January News from the Open Media Foundation
January 2012
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| 3D Animation Workshop |
In just a few weeks, we will hold our next 3D Animation series, using Blender. One of the most powerful and advanced open source 3D content creation suites in the world, Blender is used by leading animators worldwide, but is free to download and easy to learn.
 In this class, you'll learn the basics and more of 3D animation using Blender, and you will leave knowing how to make a custom logo animation. Hold your spot by registering here!
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| Bold Leaders at OMF |
We recently hosted Bold Leaders, an incredible organization dedicated to providing leadership, development, and training services for young people and adults all over the world.
We truly enjoy working with Bold Leaders and feel so inspired by their passion for change.
 OMF created a custom workshop for Bold Leaders, based on their goals for the participants. If you are interested in setting up your own educational workshop for a group that you are involved with, please contact us to discuss further.
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| Colorado Channel Goes Live |
Through our partnership with the Colorado Channel, we will once again bring you live coverage of the daily proceedings from the House and Senate floor, beginning at 10am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012.
Our Colorado Channel team is excited to back at the Dome offering live broadcasts of the action of the 69th General Assembly. If you miss a day, don't worry; we archive each meeting online on the Colorado Channel website.
We've also got lots of additional content on our website; some examples are How a Bill Becomes a Law and The Redistricting Process in Colorado.
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| Upcoming Classes/Events |
Your Voice, Your Media Tour
Jan 3, Wednesday
5:30p-6:30p
Graphics w Motion 4 Workshop
Jan 5, Thursday
6p-9p
First Friday
Jan 6, Friday
7:30p-10p
Adobe Photoshop Workshop
Jan 12, Thursday
6p-9p
Editing with Final Cut Pro 7
Jan 14, Saturday
11a-6p
Making Music with GarageBand
Jan 17, Tuesday
6p-9p
Intro to Digital Photography
Jan 18, Wednesday
6p-9p
Your Voice. Your Media Tour
Jan 18, Wednesday
5:30p-6:30p
Intro to Studio Production
Jan 18 & 19, Weds & Thurs
6p-9p
Intro to Google Docs
Jan 19, Thursday
6p-9p
Field Production Workshop
Jan 28, Saturday
1p-7p
Editing with Final Cut Pro X
Feb 4, Saturday
1p-4p
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| Executive Director Report | |
Monthly Update with Tony Shawcross 
For humans, reality arises through communication. Our truth, our values, our perception of the world all take shape through communication with others. Communication is how we shape our awareness, our values, our behavior, and our perspective of the world. Today, the impact of mass communications has eclipsed that of interpersonal communication in most people's lives. While there is some diversity of messaging, the shared underlying values of media corporations and their advertisers are ever-present, including the promotion of consumerism, the glorification of financial wealth, and the exaltation of corporate values.Privileges for the wealthy elite are justified, with the concerns of the wealthy, from investing to travel, fine dining to shopping, promoted across every channel. The concerns of low-income communities and their plight are ignored. Rarely is it discussed how everyone could benefit if underprivileged children had the same opportunity to contribute to society at the highest level as their wealthy peers. Good education and healthcare are reserved for the rich, and these inequities are justified by a communications system which naturally represents the values of the individuals and organizations who own and sustain corporate media.Technology has given us an opportunity to create new communications systems that are not driven by the profit motive. We can enable minority and under-privileged communities to contribute to the awareness, values, and perspectives formed through the media. We can build a world where we are all invested in ensuring that all our children have every opportunity to be the next Einstein, the next Bill Gates. The Open Media Foundation is working towards that end: ensuring that nonprofit organizations have access to top-quality communications services they can afford; providing media and technology education to under-served communities, and offering access to the tools required to engage in mass communications.For the first time since our formation as a nonprofit in 2004, the board and staff are starting 2012 off with a two-day strategic planning retreat. Its an opportunity to take a step back and look at the mission, vision, and approach of the Open Media Foundation and make sure we're doing the best job we can of shifting media and communications into a tool that brings about the future we envision.As we enter into the process, I'm reaching out to those of you who receive this newsletter to invite you to engage in that process. Please take a look below at the mission, vision, and approach that has guided the organization for the past 8 years and contact us if you have any suggestions, requests, or words of encouragement as we explore how OMF can best leverage our work to make the greatest impact for our community.MissionThe Open Media Foundation exists to put the power of the media in the hands of the people, enabling everyone to engage in their community and bring about the change they wish to see in the world.VisionWe envision a world where every person is able to actively engage with their community and bring about the change they wish to see in the world. To that end, we work towards:
- Unbridled Free Speech
- Respect for Diversity
- Total Participation & Civic Engagement (participation not limited to privileged communities, see PEW statistics)
- Expanded Community Awareness (mass communications that promote awareness beyond commercial interests and the concerns of privileged communities)
Approach
- Services (Web, Video, Graphics for Nonprofits)
- Education (teaching people emerging communication skills)
- Tools (providing the resources necessary for people to engage in the media)
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| New DOM Hours Starting in 2012! | |
After reviewing member use of DOM for the last few years we have decided to make a slight adjustment to our hours of operation Tuesday-Friday. Our new hours will be Tuesday-Friday 1pm-8:30pm, effective January 3rd, 2012. Saturday hours will remain 11am-6pm.
We hope that this change will be a positive one and will be more convenient to our members. We have decided to make this adjustment due to the many requests to open earlier and due to the limited activity at DOM after 8:30pm. Please also note that some classes may end after DOM closes. Please see the details on our site for each class's hours. |
First Friday at Denver Open Media: Harry Potter Movie Night
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On the first Friday of most months, DOM hosts a free community event that spotlights local performance groups, musical acts, and nonprofit organizations. These events are usually broadcast live on Comcast channel 57 and re-broadcast on channels 56, 57 and 219. They are also available online.
Next event: Friday, January 6 
Doors at 7:30p,
Event starts at 8p
Watch the alternative version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as it has very rarely been seen before, filled with profanity, unsafe for children of any age, and very very weird. Wear your best Griffindor attire. Brooms must be checked at the door. No live owls aloud
allowed in the screening room.
This event will be held inside Denver Open Media's Studio A. This event is free and open to the public; see you there! |
| Want to Learn the Inner Workings of a TV Station? |
Station Access Interns Needed at OMF
It's a great time to apply for our Station Access internship. This position is a great fit for someone with an interest in studio management and has a passion for independent production, as well as the ability to commit to a 12 hour/week, 200-hour total internship schedule. This internship is perfect for someone who would like to build their media resume, while at the same time gaining access to the incredible
internship benefits OMF has to offer, such as access to free classes and a free membership upon completion of the internship.If you are interested in this opportunity or any other internship opportunities at the Open Media Foundation, please visit our internship page for more information.
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Spotlight of the Month: Querida Paty
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For this month's Spotlight of the Month, we talked with Patricia Strawser, one of Denver Open Media's members and host/producer of "Querida Paty", her television show and winner in our "Cultural Perspectives" category in our annual "Best of DOM" awards for 2011.
 | | Click for link to show |
How did you begin producing videos?
We wanted to film some training videos based on our Spiritual Engineering workshops that we were doing for the Hispanic/Latino population. We tried to this with home equipment but the production/quality was definitely not what we needed. We could not afford a professional filming company and heard about Denver Open Media. As we saw the equipment and training, we became aware that we could receive high quality training, plus film and broadcast shows that could contribute to the local Latino community.
What is the message of your show?
"Querida Paty" is a Spanish talk show that aims to educate, inspire, and connect Latino communities. It harmonizes science and spirituality to offer specific solutions that improve relationships and produce individual self-respect and happiness. This show combines heart-touching personal stories with practical answers that appeal to the family-based spiritual-oriented audience. We want to both offer hispanic viewers culturally sensitive solutions for relationships and families and report local events, organizations, and individuals that are making a difference in the Latino community. Finally, we want to inspire each person to unleash the untapped power of their Hispanic heritage to improve their lives and the community.
What do you do outside of producing videos?
We do workshops, lectures, and inspirational talks focused on Spiritual Engineering--a revolutionary approach to relationships and feelings. It combines science and personal spirituality to let any person to enjoy an extraordinary life-no matter what is happening in the outside world or what other people say or do. In these seemingly un-scientific areas of feelings and relationships, Spiritual Engineering provides a precise method to separate symptoms from problems, find the best solution, and implement that solution to transform lives. The process provides a scientific approach to find personal spirituality.
What is your advice to aspiring producers?
Without a doubt: Check out Denver Open Media. See the wide variety of high-quality training and equipment offered by this local group. Take advantage of the tremendous expertise that available and affordable.
Why is public access television important?
It gives us-and many others-an opportunity that would not exist without it. This offers us the chance to present ideas, training, and outreach to the local Latino community that can impact the lives of this population. We have the opportunity to showcase Hispanic leaders, people who make a difference in the community and to present solutions for relationship problems and personal contention that actually produce results. This if the type of recognition offers a positive contract and exchange that benefits everyone and give others-especially young people, the chance to see the value of community service.
The Internet presence that DOM offers is becoming increasingly important to us. We have had glowing and positive emails from Colombia, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Chile and Spain about the content of the Querida Paty show
If your show airs regularly, please let us know the title, day, time and channel of broadcast.
"Querida Paty" airs every Tuesday at 5 PM at channel 56.
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Denver Open Media's Youth Production Group: Open Media Generation
| 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!
The Open Media Generation Youth Group meets weekly! Anyone between the ages of 11-24 can stop by any Wednesday from 3:30-6pm to join the fun...and did we mention it is free?
Participants will learn field, studio and editing techniques. Students will learn how to produce youth-related content and will help solicit new youth-related programs. Please check out our website for more information or email ann@openmediafoundation.org
Also, we are always looking for food donations to help keep our youth fed and alert during trainings/productions. Please let us know if you have suggestions or information about youth group sponsorships. 
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