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Welcome To Tracking magazine Online.Tracking is the magazine of the Community
Media Network Ireland. Its aim is to report on Community Media in Ireland.
All contributions are welcome, we are not the journalists you are! To
contribute to tracking or to publicise your event or project E-mail tracking@cmn.ie
OPEN
CHANNEL - PLACE.
REPORT by AUDREY.
If you've witnessed tales of intrigue and drama in your own home town,
your school or workplace or if you feel your community is not being given
a fair chance to make their views known, you will be one of many who welcome
and support the activities of Community Television, as do a number of
media based companies throughout Dublin today. Working hard to maintain
that outlet is a non-profit based community development organisation dedicated
to the establishment of a Community Television service within Ireland.
Open Channel defines it's main aim as the promotion of community based
television through the development of the necessary infrastructure, training
strategies and information networks which will ultimately form the backbone
of Community Television in this country. The Open Channel Television Company
Limited was originally established in 1990 and strongly believe that Community
Television is an invaluable medium in the provision of a forum for those
who do not work in mainstream media, for minority groups and ultimately
those without a voice. It recognises the lack of opportunity, particularly
in areas of severe poverty and those suffering from a lack of adequate
facilities and through their commitment to the maintenance of Community
Television, Open Channel make those facilities available to those who
require it most, permitting you to make your views heard and opinions
known. Through the hard work of an efficient team, Open Channel have undertaken
a number of engaging challenges and have participated and initiated a
number of different, exciting and challenging projects which have invited
the active participation of those previously inexperienced in this field.
One of their most ambitious and successful to date is the popular documentary
series, PLACE, which has attracted a wide audience since first
broadcast on TG4 last year. Consisting of six twenty six minute programmes,
it focuses on a different subject in each broadcast, taking in both urban
and rural areas as well as Northern Ireland and producing a number of
enlightening programmes, made for and about, so called ordinary people
who tell their tales candidly and honestly. Issues previously covered
by the Independent Television network include those of a topical and controversial
nature - a Clondalkin based drug rehabilitation centre featured interviews
with those directly affected by drug abuse and who have benefited enormously
by the work carried out there. Another episode was based in Northern Ireland
and reached behind the bombs and barricades to hear the emotional and
personal experiences of a group of residents from both sides of the fence.
'Northern View' explored the unique stories of a sample crew of Catholic
and Protestant people living in the middle of a victimized area. It examined
and recorded their innermost thoughts and testing struggles through life
and the ways in which they have attempted to overcome those same problems.
Yet another tackled the topical issue of asylum seekers and the way in
which a small Wexford community coped with the sudden influx of foreign
people adopting the peaceful village as their new home. It profiles and
interviews both refugees and existing residents and brings to the fore
prejudices, opinions and outspoken views. PLACE documentaries set out
to initiate, dispute and confront change, news and progression in an engaging
and educational fashion, while granting air space to a previously undiscovered
group of talented individuals.
"PLACE is about giving people the opportunity to empower themselves" says
………….of Open Channel who is already eagerly anticipating the broadcast
of a second series, currently in the early stages of production and to
be titled 'How people respond to social and economic places in which they
have their heart' - this will be broadcast on TG4 at a later stage. Other
assignments and projects accepted by Open Channel include the formation
of a Euroform training programme for Television production skills in association
with three European partners - based in Derry, Copenhagan and Leipzig.
(1992) In 1993 Open Channel were the organisers of the first ever National
Conference on Community Television in Ireland - this took place in the
Irish Film Centre with a keynote address by Laurence Cassidy of the Arts
Council. 1994 saw the establishment of a permanent Community Television
base with Open Channel through the support of FAS - this incorporates
the supervision of a full time co ordinator and fifteen participants and
aims to achieve the ideals of the community. It is committed to ensuring
all workers are fully equipped with the necessary skills to help them
secure full time employment. In 1995 Open Channel organised the second
National Conference on Community Television and led the Irish delegation
to the Flic Flac Young People's Media Festival in Wales. It also initiated
and organised Irish representation at the European Youth Media Summer
School in Holland, while a group of trainees spent two weeks in Hilversum
working with other young people from nine other countries. Together they
debated and explored ideas, going on to present two half hour TV programmes,
which were subsequently transmitted, to a large audience in several different
countries.
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Arts and Disability Awards Ireland-Inspirational Challenge.
Getting funding to support your art has always been a challenge for artists,
more so for disabled artists. But now there is a scheme that offers disabled
artists a new challenge. The Arts & Disability Awards Ireland seeks to
inspire creativity in disabled artists working in all art forms throughout
Ireland. The Awards will help artists to research their chosen field and
explore new options. We hope to kindle the flame of experimental art and
arouse a spirit of adventure that will stimulate creative potential. The
Awards Panel will be looking for: · Artistic excellence · Innovation ·
Potential benefit to the wider community · Quality planning They are also
keen to receive applications for Disability Arts Projects. This year you
will have two chances to apply. The deadlines are 17th August and 7th
December 2001. The total amount available is £18,000 with a maximum Award
offered at £5,000. If you are looking for inspiration, look no further
than the Arts and Disability Awards Ireland. The Awards scheme is an innovative
partnership between the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council
An Chomhairle Ealaion and the Arts and Disability Forum. The Arts & Disability
Forum is a unique orgnisation, fully controlled and run by disabled people.
It's main decision-making body is an executive committee wherein only
disabled people can vote and determine policy. The forum wants to send
a signal to disabled people in the wider community throughout the whole
of Ireland that their inclusion in arts activities is a right not a privilege.
The Awards go a long way to achieve this goal. If you are prepared to
take up the challenge, apply now for an award information pack. Information
can be provided in Braille, audio tape, large print and floppy disk.
If you would like more information, or to obtain your pack, contact
:
The Arts & Disability Forum Unit 45,Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30-50
Distillery Street, Belfast BT 12 5BJ. Tel: (028) 9023 9450 Fax: (028)
9024 7770 Textphone :(028)9023 5744
Email: adf.dforum@dnet.co.uk.
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TRAINING
AT CMN.
Situated in close proximity to the city centre, the CommunityMedia Network
in North Frederick Street is a hive of activity and operates a range of
different training programs within its premises through funding by the
European Union. Primarily focusing on issues relating to the media in
general it incorporates the use of specific mediums such as video and
film production, photography and print journalism in addition to the exploration
of the Internet as a valuable means of communication. Governed by an enthusiastic
team of recruits this organisation was established in 1994 and sets out
"to encourage networking within and between community media and to provide
support for community media groups where key resources are needed." It
also aims to promote community development and empowerment for both local
communities and communities of interest, through radio, print, Internet
and various other resources. As part of their commitment CMN have established
their own website, which acts as a distribution mechanism and liases with
similar networks who share a common goal. They also produce 'Tracking',
a quarterly magazine as well as regular news bulletins which highlight
issues of relevance. The team of employees who share a common interest
have joined the company through community employment schemes and now engage
themselves in a range of issues relevant to the media and it's integral
role within society.
But one of it's most ambitious projects to date is the expansion into
education via the launch of their new computer courses which are tailored
to suit the specific needs of the voluntary sector and offer a unique
insight into the power of the internet. Participants will embark on an
new and exciting program which provides a step by step approach to computers
and their many benefits and will eventually see them familiarising themselves
with the intricacies of the world wide web and producing their own websites.
Participants will benefit from the use of the most up to date equipment
available today throughout the duration of the ten week course, taught
by a fully qualified computer instructor and covering a number of key
areas relating to web design - including html, macro media dream weaver,
Photoshop and FTP. Although some computer knowledge may be an initial
advantage, it is by no means a necessity and the curriculum is suitable
both for beginners and those with experience, allowing individuals to
start from scratch or alternatively to build upon existing skills. Eligibility
for participation include both those on Community Employment Schemes and
Community based Voluntary Organisations with a genuine interest in this
area, particularly those intending to reuse skills acquired and pass them
on to others in the future. Classes are held just one day a week, therefore
allowing you to conveniently incorporate sessions into your current working
commitments and are held on a first come first served basis, for a fee
of just one hundred and fifty pounds per CE worker to £200 for fultime
workers. Further information is available by contacting the
Community Media Network on 01 8783344
E-mail: training@cmn.ie
For more information on course times visit our training section by clicking
on the link above.
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New
Cert in DCU
Applications are open for a new Certificate in Information, Media and
Internet to be offered by School of Communications, Dublin City University,
from September 2001. This programme is designed to meet the specific
needs of community and voluntary organisations, to help build professional
capacity in that sector and to strengthen further its important role in
Irish society. DCU has extensive experience of research, advice and training
in the community and voluntary sector, and this programme extends that
involvement.
Courses in the year-long programme include: Information Gathering;
Writing and Editing Skills; Information Society Policy; Internet Production;
Media Opportunities and Challenges; Community Media. Entry is open
to all in the community and voluntary sector; applicants will be short-listed
and interviewed. A Study Skills module delivered over the first two weeks
of the programme is aimed to ease the move to formal study for those who
do not have recent experience of such study. Students who complete the
Certificate may be eligible for entry to a year-long Diploma (entry from
autumn 2002), in which the main element is a major Project or Dissertation.
The deadline for applications is 31 May 2001. Further information at:
http://www.comms.dcu.ie/cimi
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Tracking Magazine
Summer 01
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