Volunteers produce community television
Volunteers in Bella Vista have lots of choices about where they spend their time. They can check out books at the library or pick up cardboard for the Recycling Center or they can help run their own television station. Bella Vista Community Television has been an all-volunteer community nonprofit since 1981.
It can be seen on Cox 222 or U-Verse channel 99. Viewers who don’t have cable television can see it on YouTube, www.you tube.com/user/bellavista commtv.
At the annual meeting in October, two new board members joined the board, but there’s still room for more, Debby Corwin, vice-chairwoman said. There’s no television experience required for either board members or volunteers. The new board may have some new ideas. One new idea the board is working on is partnering with local high schools or colleges.
“We’re looking at some fresh programming,” she said.
BVTV produces several of its own programs and uses programming from other community television stations. Old favorites like Daily Devotions and Bella Vista Gardening are scheduled, along with newer programs like Mayor’s Rap.
Bella Vista and Beyond is a weekly show with a schedule of rotating hosts who are also the show’s producers. The hosts find the guests each week, station manager Steve Little said. With “Beyond” in the name of the show, the hosts are free to find stories throughout the region.
Last week, J.B. Portillo and Robert Ritschel hosted a holiday show for Bella
Vista and Beyond. Lead bartender at Lakepoint Event Center, Chris Anderson, talked about drinks that are popular with his customers, including his own, award-winning, Bloody Mary.
The classics, he said, always do well. Classics include Manhattans and Old Fashioned. For Christmas, he’s preparing Peppermint Patties, Apple Pies and Coffee Nudges. He can also make a good hot toddy, Portillo commented.
Charles Fowler of Optimal Nutrition Cooking Center showed some healthy alternatives for holiday meals. He made a chocolate cake on the stovetop with vegetables hidden among the ingredients. He made a salad that used Brussels sprouts instead of lettuce.
There’s little editing for a show like Bella Vista and Beyond. The hosts have only one chance to get things right.
The crew includes three people on camera, a sound person and Little who directs. There’s also someone who enters the graphics before the filming begins.
Few volunteers start at the station with previous television experience, Corwin said. They can learn as much as they need to know on the job. Jobs range from on-air as a host to inputting graphics. Studio shows are always filmed on Wednesday morning.
Aidan McAuley has been volunteering with the station for four or five years. He’s 15 years old. He keeps coming back because he likes the job, but he also likes the people. He would like to have a career in filmmaking in the future.
Sometimes the crews travel outside the studio. They always film POA board and city council meetings, as well as special events like the Fourth of July Parade. Shows they produce are usually shown several times a week, but always at a different time of day to make it convenient for everyone to watch.
Most of their funding comes from donations, including memberships.
Because the station films and shows city council meetings, the city provides some funding. Some of the members are businesses that receive advertising for a certain level of membership. To volunteer or get more information, call 479-855-4040.