[IMC-Video] IMC TV series: working proposal
Michael Eisenmenger
eisenmen at tao.ca
Tue, 18 Sep 2001 13:46:56 -0500
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Hey all,
There was a meeting last night at the NYC-IMC to discuss what kind of
coordinated video response could be possible from the IMC (obviously
a larger discussion). A number of possibilities exists, and they
should all be discussed here to see what participation and interest
there is for joint efforts. Carlos will be sending out notes from the
meeting today.
More immediately it was decided we would try to do a 28 min program
in the coming week from New York, to be finished in time for the
scaled down activities in DC. This is not intended to be a definitive
program - just a quick response (mostly from NYC and hopefully with
DC participation) to get out in the mix. Paper Tiger is also working
on a 28 min studio show to be shot this weekend, segments may be
pulled from that if relevant and needed. Again, these are just the
more immediate efforts happening here.
There is a strong feeling that a more coordinated effort and series
is called for, something that can deal with emerging issues with
greater depth for as long as this crisis persists. Programs could go
out over FSTV and be distributed for other public access airings, and
used in university teach-ins and town halls. At the meeting last
night I suggested something along the lines of the Gulf Crisis TV
project the process of which I'll try to detail more here (I was
involved with PTTV at the time but less so with this series since we
were doing other shows as well). Again - THIS is only a possible
model being proposed for discussion.
Months before the ground war started in Iraq, Paper Tiger and Deep
Dish did a call for tapes around the country, tapes people were
making documenting the dissent and protests against the war that
existed in every community around the country (though the mainstream
media wasn't covering it). The response was enormous and initially
these tapes were assembled into 4 programs that were satellitecast by
Deep Dish around the country, these aired before the ground war
started and were used extensively in teach-ins. The programs were
made by teams of paper tiger producers. Subsequently six more
programs were produced for the series by inviting additional
producers, this was a more diverse group that resulted in an even
greater number and diversity of voices expressing dissent.
More importantly, the programs didn't just document events on the
street, rather they focused on hard issues surrounding the Gulf War.
producers took on specific topics, sorted through relevant material
from incoming tapes, organized segment producers and crews and
finally assembled the program. I've included the titles from the
series below so you can get a sense of the types of issues covered.
So - given the current situation, with IMC's everywhere
internationally, we have another interesting opportunity to
coordinate a similar video response building off of older and current
IMC production models. This doesn't mean production would need to be
centralized in NYC, I don't think that is necessary or good, nor does
the capacity exists here to handle such a huge task. Instead we could
discuss programs here (online), have IMC's or others take on specific
programs and produce them with the coordinated efforts of others
(Deep Dish did many series this way, with coordinating producers
around the country assembling shows for a larger thematic series -
though with a coordinating producer in NYC keeping track of
everything). The goal would be to create maximum participation at all
levels of production - but with rather strict deadlines and
timetables - we can't let this work linger on and on for months. And
programs and segments would not need to be made only in the US -
there is no reason why a groups like TVAC in Canada or even a
southern IMC could not participate in the series, even coordinating
the production of an entire program. In fact bringing in more diverse
and international voices should be the goal.
In a few days, we should have an online database up to track footage
and their sources via the web. If people really make use of this, we
could simplify the coordination of a series of programs by more
easily locating and requesting footage and also potential segment
producers. This would enable us to avoid the delays and
centralization of a single intake location and decentralize most if
not all production.
So - this is just one proposal for a process - certainly not 'the'
only solution, just something to float and measure responses.
Determining what people are interested in and what they have the time
and capacity for is more significant. So, for any production, are
people interested in:
1) providing raw footage (and entering info about it in the database)
2) shooting interviews upon request of a program or segment producer
3) cutting a segment for a possible thematic program
4) coordinating segment producers and assembling an entire program
5) assisting with distribution, press and outreach
take care,
Michael
---------------
Below are the programs that composed the Gulf Crisis series - I'm
listing these only to show how work was broken down along issues
areas and the diversity of issues covered. Each program had 2-4
coordinating producers that coordinated segment producers, interviews
and raw footage.
War, Oil and Power
Investigates the military and energy industries and explores the
interlocking interests between the two. Features Alexandra Allen
(Greenpeace), Joe Stork (Middle East Report), Abbas Al-Nasravi,
Dessima Williams (former Ambassador to Grenada), Catherine
Tompa(Daughters of Mother Jones) and economist and Jon Naar.
Operation Dissidence
How the mobilization for the war was sold to the American people.
Includes insightful media analysis from Laura Flanders and Jeff Cohen
(Fairness Accuracy In Reporting), Noam Chomsky and Paul Zaloom
(Beekman's World).
Getting Out of the Sand Trap
Political and economic analysis of US relations with the Middle East
and a general overview of foreign policy in the post-cold war world.
Features Daniel Ellsberg, Edward Said, Rabab Hadi and Michael Ratner.
Bring the Troops Home!
Military families join anti-war activists, soldiers go AWOL, war
veterans and conscientious objectors speak out, dissenting GIs in
Germany produce Just Say No rap
News World Order
A look at the ways the media largely backed down during the Gulf War;
military censorship, press restrictions and the repression of
dissenting voices. Features music clips and performance pieces from a
variety of artists, and media analysis from journalists, FAIR and
Center for Constitutional Rights.
Manufacturing the Enemy
How racism is used to dehumanize the enemy, interviews with Arab
Americans victimized by violence, FBI crack downs and racist hatred.
A brief history of the Japanese internment camps and the legacy they
left. How to protect your civil rights.
Lines in the Sand
This programs reviews the history of colonialism and intervention in
the Middle East, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Pan-Arab self-
determinism and the human cost of the War. Features Eqbal Ahmad,
Nubar Hovsepian, Saeb Erakat and Phyllis Bennis.
Global Dissent
Reactions to the war from all over the world. Features Olga Mejia,
Human Rights Commission, Panama, Clytie Causin, Gabriella Network,
Philippines, Nawal El Saadawi, Egyptian Novelist, Ricardo Alarcon de
Quezada, Cuban Ambassador to the UN, John Trundell, Native American
Poet, Gustavo Acosta, FMLN, El Salvador and many more.
Just Say No!
A look at the resistance within the military, what is the fate of the
conscientious objectors and the hundreds of GIs that went AWOL in
Germany. This program highlights the testimony of the military
resisters, their families and the support networks where they sought
refuge.
War on the Home Front
The billions of $ spent of mass destruction in the war is paralleled
to decline of the US economy, budget cuts in labor, healthcare,
housing and education. It examines the military treatment of pubic
lands within the US, the ecological devastation that occurs in the
production of weapons and the grassroots movements efforts to change
this nation's priorities.
______________________________________________________
Michael Eisenmenger Paper Tiger Television
339 Lafayete Street, New York, New York 10012
PH:212 420-9045 Fax:212 420-8196 http://papertiger.org
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--></style><title>IMC TV series: working
proposal</title></head><body>
<div>Hey all,</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>There was a meeting last night at the NYC-IMC to discuss what
kind of coordinated video response could be possible from the IMC
(obviously a larger discussion). A number of possibilities exists,
and they should all be discussed here to see what participation and
interest there is for joint efforts. Carlos will be sending out notes
from the meeting today.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>More immediately it was decided we would try to do a 28 min
program in the coming week from New York, to be finished in time for
the scaled down activities in DC. This is not intended to be a
definitive program - just a quick response (mostly from NYC and
hopefully with DC participation) to get out in the mix. Paper Tiger
is also working on a 28 min studio show to be shot this weekend,
segments may be pulled from that if relevant and needed. Again, these
are just the more immediate efforts happening here.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>There is a strong feeling that a more coordinated effort and
series is called for, something that can deal with emerging issues
with greater depth for as long as this crisis persists. Programs
could go out over FSTV and be distributed for other public access
airings, and used in university teach-ins and town halls. At the
meeting last night I suggested something along the lines of the Gulf
Crisis TV project the process of which I'll try to detail more here
(I was involved with PTTV at the time but less so with this series
since we were doing other shows as well). Again - THIS is only a
possible model being proposed for discussion.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Months before the ground war started in Iraq, Paper Tiger and
Deep Dish did a call for tapes around the country, tapes people were
making documenting the dissent and protests against the war that
existed in every community around the country (though the mainstream
media wasn't covering it). The response was enormous and initially
these tapes were assembled into 4 programs that were satellitecast by
Deep Dish around the country, these aired before the ground war
started and were used extensively in teach-ins. The programs were
made by teams of paper tiger producers. Subsequently six more
programs were produced for the series by inviting additional
producers, this was a more diverse group that resulted in an even
greater number and diversity of voices expressing dissent.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>More importantly, the programs didn't just document events on
the street, rather they focused on hard issues surrounding the Gulf
War. producers took on specific topics, sorted through relevant
material from incoming tapes, organized segment producers and crews
and finally assembled the program. I've included the titles from the
series below so you can get a sense of the types of issues
covered.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>So - given the current situation, with IMC's everywhere
internationally, we have another interesting opportunity to
coordinate a similar video response building off of older and current
IMC production models. This doesn't mean production would need to be
centralized in NYC, I don't think that is necessary or good, nor does
the capacity exists here to handle such a huge task. Instead we could
discuss programs here (online), have IMC's or others take on specific
programs and produce them with the coordinated efforts of others
(Deep Dish did many series this way, with coordinating producers
around the country assembling shows for a larger thematic series -
though with a coordinating producer in NYC keeping track of
everything). The goal would be to create maximum participation at all
levels of production - but with rather strict deadlines and
timetables - we can't let this work linger on and on for months. And
programs and segments would not need to be made only in the US -
there is no reason why a groups like TVAC in Canada or even a
southern IMC could not participate in the series, even coordinating
the production of an entire program. In fact bringing in more diverse
and international voices should be the goal.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>In a few days, we should have an online database up to track
footage and their sources via the web. If people really make use of
this, we could simplify the coordination of a series of programs by
more easily locating and requesting footage and also potential
segment producers. This would enable us to avoid the delays and
centralization of a single intake location and decentralize most if
not all production.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>So - this is just one proposal for a process - certainly not
'the' only solution, just something to float and measure responses.
Determining what people are interested in and what they have the time
and capacity for is more significant. So, for any production, are
people interested in:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>1) providing raw footage (and entering info about it in the
database)</div>
<div>2) shooting interviews upon request of a program or segment
producer</div>
<div>3) cutting a segment for a possible thematic program</div>
<div>4) coordinating segment producers and assembling an entire
program</div>
<div>5) assisting with distribution, press and outreach</div>
<div>take care,</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Michael</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>---------------</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Below are the programs that composed the Gulf Crisis series -
I'm listing these only to show how work was broken down along issues
areas and the diversity of issues covered. Each program had 2-4
coordinating producers that coordinated segment producers, interviews
and raw footage.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>War, Oil and
Power</i><br>
Investigates the military and energy industries and explores the
interlocking interests between the two. Features Alexandra Allen
(Greenpeace), Joe Stork (Middle East Report), Abbas Al-Nasravi,
Dessima Williams (former Ambassador to Grenada), Catherine
Tompa(Daughters of Mother Jones) and economist and Jon
Naar.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Operation
Dissidence</i><br>
How the mobilization for the war was sold to the American people.
Includes insightful media analysis from Laura Flanders and Jeff Cohen
(Fairness Accuracy In Reporting), Noam Chomsky and Paul Zaloom
(Beekman's World).</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Getting Out of
the Sand Trap</i><br>
Political and economic analysis of US relations with the Middle East
and a general overview of foreign policy in the post-cold war world.
Features Daniel Ellsberg, Edward Said, Rabab Hadi and Michael
Ratner.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Bring the Troops
Home!</i><br>
Military families join anti-war activists, soldiers go AWOL, war
veterans and conscientious objectors speak out, dissenting GIs in
Germany produce Just Say No rap</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>News World
Order</i></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000">A look at the ways
the media largely backed down during the Gulf War; military
censorship, press restrictions and the repression of dissenting
voices. Features music clips and performance pieces from a variety of
artists, and media analysis from journalists, FAIR and Center for
Constitutional Rights.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Manufacturing
the Enemy</i><br>
How racism is used to dehumanize the enemy, interviews with Arab
Americans victimized by violence, FBI crack downs and racist hatred.
A brief history of the Japanese internment camps and the legacy they
left. How to protect your civil rights.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Lines in the
Sand</i><br>
This programs reviews the history of colonialism and intervention in
the Middle East, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Pan-Arab self-
determinism and the human cost of the War. Features Eqbal Ahmad,
Nubar Hovsepian, Saeb Erakat and Phyllis Bennis.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Global
Dissent</i><br>
Reactions to the war from all over the world. Features Olga Mejia,
Human Rights Commission, Panama, Clytie Causin, Gabriella Network,
Philippines, Nawal El Saadawi, Egyptian Novelist, Ricardo Alarcon de
Quezada, Cuban Ambassador to the UN, John Trundell, Native American
Poet, Gustavo Acosta, FMLN, El Salvador and many more.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>Just Say
No!</i><br>
A look at the resistance within the military, what is the fate of the
conscientious objectors and the hundreds of GIs that went AWOL in
Germany. This program highlights the testimony of the military
resisters, their families and the support networks where they sought
refuge.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="+1" color="#000000"><i>War on the Home
Front</i><br>
The billions of $ spent of mass destruction in the war is paralleled
to decline of the US economy, budget cuts in labor, healthcare,
housing and education. It examines the military treatment of pubic
lands within the US, the ecological devastation that occurs in the
production of weapons and the grassroots movements efforts to change
this nation's priorities.</font></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font face="Courier" size="+1"
color="#000000">_________________________________________<span
></span>_____________</font></div>
<div><font face="Courier" size="+1" color="#000000">Michael
Eisenmenger <span
></span> Paper Tiger Television</font></div>
<div><font face="Courier" size="+1" color="#000000">339 Lafayete
Street, New York, New York 10012</font></div>
<div><font face="Courier" size="+1" color="#000000">PH:212 420-9045
Fax:212 420-8196 http://papertiger.org</font></div>
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