunteering as a "Producer's Track" trainee. After completing your training, you can then use the studios. Producers are expected to bring additional volunteers to work crew on each show. LTV will train your friends on the fly, however some advance training can generate better results. Other than some basic paperwork and your studio rental fee, you'll be on your way to producing a show.

The final method is for those who want to spread their message on Public Access, but may desire to have a more professional production, or do not have the time to seek out volunteers. LTV offers full production services for those producers who can supply a full compliment of underwriters. These producers must still complete the producers course or "Producer's Track" training.

As a public access television station, LTV must adhere to strict guidelines regarding promotion of products or services.

• Non-profit organizations are exempt in most cases from the restrictions below for promoting benefits or fundraisers.
• Individuals may talk about artwork including but not limited to music, painting, writing, sculpting, etc.
• Calls to action are not permitted under any circumstances. Examples of statements include:
  • You can buy this at
  • This is available at stores for $X.XX
  • I sell this
  • This is available for purchase
  • Limited-time offer
• If a website is listed or discussed during a program, it may only contain information about the person on the show, and may not push or present a product for sale.

If you have photographs that you would like to show during a taping, you have two options.

• The best option is to send the pictures in advance of the show so that they can be included graphically through our equipment. Television is a natively low-resolution format - which means photographs should be 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high at 72dpi. You should crop the images and send them in that exact size for best results. If you are familar with graphic design, and would like to ensure that images display properly, you should process them through Photoshop or a similar program to be 720x480 at 72dpi with rectangular pixels.
• If digital versions of your photographs are not available, you may bring printed photographs with you. The larger the pictures, the better as the camera will need to zoom in on them. Talk with any staff member working on your production to ensure that the photographs can be shown when you are taping.

Dressing for television is much different than dressing for everyday life. You need to consider many different things when choosing your clothing. Here are some tips.

• Make sure that your clothing will give you a place to attach a microphone. Every person on a television set will wear a small clip-on microphone known as a Lavalier. In optimal conditions, this microphone will be "fished" up your clothing between your skin and the outer garment. Ideally, you will want a place to clip the microphone, so aim to wear a garment with a collar or lapel. Avoid clothing such as turtlenecks.
• Choose a color that complements your skin, and is friendly to the camera. For ladies, consider jewel tones and pastels. Cameras are not as good at distinguishing varying colors as the human eye. Black can often disappear, or lose detail, so it should be avoided. White can appear too bright, and cause the iris on the camera to close making the overall image dark. Talent with dark skin should avoid white or very light colors. Care should also be taken to avoid patterns with very fine lines or with high contrast - such as black & white herringbones, or fine stripes.

As always when presenting yourself to the public, you want to make sure that you put your best foot forward. Though makeup is not required and not necessary, it is recommended for both men and women. Remember, that studio lights are bright, and often will accentuate any wrinkles or discolorations of the skin. If at all possible, apply foundation to your all skin on your face and neck. A photo-finish powder is also recommended to create a seamless look.

Airing shows is always free, and you might be surprised to learn how inexpensive it can be to produce your own television show. You have two options for doing so. First, you may produce your own show with just a camcorder. Shows are only required to have basic credits (which could be written on a piece of paper and shown to the camera if necessary), and submitted on DVD or VHS tape. You may also use editing software included with many personal computers to make your show more professional.

Those producers who need assistance funding their programs to acquire necessary components of their production, such as purchasing sets or hiring crews may do so by finding underwriters and sponsors. Underwriters make a tax-deductible donation to LTV and the producer receives 50% as a credit to use toward their production. Sponsors make a donation directly to the producer that is not tax deductible to supply items necessary for production - such as food for a cooking program. Both types of support receive credit in the end credits of a program. For more information, ask a staff member how underwriting and sponsorship can help to improve your program.

If you do not have access to a camcorder, or would like to produce a more professional program, you can use LTV's facility for as little as $10/episode. LTV has two studios for your use including cameras and all necessary equipment. All you need to do is get certified as a producer, assemble your volunteer crew, and come up with a topic to discuss! For more information, just give us a call.

LTV currently offers two studios for television production. Studio 2 is an open space that works well for talk shows, small performances and discussions. The Producer's Room works well for roundtables, cooking demonstrations, craft demonstrations or how-to's. If you're unsure what space would work best for you, give us a ring and ask - it's what we do!

Both spaces are limited to 5 people on-air at at time, and we generally recommend having less if possible. We'll work hard to accomodate your special needs - set up a meeting with our production team today!

After filling out some basic paperwork, and submitting your show, the program director will find a place in the schedule where your show will get the best exposure. Creating the airing schedule is a complex process, and we work hard to accommodate requests. Submitted programs are transferred to our digital broadcast system (also known as transcoding) where they are stored for broadcast. The program is then inserted into the schedule, and automatically aired at the appropriate time - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Cooking shows are among the most complex shows to create. You might have a fun time cooking in your kitchen, but in the studio it takes a lot of prep, careful planning and exact timing to ensure success. The LTV kitchen comes with the basics that you will need to create a show (see our facility page for a complete list). Producers need to bring their own food items and equipment outside of the basic offerings. Remember when planning your menu that you will need everything associated with the recipe - that means everything down to the individual spices.

Preparation is key. Be sure that you rehearse your recipe at home first - make sure that it fits in the time alloted. Find ways to make your work go faster. For instance, if your recipe calls for 2 chopped onions, take the time at home to chop the first one and a half onions, and then wrap the last half to be chopped during the demonstration. You should premeasure ingredients into smaller containers to have them ready for the recipe - a practice known as "Mise en place".

If you are planning on participating in a cooking program, we invite you to stop by the studio to see the space, and to walkthrough your recipe. You'd be surprised what a little "pretend" cooking can yield in terms of insight into the actual practice.