autumn's blog

From the Vault

Special thanks to former DMA intern Nick Lopez, who developed the From the Vault opener and has digitized much of the content we'll be highlighting!

The latest episode of “Davis Media Access: From the Vault” is a real treasure. This 1990 interview features local notables Bob Dunning and Lori Aldrete interviewing the inimitable Bob Hope. The piece was directed by Aaron Vinck, who went on to work in community access television in San Francisco in later years, and was produced by Davis Community Television. 

On Davisville

Host Bill Buchanan catches up with former mayor Joe Krovoza. Listen here.

From the Fifth Street traffic redesign and a plastic bag ban to economic development and the city water supply, the civic side of Davis saw several changes from early 2011 to mid-2014. Joe Krovoza, as mayor during that stretch, had a hand in attaining many of them. On today’s Davisville he sizes up his legacy, offers his take on a few continuing ideas like the railroad relocation proposal downtown ... and talks about what he's been doing since leaving office last June.

KDRT - thank our underwriters!

DJUSD TV

As part of DMA’s partnership with the Davis Joint Unified School District to manage educational access television services, we provide a production internship for high-school students. Students learn a variety of technical skills, both on location and in the field, get to list productions on their resume, and gain academic credit in the process. Interns help DMA produce more than 60 school-related productions each year.

Community events

Davis Feminist Film Festival: The UC Davis Women's Resources and Research Center is now accepting submissions for the 2015 Davis Feminist Film Festiva, l until December 31, 2014. The Davis Feminist Film Festival welcomes short-form films from professionals, students, and community members locally, nationally, and internationally. People underrepresented in the media field are especially encouraged to submit a film for consideration.

From the Vault

Davis Media Access (DMA) is a community media center that has served Davis and environs for more than 25 years, amassing an archive of more than 10,000 locally produced videos. These programs tell the story of our area: our struggles, triumphs, concerns, and motivations. Most were either produced by, or feature, community members. In an era where broadcast outlets became fewer and increasingly homogenized, these programs helped tell the story of our community in a very real, and meaningful way, often covering what the Sacramento media market would not.

A Note From the Director

Though fall’s cooler temps have yet to manifest, the busyness that characterizes the season is in full force. Here at DMA, we mark the start of KDRT’s 10th anniversary year, which officially began on Sept. 24. It was on that date in 2004 that then-Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson “flipped the switch” and KDRT was off and running. This small station has manifested tremendous amounts of community involvement and goodwill over the years.  Still run primarily by volunteers and on a shoestring budget, this grassroots station has nonetheless made a large impact, both locally and on the national low-power FM scene.

My hat is off to KDRT’s Steering Committee, its programmers, the DMA board, DMA”s staff, for whom KDRT is largely an after-hours labor of love, and the community—musicians, guests, listeners and supporters—for having grown a truly remarkable resource.  Here’s to many more, and please read on in the newsletter for some exciting KDRT updates. We look forward to celebrating Year 10 all year long!

Upcoming Events

Camera Workshop: A second workshop for our new field cameras is scheduled for Thursday Oct. 16 from 6:30-8:30pm.  This workshop is only offered to volunteers currently in good standing and who have DCTV Field Camera certification. We will soon offer a workshop for new volunteers.  No RSVP needed- just show up at the station!

General Orientation: Getting involved in your community media center is extremely satisfying. Learning new skills and sharpening old ones, all while improving our shared civic life, are just a few of the benefits. The first step is to attend a General Orientation scheduled Wednesday October 22 at 6:30pm.

Under the Covers: A fun evening of music to help us kick off Year 10 for KDRT! A night of cover bands and fall frolics supporting KDRT. Oct. 23, Sudwerk Dock Store, 5:30-9:30 pm., $5.

PSA Day: Save the Date, Feb. 11 & 12, 2015. Service for non-profits to make a one-minute public service announcement. Invitations go out in January. Want to be included? Email info@davismedia.org, Attn: PSA Day.

New Production Assistant Hours

We’re happy to announce that Eunah Cho, who joined our staff a few months back as an on-call production specialist, now has regular office hours on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1-6pm. Eunah will be here to help provide production assistance for video producers, and you may see her at the front desk during those hours as well. We are thrilled to be able to offer some additional assistance!

KDRT News

With the start of a new quarter KDRT has unveiled a variety of new programs.

"Dead Wax" premiered on KDRT Oct. 8 with a show featuring Parker Millsap’s debut album. Live on Wednesday from 5-6pm and replays every Thursday at 11pm.

"Civilization Phaze IV" hosted by Eunah Cho, harvests the ripest fruits classical music and its offshoots have to offer.  She’ll tell you a bit about their roots and try to show you how wonderful this music can be for the mind and the soul. Live on Tuesday from 2-3pm and replays every Wednesday at 10pm and Thursday at 7:30am.

DJUSD TV Notes

In partnership with the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD), DMA manages the resources and day-to-day operations of our local educational access cable channel.

New interns: welcome to new interns this fall: Patrick Cajandig, a senior at DHS; Corin Shields, a junior at Da Vinci; Elisa McIsaac, a senior at DHS,  and Emily Merten, a junior at DHS. These interns join other continuing interns and will record a variety of events at secondary schools in Davis this quarter.

You Make the Difference - Donate to Davis Media Access

DMA conducts its major fund-raising appeal each spring, but we actively seek our community's support year round. Fundamentally, community media is about telling people’s stories. From those involved with the governance of our city, to those whose voices are marginalized, community media bridges economic strata, political affiliations and cultural backgrounds. Highlighting people’s stories helps us to share what’s important – what defines us and connects us as a community. These stories unfold through a complex narrative spanning community events, lectures, performances, meetings, interviews, public affairs, music and so much more.

It’s DMA’s mission to provide technology, access, training and support to encompass this broad range of voices and perspectives. We can't do this without consistent support from our community. Please consider a donation to DMA. Thank you!