policies and procedures update

There have been a couple of additions to VCAM's policies that were approved at last night's board of directors meeting. Every user of this facility, whether making shows from scratch or just submitting tapes for playout, should be familiar with the document as it describes how things work here. The entire document is viewable online here and downloadable as a pdf file here. Re-writes, additions and deletions occasionally occur and we try to keep access users aware of them.

The additions are as follows...

Section IV/E/1 contains the following addition:

Access users should limit their presence in the VCAM facility to the times they have specifically reserved. For example, if an access user has a reservation in the studio for 4:00pm, the access user should not arrive 3:00 or 3:30pm, but as close to 4:00pm as possible. If additional time is needed for set-up, that time should be scheduled in advance in the form of a reservation. Likewise, access users should vacate the facility when their reservation time is up. Sometimes a production may need a few minutes to put away sets, gather belongings, etc. This time should be factored into the reservation as well.

Section V/B is entirely new and reads:

B. Technical Requirements
Programs submitted to VCAM for playout must meet VCAM's minimum technical requirements. If you are unsure whether your program meets our technical requirements, you may ask VCAM staff for assistance. VCAM's minimum technical requirements are as follows:

1. Format
Programming submitted to VCAM for playout must be in one of the following video formats:

*VHS
*SVHS
*DVD (playable, not a data disk)
*Mini DV
*DVCAM

2. Labeling
All programming submitted to VCAM for playout must be clearly labeled with the following information:

*Title of the program
*Title/Number of the episode (if applicable)
*Name of the producer (and local sponsor, if applicable)
*Total running time (accurate to the nearest second)
*Date of first playout (ask VCAM staff if unsure)

Note: in-house productions will be labeled by VCAM staff but the relevant information must be provided by the program's producer.

3. Video signal
Programming submitted on videotape must include 30 seconds of clean, blank video prior to and following the program and must be free of control track breaks and glitches. A title slate and "academy leader" countdown/2-pop are suggested, but not required.

VCAM reserves the right to refuse broadcast of any programming that does not meet these minimum technical standards (until the program has been amended to meet them). Ask VCAM staff to help you if you are not sure how to comply with any of these specifications.

Please contact us at the studio if you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes. Happy Valentine's Day!