Higgins, John W. 1994. "Tracing the Vision: A Study of Community Volunteer Producers, Public Access Cable Television, and Empowerment." Dissertation. Ohio State U. Ann Arbor: UMI. 9517017.

All pages of this site copyright John W. Higgins 1994. Permission is granted to use these materials for non-commercial, educational purposes, with proper citation.

1. WHAT LED YOU TO FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION?

2. THE EXPERIENCE WITH PUBLIC ACCESS THAT MOST STANDS OUT IN YOUR MIND.
--> Probe helps, hindrances: participant, community, society

3. EXPERIENCES DURING TRAINING THAT STAND OUT IN YOUR MIND.
--> Probe helps, hindrances: participant, community, society

4. THOUGHTS ON THE VISION OF PUBLIC ACCESS
(See attached sheet)
--> Probe helps, hindrances: participant, community, society

4. THOUGHTS ON THE VISION OF PUBLIC ACCESS
In part, the public access philosophy, or vision, says that:

1. Public access is a First Amendment free speech forum

2. People making video programs become more critical media viewers. They better understand the workings of the media in our society. Producers will create new, creative program styles.

3. People making video programs become more aware of themselves, other people, and society. These producers are then better able to work for change in their lives and society.

Other people in public access argue with some of these ideas. They say that:

1. Not many people watch public access. What good is this First Amendment forum if no one is watching?

2. Learning how to make video programs does not mean a producer becomes more critical of the mainstream media, or how it operates in our society. Producers often just want to copy the way programs are made in broadcast tv.

3. Learning how to make video programs does not mean a producer will look with a critical eye at themselves, others, or society. It does not mean producers will attempt to change anything.

(Note: If you're interested, these discussions can be found most easily in the Community Television Review. Copies and subscription information can be found at ACTV, If you're looking for other places these discussions may be found, talk to John Higgins.)

Public Access TV Producer Group Interview
Group #: _____

Date: _________

Your name: ____________ Name you'd like to use: ____________

A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

a. How many years of schooling have you had?

b. In what year were you born?

c. What is your sex?

d. How do you classify your race?

e. When you were growing up, what work did the main income earner in your family do? (In other words, what kind of place did he or she work at, and what kind of job did he or she do?)

f. How would you classify your current work status, job, career, or current life's work?

g. Is it ok to use your image and comments as recorded on videotape today for educational purposes?

_____ YES _____ NO

_____YES, BUT I have noted on the back of this sheet those segments I do not want you to use.

Signed:

Name: ____________________

Date: ____________________

A. OVERALL:

1. PUBLIC ACCESS INVOLVEMENT

2. NUMBER OF SHOWS -- AS PRODUCER, AS CREW

B. MOMENTS:

THINK BACK TO A TIME WHEN YOU WERE WORKING ON A PROGRAM WHEN:

1. BEST EXPERIENCE
--->> probe

2. MOST DIFFICULT/ HARDEST/ WORST
--->> probe

3. YOU LOOKED AT THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY, OR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE, OR TELEVISION PROGRAMS -- "DIFFERENTLY" [MORE CRITICALLY] THAN YOU DID BEFORE YOU STARTED MAKING VIDEO PROGRAMS.
--->> describe program
--->> probe

4. YOUR EFFORTS WITH PUBLIC ACCESS MADE SOME KIND OF "DIFFERENCE" IN YOUR LIFE OR THE WORLD.
--->> describe program
--->> probe

5. YOUR EFFORTS IN PUBLIC ACCESS WERE WASTED ENERGY.
--->> describe program
--->> probe

6. PERSONAL VISION OF PUBLIC ACCESS? WHEN YOU SAW YOUR VISION OF PUBLIC ACCESS WORKING WELL.
--->> describe program
--->> probe

[LIST VISION--see sheet below]]
7. YOU SAW THE PUBLIC ACCESS VISION WORKING WELL/TOUCHED YOU POSITIVELY.
--->> describe program
--->> probe

[REPEAT VISION--see sheet below]
8. YOU SAW THE PUBLIC ACCESS VISION NOT WORKING WELL/TOUCHED YOU NEGATIVELY.
--->> describe program
--->> probe

NOW, LOOKING BACK AT YOUR ENTIRE EXPERIENCE WITH PUBLIC ACCESS

9. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN THE IMPACTS ON YOUR LIFE?
--->> describe impacts
--->> probe

10. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN THE IMPACTS ON YOUR COMMUNITY?
--->> describe impacts
--->> probe

11. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN THE IMPACTS ON COLUMBUS?
--->> describe impacts
--->> probe

12. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN THE IMPACTS ON SOCIETY AS A WHOLE?
--->> describe impacts
--->> probe

C. ENTIRE INTERVIEW

1. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

D. DEMOGRAPHICS

1. HOW MANY YEARS OF EDUCATION DO YOU HAVE?

2. IN WHAT YEAR WERE YOU BORN?

3. HOW DO YOU CLASSIFY YOUR RACE?

4. WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP, WHAT WORK DID THE MAIN INCOME EARNER IN YOUR FAMILY DO -- WHAT KIND OF PLACE DID HE OR SHE WORK AT AND WHAT KIND OF JOB DID HE OR SHE DO?

5. WHAT IS YOUR SEX?

6. HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY YOUR CURRENT WORK STATUS, JOB, CAREER, OR CURRENT LIFE'S WORK?

E. CLOSING COMMENTS

Name: _______________

Date: _______________

PROBES

P1a. IDEAS/CONCLUSIONS

P2a. FEELINGS/EMOTIONS

P3a. QUESTIONS/CONFUSIONS

P4a. HELPS

P4b. FOR EACH HELP/FACILITATION: HOW HELPED.

P4c. [CHAIN]

P5a. HINDRANCES

P5b. FOR EACH HINDRANCE/HURT: HOW HURT.

P5c. [CHAIN]

P6a. HELPS/BENEFITS WANTED

P6b. FOR EACH HELP WANTED: HOW WOULD HAVE HELPED

P6c. [CHAIN]

P7a. HOW PROBES RELATED TO LIFE
LOOKING BACK AT ALL OF THESE THINGS YOU MENTIONED -- IDEAS/CONCLUSIONS, FEELINGS/EMOTIONS, QUESTIONS/CONFUSIONS, HELPS, HINDRANCES, AND HELPS WANTED -- THAT RELATE TO THIS MOMENT WHEN _________________. HOW DID ALL OF THAT CONNECT WITH/RELATE TO YOUR LIFE?

P8a. ANY OTHER HAPPENINGS

#7 & #8 (above)
THOUGHTS ON THE VISION OF PUBLIC ACCESS
In part, the public access philosophy, or vision, says that:

1. Public access is a First Amendment free speech forum

2. People making video programs become more critical media viewers. They better understand the workings of the media in our society. Producers will create new, creative program styles.

3. People making video programs become more aware of themselves, other people, and society. These producers are then better able to work for change in their lives and society.

Other people in public access argue with some of these ideas. They say that:

1. Not many people watch public access. What good is this First Amendment forum if no one is watching?

2. Learning how to make video programs does not mean a producer becomes more critical of the mainstream media, or how it operates in our society. Producers often just want to copy the way programs are made in broadcast tv.

3. Learning how to make video programs does not mean a producer will look with a critical eye at themselves, others, or society. It does not mean producers will attempt to change anything.

(Note: If you're interested, these discussions can be found most easily in the Community Television Review. Copies and subscription information can be found at ACTV, If you're looking for other places these discussions may be found, talk to John Higgins.)

AREAS      <------------------------------------------------- EMPOWERMENT DOMAIN ---------------------------------------------->
OF        |              PRODUCTION               |                PERSONAL               |              SOCIETAL               |
FOCUS     |  (in construction of video program)   |             (in own life)             |   (in power relations in society)   |
          |======================================================================================================================|
CANON     |C/R:CHARLIE: 3  DENISE:   3  ALFRED: 2 |C/R:CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   1 ALFRED: 1 |C/R:CHARLIE: 2  DENISE:   2  ALFRED: 0|
OF PROD   |    NOREEN:  2  MEREDITH: 2            |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 2            |   NOREEN:  2  MEREDITH: 1           |
          |    TOM:     3  DANIEL:   4            |    TOM:     3  DANIEL:   4            |    TOM:     1 DANIEL:   1           |
          |    THEA:    2  TRENT:    2            |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    3            |    THEA:    1 TRENT:    2           |
          |---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
          |A:  CHARLIE: 2  DENISE:   2  ALFRED: 3 |A:  CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   2  ALFRED: 1|A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   1  ALFRED: 0|
          |    NOREEN:  2  MEREDITH: 1            |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0            |   NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0           |
          |    TOM:     2  DANIEL:   3            |    TOM:     2  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     1 DANIEL:   0           |
          |    THEA:    3  TRENT:    1            |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    1 TRENT:    0           |
=================================================================================================================================|
MEDIA     |C/R:CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   1  ALFRED: 3 |C/R:CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0 ALFRED: 2 |C/R:CHARLIE: 2  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 1|
ORGANI-   |    NOREEN:  4  MEREDITH: 3            |    NOREEN:  3  MEREDITH: 1            |   NOREEN:  3  MEREDITH: 3           |
 ZATION   |    TOM:     2  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     1  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     4 DANIEL:   2           |
          |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    1            |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    1            |    THEA:    1 TRENT:    4           |
          |---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
          |A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0 |A:  CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 1|A:  CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 1|
          |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0            |    NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 0            |   NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 1           |
          |    TOM:     1  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     2  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     0 DANIEL:   0           |
          |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0 TRENT:    1           |
=================================================================================================================================|
NON-MEDIA |C/R:CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 2 |C/R:CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0 ALFRED: 0 |C/R:CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0|
INSTITUT. |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 1            |    NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 1            |   NOREEN:  3  MEREDITH: 3           |
RELATION- |    TOM:     0  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     0  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:    4  DANIEL:   2           |
SHIPS     |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    1            |    THEA:    2 TRENT:    1           |
          |---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
          |A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0 |A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0|A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0|
          |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0            |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 1            |   NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 0           |
          |    TOM:     0  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     0  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     1 DANIEL:   0           |
          |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0 TRENT:    1           |
=================================================================================================================================|
OTHERS    |C/R:CHARLIE: 2  DENISE:   3  ALFRED: 2 |C/R:CHARLIE: 3  DENISE:   1 ALFRED: 3 |C/R:CHARLIE: 3  DENISE:   3  ALFRED: 0|
          |    NOREEN:  4  MEREDITH: 2            |    NOREEN:  2  MEREDITH: 2            |   NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 1           |
          |    TOM:     3  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     3  DANIEL:   4            |    TOM:     2 DANIEL:   3           |
          |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    3            |    THEA:    3  TRENT:    3            |    THEA:    3 TRENT:    2           |
          |---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
          |A:  CHARLIE: 2  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 2 |A:  CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 1|A:  CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0|
          |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0            |    NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 0            |   NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0           |
          |    TOM:     1  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     1  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     1 DANIEL:   0           |
          |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0 TRENT:    1           |
=================================================================================================================================|
SELF &    |C/R:CHARLIE: 3  DENISE:   1  ALFRED: 2 |C/R:CHARLIE: 4  DENISE:   4 ALFRED: 1 |C/R:CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0|
SELF LIFE |    NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 0            |    NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 1            |   NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 0           |
          |    TOM:     1  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     4  DANIEL:   2            |    TOM:     0 DANIEL:   1           |
          |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    1            |    THEA:    3  TRENT:    4            |    THEA:    1 TRENT:    0           |
          |---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
          |A:  CHARLIE: 1  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0 |A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 1|A:  CHARLIE: 0  DENISE:   0  ALFRED: 0|
          |    NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 0            |    NOREEN:  0  MEREDITH: 1            |   NOREEN:  1  MEREDITH: 0           |
          |    TOM:     0  DANIEL:   0            |    TOM:     1  DANIEL:   1            |    TOM:     0 DANIEL:   0           |
          |    THEA:    1  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0  TRENT:    0            |    THEA:    0 TRENT:    1           |
==================================================================================================================================
4 = quite a few responses                      1 = few responses
3 = many responses                             0 = no response
2 = moderate amount of responses