Check out previous shows by searching "AMS Show" on GrassRootsTV.org :http://grassrootstv.org/search.aspx?term=ams%20show
Posted by: Rye Zupancis
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
AMS kids rock out to the ukulele!
Last week the Aspen Middle School kids produced an interview and live performance by local middle schooler Damien Beecroft. Beecroft played an awesome cover of "Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Sarah Navias did an excellent job hosting the interview, and the kids easily directed and worked camera for this complicated show. After supervising five years of the AMS Media Literacy Class, I'd have to say this is up there with the best programs the kids have produced. Watch the program right now by clicking this link: http://grassrootstv.org/Show.aspx?ShowID=10795
Friday, April 20, 2012
Tight Knit Crew
As I near being employed for 5 years at GrassRoots TV, I think how lucky I am. Out of our small staff of 5, I am the newest employee. To me, that says quite a bit.
GrassRoots isn't the most sexy of non-profits, we don't attract a huge volume of big donors, we work hard for our keep. We have stayed in business, employing all 5 of us through some thin times. We have watched other non-profits go out of business, and wondered if we were next. We long for the days where we don't have to cling to fully depreciated equipment that should have been replaced by now. I'd like to say my crystal ball says "the worst is over"... but that crystal ball is fully depreciated and beyond repair.
To be the newest employee at 5 years, also says that all 5 of us get along. I've worked jobs where co-workers have driven me out. It's not healthy to dislike your co-workers. At GrassRoots I enjoy each day with my co-workers. Sure everyone has off days, but there isn't one person on staff I'd "swap-out". Yes, I'm guessing their reading this right now... it's true I do love each of you, thanks for being so wonderful to work with.
The last and very important piece to this puzzle is our fearless leader, El Jefe. El Jefe has a management style that allows each one of us to do what we enjoy. Sure we all have job duties that we don't especially love to do, but we all do them bc someone has to. All of us are so fortunate to work for someone who lets us be who we want to be professionally. He doesn't micro manage or come down on us to heavily when things go wrong. He nurtures our individual styles that creates a positive work environment. I would say that without him GrassRoots TV would have been a beggar on a street corner long ago.
In conclusion, I hope all of you out there reading this can find this kind of cohesiveness in your life. Whether it be in your work, family, team, friends, or other misc group, cohesion in a group can make a good group, great.
GrassRoots isn't the most sexy of non-profits, we don't attract a huge volume of big donors, we work hard for our keep. We have stayed in business, employing all 5 of us through some thin times. We have watched other non-profits go out of business, and wondered if we were next. We long for the days where we don't have to cling to fully depreciated equipment that should have been replaced by now. I'd like to say my crystal ball says "the worst is over"... but that crystal ball is fully depreciated and beyond repair.
To be the newest employee at 5 years, also says that all 5 of us get along. I've worked jobs where co-workers have driven me out. It's not healthy to dislike your co-workers. At GrassRoots I enjoy each day with my co-workers. Sure everyone has off days, but there isn't one person on staff I'd "swap-out". Yes, I'm guessing their reading this right now... it's true I do love each of you, thanks for being so wonderful to work with.
The last and very important piece to this puzzle is our fearless leader, El Jefe. El Jefe has a management style that allows each one of us to do what we enjoy. Sure we all have job duties that we don't especially love to do, but we all do them bc someone has to. All of us are so fortunate to work for someone who lets us be who we want to be professionally. He doesn't micro manage or come down on us to heavily when things go wrong. He nurtures our individual styles that creates a positive work environment. I would say that without him GrassRoots TV would have been a beggar on a street corner long ago.
In conclusion, I hope all of you out there reading this can find this kind of cohesiveness in your life. Whether it be in your work, family, team, friends, or other misc group, cohesion in a group can make a good group, great.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
WeIrDeSt thing to happen at GrassRoots TV today....
What is it that makes our Valley and its people so special?
Is it the musicians, waiters, athletes, teachers, politicians, comedians, moms,
dads, real estate agents, non-profit workers, bar flies, gad flies or kids..? I
think that one could definitely be argued. All I know is that we see it all
because we are in fact a reflection of our community and most importantly all
the colorful characters that make up this crazy wonderful place we call home.
In turn after years of working at the one and only GrassRoots TV we have pretty
much seen and heard it all. So this portion of our Blog will be dedicated to
just that sharing with you our people: “The weirdest thing to happen at
GrassRoots TV today……”
Thursday, April 19th 11am:
Just received an email from one of our fabulous community
members and longtime supporters of GrassRoots TV informing me that and I quote:
“Been a member of the International Brotherhood of
Magicians for almost 20 years. Therefore I cannot make our meeting today because I will being doing a magic show.”
end quote.
Friday, April 20th 3:10PM
I would like to note that GRASSROOTS TV is no longer able to
receive cable just broadcast from our station only because we cannot afford to
upgrade our televisions.
Please do us a favor and if channel 12 is off the air please
call and donate to 925-8000.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Slammed in Off Season?
"Look at you bloggin". That's what my cyber-hip co-worker Ellen Winter says to me on her way out to afternoon pilates. It's Bradman, Director of the Field Production dept. here at GrassRoots TV. I've never blogged a bit in my life. And you won't find me in a one piece leotard, yoga mat in hand, trottin' over to the Rec Center. But given a choice between the two, I guess I'll try blogging. I am SLAMMED right now, though most of us are feeling the end of winter relief of off season! What, you ask, could possibly be keeping me busy at this otherwise peaceful, parking plentiful time of year in Aspen? Field production is slowing down for the off season so it's time to fix some broken stuff! As Director of the Field Production Dept. it's my responsibility (among other things) to see to it that the two tripods we have that are leaking fluid get repaired. The seals have gone on the tilt mechanisms on both of our field tripods (it happens) and need to be replaced. So I'll be sending those in, one at a time, for the $400 repair. Yep - this TV stuff is kinda 'spensive. Just got back a replacement BNC cable from Tecnec this morning FOR FREE! So even though this "TV stuff" is expensive, it is part of my job to make sure that the stuff we buy lasts. In the case of this bad cable, we bought one that has a life time guarantee so if it goes bad, we just send it back and get a free replacement. I LOVE those guys at Markertek! I wish all of our gear worked that way. hmmm- what else. Well, the JAS Band Battle is coming up in mid - May so I'll be putting together an estimate for that and starting the search for underwriters. Know anybody who wants to underwrite this production? Get in touch with me at bradman@grassrootstv.org if you do. I have some post production to do on the Chuchito Valdez show that we shot a couple of weeks ago waiting for me when I get around to it. That will be a lot of fun to work on. That is the short list of projects on my radar right now. But the thing taking up the most space on my desk right now is the post production on the 7908 festival that we shot back in March. I've got some vacation time coming up here in a couple of weeks and I really need to get this done before I take off. I am REALLY enjoying the time I get to spend on this project. It was such a cool event - I feel a HUGE responsibility to do the best possible job I can do. It has been on my mind for weeks - I am always thinking about how it will go together, how will I put it together, etc. It's for the folks at the Wheeler Opera House who, in my opinion, are total pros. So, yea, I am feeling the pressure to work extra hard to turn out an excellent product for those guys. It is work I really enjoy - one of the more fun things I get to do around here. OK - that was the last bite of my 520 Grill bison burger so it is time to end this for now. My first blog. Like it?
Friday, April 13, 2012
Aspen Women Get Baked
Forty years after after Aspen hosted a week long conference of radical women, a world renown artist wants to include their images and ideas in a new installation at the Aspen Art Museum. Simon Denny's work focuses on the deconstruction and reconstruction of post-modern cultural icons.... like GrassRoots TV!
Simon became enamored with GrassRoots' enormous community video archive, especially the rapidly deteriorating half-inch helical-scan reel-to-reel tapes from the 1970's. Most of these tapes have not been viewed in decades, and are in desperate need of restoration, archiving, cataloging... and re-airing and web posting. They are a remarkable time capsule of the Riot Years in Aspen and the dawn of community access television. Simon picked one tape, based on the label alone, to restore and include in his upcoming installation at the Aspen Art Museum.
The 1972 Women's Week in Aspen was full of radical feminism, and we have no idea what might be on this one hour tape. Could it be the infamous court-censored naked shaving video? We sent it to the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC), a really great community media center in San Francisco (think GrassRoots TV on organic steroids,) to be digitally transferred. Unfortunately, like many of the thousands of tapes in our archive, Women's Week in Aspen suffered from 'Sticky Shed Syndrome," which perhaps was one of the subjects discussed that week. Actually, water vapor can separate the magnetic recording material from the old school urethane backing, making the tape stick to itself or tape heads and pinch rollers.
So BAVC placed the tape on the center rack at about 130 degrees for eight hours. This should bake the water out for a while (about a month) so that they can then transfer the video to a hard drive and DVD, using one of the few half-inch reel-to reel-tape decks operating in the world . Then the tape will, Zombie-like, return to its decomposed state. Let's hope it works because baking twice rarely does...
More on this collaborative art project between GrassRoots TV and the Aspen Art Museum later. If you know of someone interested in contributing to our effort to bake and restore other lost moments in Aspen history, they should contact John Masters at GrassRoots TV: masters@grassrootstv.org.
Simon became enamored with GrassRoots' enormous community video archive, especially the rapidly deteriorating half-inch helical-scan reel-to-reel tapes from the 1970's. Most of these tapes have not been viewed in decades, and are in desperate need of restoration, archiving, cataloging... and re-airing and web posting. They are a remarkable time capsule of the Riot Years in Aspen and the dawn of community access television. Simon picked one tape, based on the label alone, to restore and include in his upcoming installation at the Aspen Art Museum.
The 1972 Women's Week in Aspen was full of radical feminism, and we have no idea what might be on this one hour tape. Could it be the infamous court-censored naked shaving video? We sent it to the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC), a really great community media center in San Francisco (think GrassRoots TV on organic steroids,) to be digitally transferred. Unfortunately, like many of the thousands of tapes in our archive, Women's Week in Aspen suffered from 'Sticky Shed Syndrome," which perhaps was one of the subjects discussed that week. Actually, water vapor can separate the magnetic recording material from the old school urethane backing, making the tape stick to itself or tape heads and pinch rollers.
So BAVC placed the tape on the center rack at about 130 degrees for eight hours. This should bake the water out for a while (about a month) so that they can then transfer the video to a hard drive and DVD, using one of the few half-inch reel-to reel-tape decks operating in the world . Then the tape will, Zombie-like, return to its decomposed state. Let's hope it works because baking twice rarely does...
More on this collaborative art project between GrassRoots TV and the Aspen Art Museum later. If you know of someone interested in contributing to our effort to bake and restore other lost moments in Aspen history, they should contact John Masters at GrassRoots TV: masters@grassrootstv.org.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Winter Is... Over.
Word is circulating town that SkiCo is closing the remaining mountains this weekend. Aspen Mtn. is closing on time. Highlands is not scheduled to close April 22nd. Since March was one of the driest on record, it doesn't look like the skiing will be anything more than poor to mediocre at best this weekend. I say it's a good call to close the mountains this weekend.
Since it's a "last call" for winter announcement. We'll complement the announcement with a tribute to winter with highlighting our GrassRoots TV staff produced "Ski Bum Theater".
Ski Bum Theater is one of the few shows that GrassRoots TV produces entirely on our own, with help from our underwriters 520 Grill and One Love Aspen. Sure we help others produce approximately 700 original programs each year, but we only create one series ourselves. The community produces the rest of what we air. Yes, we do operate the cameras, audio, add graphics, and music, but we don't create the content... or tell you how to create your content. That is the community's role.
Here it is, the last "Ski Bum Theater" highlight! In this show, world famous ski boot designer (and inventor of the original cork ski boot orthotic, the heated boot bag and now Zipfit boot liners) Sven Coomer discusses his participation in the first ever 1964 Innsbruck to Grenoble ski tour. Watch this classic mountain film with Sven's live narration while host Rollie Towover and the Ski Bum crew mess it up with their usual antics. Click it to watch it:
Ski Bum Theater - 'Hot Roots' with Sven Coomer and Rollie Towover
If you're thinkin' this is crap, I'm ready for summer, you should watch this video instead:
http://youtu.be/oHg5SJYRHA0
Copies of all GrassRoots Community TV programs are available to
purchase. Call us at 970-925-8000 to get a copy of this show or any
other.
Since it's a "last call" for winter announcement. We'll complement the announcement with a tribute to winter with highlighting our GrassRoots TV staff produced "Ski Bum Theater".
Ski Bum Theater is one of the few shows that GrassRoots TV produces entirely on our own, with help from our underwriters 520 Grill and One Love Aspen. Sure we help others produce approximately 700 original programs each year, but we only create one series ourselves. The community produces the rest of what we air. Yes, we do operate the cameras, audio, add graphics, and music, but we don't create the content... or tell you how to create your content. That is the community's role.
Here it is, the last "Ski Bum Theater" highlight! In this show, world famous ski boot designer (and inventor of the original cork ski boot orthotic, the heated boot bag and now Zipfit boot liners) Sven Coomer discusses his participation in the first ever 1964 Innsbruck to Grenoble ski tour. Watch this classic mountain film with Sven's live narration while host Rollie Towover and the Ski Bum crew mess it up with their usual antics. Click it to watch it:
Ski Bum Theater - 'Hot Roots' with Sven Coomer and Rollie Towover
If you're thinkin' this is crap, I'm ready for summer, you should watch this video instead:
http://youtu.be/oHg5SJYRHA0
Copies of all GrassRoots Community TV programs are available to
purchase. Call us at 970-925-8000 to get a copy of this show or any
other.
www.GrassRootsTV.org
Monday, April 9, 2012
Aspen Film - Shortsfest
Shortsfest starts tomorrow! Every year Aspen Film organizes a short-film festival. I love Shortsfest because you buy a ticket to not one but several movies. Each short is unique in its own way. Each one has been carefully chosen by the staff at Aspen Film, and they do an exceptional job.
This event takes place April 10 - 15, at different movie venues up and down the RFV. (If you haven't experienced the Crystal Theater in Carbondale, you need to!! And Shortsfest is a great excuse.)
For a full schedule visit Aspenfilm.org.
To see a show about what's happening at Shortsfest this year watch it here:
Copies of all GrassRoots Community TV programs are available to
purchase. Call us at 970-925-8000 to get a copy of this show or any
other.
This event takes place April 10 - 15, at different movie venues up and down the RFV. (If you haven't experienced the Crystal Theater in Carbondale, you need to!! And Shortsfest is a great excuse.)
For a full schedule visit Aspenfilm.org.
To see a show about what's happening at Shortsfest this year watch it here:
All Access - 'Shortsfest 2012' with Laura Thielen and George Eldred
Copies of all GrassRoots Community TV programs are available to
purchase. Call us at 970-925-8000 to get a copy of this show or any
other.
www.GrassRootsTV.org
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Kathryn Stockett - Winter Words
Kathryn Stockett recently graced Aspen with her presence. She is the author that penned the wildly popular book, "The Help".
Kathryn's appearance was a part of the Aspen Writers' Foundation: Winter Words. She spoke to a large crowd at the Wheeler Opera House. Her words were inspirational to those interested in becoming authors, as well as her triumphant story on becoming an author.
Kathryn's was first rejected by 60 literary agents before finding Susan Ramar. Susan helped Kathryn publish her book "The Help", this book has sold over 5 million copies since it's release in 2009.
She also does a Q and A with the crowd, with thoughtful responses.
If you are at all interested in watching this wonderful program click the link below to see the interview in it's entirety.
Copies of all GrassRoots Community TV programs are available to purchase. Call us at 970-925-8000 to get a copy of this show or any other.
www.GrassRootsTV.org
Kathryn's appearance was a part of the Aspen Writers' Foundation: Winter Words. She spoke to a large crowd at the Wheeler Opera House. Her words were inspirational to those interested in becoming authors, as well as her triumphant story on becoming an author.
Kathryn's was first rejected by 60 literary agents before finding Susan Ramar. Susan helped Kathryn publish her book "The Help", this book has sold over 5 million copies since it's release in 2009.
She also does a Q and A with the crowd, with thoughtful responses.
If you are at all interested in watching this wonderful program click the link below to see the interview in it's entirety.
The Aspen Writers' Foundation presents: Winter Words 2012 with Kathryn Stockett
http://grtv.me/k_stockettCopies of all GrassRoots Community TV programs are available to purchase. Call us at 970-925-8000 to get a copy of this show or any other.
www.GrassRootsTV.org
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Celebrating AVSC 75th Anniversary
Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC) just had their big 75th year celebration at Bumps restaurant at Buttermilk. The club started in the Winter of 1936, 10 years before Aspen Skiing Company was formed. They have been a progressive club from the start. Since the beginning they have produced 23 Olympians, 19 X-Games Athletes, 19 members of the Colorado Ski and
Snowboard Hall of Fame, and a large number of U.S. Ski Team
competitors and collegiate athletes.
Of course GrassRoots TV was there to capture this memorable soiree:
We'd like to thank Alpine Bank for making this filming possible!
Enjoy the show and keep up the good work AVSC!
Of course GrassRoots TV was there to capture this memorable soiree:
Alpine Bank presents: The AVSC 75th Anniversary Party at Bumps
http://grtv.me/75_avscWe'd like to thank Alpine Bank for making this filming possible!
Enjoy the show and keep up the good work AVSC!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Randy Udall
This morning on my way into work I tuned my radio into KDNK and listened to Randy Udall talk about important issues involving drilling in the Roaring Fork Valley. It is a topic that has many local citizens concerned, and for good reason.
My line of thought wandered to a recent lecture we filmed with Randy Udall as a speaker. Udall presented his latest research on natural gas development in Western Colorado and encouraged a community conversation. It was moderated by Cross Currents host Carolyne Heldman.
"CORE and ACES present: The Jessica Catto Leadership Dialogues - 'Natural Gas Development in Western Colorado: Past, Present and Future' with Randy Udall"
It can be viewed here: http://grtv.me/gas_past_present
Some background on Randy Udall, he is one of the nation's leading experts in promoting energy sustainability. His work with electric utilities and local governments has led to innovative collaborations in Colorado's energy market. Randy is also a co-founder of Association for the Study of Peak Oil - USA and a former director of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency.
My line of thought wandered to a recent lecture we filmed with Randy Udall as a speaker. Udall presented his latest research on natural gas development in Western Colorado and encouraged a community conversation. It was moderated by Cross Currents host Carolyne Heldman.
"CORE and ACES present: The Jessica Catto Leadership Dialogues - 'Natural Gas Development in Western Colorado: Past, Present and Future' with Randy Udall"
It can be viewed here: http://grtv.me/gas_past_present
Some background on Randy Udall, he is one of the nation's leading experts in promoting energy sustainability. His work with electric utilities and local governments has led to innovative collaborations in Colorado's energy market. Randy is also a co-founder of Association for the Study of Peak Oil - USA and a former director of the Community Office for Resource Efficiency.
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