KPFT Notes

Luke prepares for today’s Open Journal.

Eric and Lindsey make last-minute edits.

Luke and Eric on the air.Lindsey on the mic.Juliana in the studio.

Eric gives Juliana some editing tips.

Lindsey and Luke (right side of pic) interview French Consul General Denis Simoneau and press rep Kristell Batard this afternoon during Open Journal. Luke, 12, has an impressive digital editing skill set, while Lindsey has been one of the major creative forces behind several new PSAs.

Eric Truong of the Youth Volunteer Program holds down the controls during Open Journal. Eric has been a major asset to shows, having board opped New Capital and many other programs.

In addition, Brady Weinstein and Eric Toole, two more youth volunteers, hosted the classic rock show, and got good feedback.

On Monday, youth volunteers will share their work on Open Journal. Recorded segments include interviews on culture, film, sports, hip-hop, the environment and more. We’ll also have a live poetry reading by Lindsey.

All PSAs, Promos, Station Identifications and Liners have been moved to the “V-Cart” / Wireready system. Refer to the log on the clipboard for the current play schedule. Please note I try to be sensitive to your show and order PSAs/Promos that might be of interest of shows. However, the main goal is service to the community, informing listeners about a broad range of events, programs and more. Keep in mind that service to the listenership is the ideal.

Another point to keep in mind: whether a programmer plays PSAs/Promos as assigned on the log is to be a means by which your program will be evaluated in the future. Good to get into the habit now.

Attached you will find an illustrated walkthrough on Wireready. I am happy to train you one-on-one if you need help. My cell is 713-906-3229.

In short, to load a PSA/Promo:

1. Click “HotLoad” on V-Cart screen
2. Click “Select Folder” on far right of dialog box that appears on screen
3. Choose PSAs (for “P” PSAs) and Promos (for Promos)
4. Pick PSA/Promo by number on log (sort by clicking “Filename” bar)
5. Play from V-Cart pods on board

DO NOT CLOSE WIREREADY! THANKS!

If you are airing after midnight, run the long advisory in the Liners folder of Wireready, and the short one at the top of subsequent hours. This is to cut down on listener confusion about what airs when. Remember that station policy is stricter than FCC policy (i.e. no profanity 10-midnight or 5-6 a.m.).

Let me know if you have questions or needs. Thanks!

All PSAs, Promos, Station Identifications and Liners have been moved to the “V-Cart” / Wireready system. Refer to the log on the clipboard for the current play schedule. Please note I try to be sensitive to your show and order PSAs/Promos that might be of interest of shows. However, the main goal is service to the community, informing listeners about a broad range of events, programs and more. Keep in mind that service to the listenership is the ideal.

Another point to keep in mind: whether a programmer plays PSAs/Promos as assigned on the log is to be a means by which your program will be evaluated in the future. Good to get into the habit now.

Attached you will find an illustrated walkthrough on Wireready. I am happy to train you one-on-one if you need help. My cell is 713-906-3229.

In short, to load a PSA/Promo:

1. Click “HotLoad” on V-Cart screen
2. Click “Select Folder” on far right of dialog box that appears on screen
3. Choose PSAs (for “P” PSAs) and Promos (for Promos)
4. Pick PSA/Promo by number on log (sort by clicking “Filename” bar)
5. Play from V-Cart pods on board

DO NOT CLOSE WIREREADY! THANKS!

If you are airing after midnight, run the long advisory in the Liners folder of Wireready, and the short one at the top of subsequent hours. This is to cut down on listener confusion about what airs when. Remember that station policy is stricter than FCC policy (i.e. no profanity 10-midnight or 5-6 a.m.).

Let me know if you have questions or needs. Thanks!

If you are not going to use your production room time, please call Oseye to scratch your scheduled time and free it up for others to use. I have run into many complaints from those who say they can’t get into the production room to edit their work. Reminder: be considerate of how equipment and time are used. Thanks!

On suggestion from Program Council, I’m trying to craft a better penalty policy that deals with problems of profanity outside of safe harbor, but doesn’t hit too harshly on volunteers. Here is one idea, and I would like your input.

First violation:
Warning, with written notation in files

Second violation:
Suspension of individual programmer for four programs.

Third violation:
Suspension of individual programmer and producer for six programs (case-by-case review if programmer and producer and the same person).

Fourth violation:
Suspension of show as a whole.

We had two second violations this past week, which could’ve put the programs into a possible suspension status, but per suggestions I’m leaning toward shifting the policy somewhat to the above as a way to address the issue. Feedback appreciated.

Regarding safe harbor, listeners often report being confused that more sensitive language is sparingly permitted after midnight on KPFT; many call upset that their pledges could end up spent on fines over safe harbor shows. One of the youth volunteers, Eric, cut an advisory liner (one 15 seconds that gets to the point, and one 30, with explanation of safe harbor, station policy, etc.); if you’re on after 12 and aren’t sure whether your show could run profanity in a song, please run the short advisory liner at the start of your show, and the longer one at the top of the following hour, just so listeners know what’s up. Much appreciated, as it saves listener stress if there’s an aired profanity.

I now have a minidisc recorder available for programmers to check out to collect audio for shows. You are responsible for it (it’s my personal equipment), but I am happy to check an audio pack (with microphone, machine and headphones) out to you for 24-48 hours for recording events. Please let me know when you need to borrow it, and I’ll reserve it for your use. Thanks.

SECURITY ISSUES

On Tuesday around 8:30 p.m., three bricks were thrown at the control room window. That window, as you may know, is Plexiglas and did not shatter, but those individuals are still at large.

Prior to that, the lockbox located in the conference room was pulled off the wall and taken. We’ve also had a number of items disappear as well. Police reports were filed on the above incidents. However, these issues underscore the importance to being aware of your surroundings, those in the building, unusual activities, etc. Certainly, you are encouraged to keep an eye on your belongings too. Please do not hesitate to call me or appropriate authorities as needed. Please let me know if you need any numbers.

MORE ON FCC ISSUES

Just another reminder that we are in a license renewal period and that you should be diligent in reviewing the music you play.

I recently took several actions over FCC violations by programmers, including suspensions, over repeated airings of profanity. The “seven deadlies” (shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits) are not okay outside of safe harbor, and should be very selectively chosen during safe harbor. In addition, explicit portrayals (and innuendoes, on occasion) of sexual and excretory activities are actionable; please use the CD in my box for shows in safe harbor to warn listeners about language. Thanks.

PSAs

Please remember to wrap up two minutes to the close of your shift, so you can play PSAs. There is a PSA/ID log on the clipboard. Most people are doing this well, but many evening programs aren’t ending at 2 until, nor are some shows playing PSAs. Please remember the PSAs serve two purposes.

They’re our service to the community.
They’re a great transition time between shows.

Please make sure to play PSAs.

JUNE PROGRAMMER MEETING

By request, June’s programmer meeting is being scheduled during the week after work hours. No set agenda, but please come by if you can. It will be Thursday, June 16, at 6 p.m. at KPFT.

REMINDER: YOUTH VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

If you have family, friends and/or associates with kids out of school for the summer and looking to be involved in radio, we have a cool new thing. I will be coordinating the summer’s Youth Volunteer Program.

No, we didn’t have a spring or fall program. It’s new and initiated by me. I’d love your input. This gives youth a chance to learn valuable skills and have some fun by being involved in radio. They’ll get equipment training, learn about Pacifica and eventually get to apply their skills on youth volunteer-driven Open Journals.

Later this summer, I’ll be applying the same model to a new volunteer program to get people who want to participate in radio a chance to learn the skills and try them out with us. Currently, we have no means of broadly incorporating volunteers, so this is an exciting development indeed. Contact info below if you need folks to get in touch.

BIG DADDY J UPDATE

Jeff Kendricks (Big Daddy J of Redeye Special) has been transferred to a continuous care facility on Gessner. He can take visitors, but isn’t supposed to talk much on the phone. He reports feeling better, but does have recovery time ahead. Folks are still filling in for him in the meantime. Keep him in your thoughts, please.

The PSA/Promo traffic system kicked off recently, and everyone seems to be doing their part. Great! I know this has been a challenge to get used to, and I appreciate everyone taking time to do theirs. Still, we’re missing a few shows consistently and I’d like to remind everyone to keep working at it. PSAs/Promos are community service for the station, and give ample time for transition between programs. Remember to initial the time each was played.

If you maintain your own show events/music calendar, this is my official request to you to please ensure that, if a venue is not ADA compliant or not otherwise handicapped accessible, to please note that as part of your listing.

KPFT serves a diverse listenership. Consider how upsetting it might be for someone to travel a considerable distance to an event they heard about on KPFT, only to discover the venue doesn’t provide ramps or other forms of access. Be as accurate as you can in this respect. Thanks.