December News from
Denver Open Media

DOM logo
  December 2008
Our Biggest Issue Yet!
:: DOM's 2nd Year Anniversary Bash
:: DOM's Auction Goes Online
:: A Letter from Tony Shawcross
:: Nonprofit Office Space Available
:: DOM Youth Production Group
:: Upcoming Classes
:: DOM's New Studio Crew List
2nd Year Anniversary Bash at Denver Open Media
December 5, 2008 7-11PM
Denver Open Media 2nd Year Anniversary
On December 5th, Denver Open Media will be celebrating its 2nd year anniversary as YOUR nonprofit community media station.

For the past 2 years DOM has been providing affordable community media production classes, access to cutting-edge video equipment, thousands of hours of local programming and free cultural events. This party will feature special presentations by dorkbot, live music, short films, a silent auction, food, drink and a DJ throughout the night. Plus, DOM will be coordinating its second CD swap of the year! Make a mix; burn 10-20 copies; leave with 10-20 new mixes.  Party runs from 7-11pm; there will be a $5 suggested donation at the door.  Everyone is invited!
Silent Auction for Denver Open MediaGet your Christmas shopping done early!
This year, DOM's auction goes online

Get ready to login Friday morning to start bidding on Denver Open Media's online auction items!  Choose from such unique offerings as: a wine tasting party for 20 donated by Bonacquisti Winery; 20 select DVDs from Film Movement; free organic meat for a year donated by Organic Valley; a customized rap by Jonny 5 of the Flobots and many more wonderful items.  Start your holiday shopping early!  Auction to take place at www.denveropenmedia.org/auction on Friday morning and will close Friday night at 10:45pm.  Systems will be set-up at our 2nd year anniversary party to collect bids, but individuals can also bid from home.  All proceeds go to Denver Open Media - thanks for your support!
Letter from our Executive Director Denver
Tony Shawcross reflects on 2008, and shares his vision for 2009

This month marks the completion of our fifth year in business as Deproduction, and our second complete year of operations as Denver's Public Access TV provider, Denver Open Media.  Below are some of the major highlights of 2008 and goals for the upcoming year:

Knight News Challenge and CivicPixel: The greatest accomplishment of 2008 was our selection as a winner of the Knight News Challenge.  This two-year, $380,000 grant is directed at helping us replicate our user-driven model for public access at other stations and community technology centers nation-wide.  Immediately following the grant, we merged with CivicPixel, bringing Brian Hiatt and Sharee Dierringer on-staff full-time, then hired Kevin Reynen and John Montgomery to round-out the team.  Over 30 organizations applied to participate in our first stage beta-test of the Drupal tools we've developed, and six were chosen to receive pro-bono consulting and support from our team. Throughout 2009, we will be visiting each of these stations and helping them complete their implementation, an important initial step in our vision to bring the nationwide Public Access TV community together as a cooperative user-driven TV network.

Denver Metro Nonprofit Production Program:  Thanks to our growing partnership with the Community First Foundation, we were able to initiate the Denver Metro Nonprofit Production Grants program, which supported 6 local nonprofits taking full advantage of the resources available at Denver Open Media. In the summer and fall of 2008, these 6 participating organizations produced nearly 20 video projects, airing on Denver Open Media and across the web.  With the high demand for the program (over 30 applicants) and the great success of our pilot effort, we hope to continue and expand the initiative into 2009 and beyond.

Alliance for Community Media: After only two years in existence, Denver Open Media's reputation as a leader in the Public Access TV community continues to rise. In 2008, we were selected to host the Alliance for Community Media Western Regional Conference.  With over 200 people in attendance, and 3 days of presentations, panels, and parties, the event was a huge success.

Colorado Channel: Thanks to our partnership with Denver8 and the Denver Office of Telecommuncations, we were selected to manage the new statewide "Colorado Channel".  Like Colorado's own C-Span, the channel broadcasts our House of Representatives meetings daily.  In 2009, we will continue that effort, in the hopes of expanding our contract with the state to include the Senate in 2010.

In 2008 we were shocked to see the MicroBusiness Development Corporation go into Bankruptcy.  As the owners of our building, this represents a significant threat to our existence, and also a great opportunity.  We're working together with the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships, the Office of Economic Development, and other city agencies and nonprofit partners to try to purchase the building as a tenant-owned, multi-tenant nonprofit center, with a number of partnering organizations each owning their footprint in this wonderful building.  This is a major focus of mine for 2009, as owning our share of a wonderful, collaborative nonprofit home like this could be a major turning-point in our growth.

Finally, I should mention the great progress our Board of Directors is making.  With leadership from our new Board President, Leslie Matthews, the Board is embarking on our first comprehensive Strategic Planning process, and subsequently leading the organization into a new fundraising era, with plans to hire a Development Associate and participate in a new individual-donor fundraising program that will help ensure our sustainability for years to come.

We're excited about how far we've come in such a short time, and optimistic about the future that is possible with your support.

Thank you,
Tony Shawcross
Nonprofits in Need of a New Home?Denver

A collection of nonprofit organizations and city agencies are cooperating to establish a mutli-tenant nonprofit center in the former MicroBusiness Development Building at 700 Kalamath St.  Together, we're announcing an open-house for interested nonprofit organizations to tour the facility and explore opportunities for cooperative ownership of the building.  Any nonprofit organization looking to lease or purchase new office space in 2009 is encouraged to attend.  Please complete the survey below and RSVP to Tony Shawcross at [email protected].

What: Open House for Prospective Tenant-Owners
When: 4-6pm, December 10, 2008
Where: 700 Kalamath St. Denver 80204
Survey: http://denveropenmedia.org/openhouse
Denver Open Media's Youth Production GroupDenver Open Media Youth Production Group
Next meetings: December 3rd & 17th from 3:30-6:30pm

Do you know a student who dreams of being on TV?  How about working behind the scenes?  If so, they should join Denver Open Media's FREE Youth Production Group! Participants will alternate between learning field, studio and editing techniques.  Students will learn how to produce youth-related content and will help solicit new youth-related programs.  Anyone between the ages of 12-19 can drop by. Please email [email protected] for more information.  
DOM Holiday Closings

Please note: We will be closed Wednesday, December 24th and Thursday, December 25th. We will have limited hours on December 31st and will be closed on January 1st.

Individuals interested in checking-out equipment over the holidays, please be sure to pick-up your reserved item(s) the evening before the holiday closing and return them the next day we are open.
Membership Renewal

For all individuals who became members of DOM last year; your membership may be expired!  Please remember to renew.
 
To continue receiving access to resources, training and equipment at DOM, please call the office at (720) 222-0160 or stop by the station at 7th & Kalamath Streets during our normal business hours.  Thank you very much for your ongoing support!
Upcoming Classes & Events at DOM:

Denver Open Media's Two-Year Anniversary Party!
December 5, Friday 7-11pm

Field Production Workshop
December 6, Saturday, 11-5:30pm

Intro to Studio Production
December 10-11, Wednesday & Thursday, 6-9pm

Field Production Workshop
December 17-18, Wednesday & Thursday, 6-9pm

Intro to Studio Production
January 3, Saturday, 11-6pm

Final Cut Pro Workshop
January 7 & 8, Wednesday & Thursday, 6-9pm

Digital Storytelling
January 22 - January 24, Thursday - Saturday, 9am-5pm

New Studio Crew List
Find crews/projects with DOM's new mailing list

In order to help DOM Members connect with one another to find crew and/or shoots to volunteer on, we have started a studio crew email list. If you would like to be on the list to either announce a shoot/open crew positions OR if you would like to post your availability and skills because you need experience, please send your email to [email protected] and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.  Happy collaborating!