Brooklyn Free Speech TV

Brooklyn Free Speech TV provides all Brooklynites with access to studio facilities, equipment, training and channel time, making it possible for them to take their message to millions of their neighbors (and people all over the world via the Internet). Free Speech TV currently cablecasts over 500 unique programs each week, echoing Brooklyn's own rich diversity in range.

BFSTV FAQ

How do I air a show on the BCAT TV Network?

All programs on the BCAT TV Network must have a Brooklyn-based Program Applicant.

The Program Applicant is the Brooklyn resident (18 years or older) or organization submitting a program for cablecast on BCAT.

The Program Applicant accepts liability for the content of the program and responsibility for turning in tapes.

To apply for a timeslot, you'll need to complete a BCAT New Time Slot Application Form [PDF] and provide BCAT with a current government-issued photo I.D. (NYS Driver's license or non-driver's license; U.S. or Foreign Passport; U.S. Military ID card; or Resident Alien Card) AND a recent utility bill (no older than 2 months) in your name and address (telephone bill, land-line only; gas; electric; cable; or satellite dish). You can apply for a special timeslot any time of the year or a monthly, Sunday bi-weekly, or weekly timeslot by the quarterly deadline.

When applying (or re-applying) for a new weekly, monthly, or Sunday bi-weekly time slot, you'll need to submit finished episodes with your application:

New weekly series must submit four (4) installments with the application.
New Sunday bi-weekly shows must submit three (3) installments the application.
New monthly programs must submit one (1) installment with the application.

If you are interested in using the BCAT Media Center facilities to produce programs, you must also become a BCAT Certified Community Producer by successfully complete a BCAT production workshop. You do not need to become a Certified Producer in order to air a show.

How soon will my program air on the BCAT TV Network?

The BCAT TV Network changes its cablecast schedule every three months for all weekly and monthly series. To be considered for either a weekly or monthly timeslot, all sponsors must submit programs and a completed BCAT New Time Slot Application Form [PDF] by the following deadlines:

Winter (January-March) from the last Sunday in September to the last Friday in October
Spring (April-June) from the last Sunday in December to the last Friday in January
Summer (July-September) from the last Sunday in March to the last Friday in April
Fall (October-December) from the last Sunday in June to the last Friday in July.

We also accept specials, one-time cablecasts of a program, throughout the year. You can download the form [PDF] you'll need in order to submit your special from the website.

How long can programs be?

All series and specials programs must be no longer than 28 minutes in length.

What videotape formats are acceptable?

We only accept S-VHS (slow speed only), BetaSP, DV, MiniDV, DVCAM, and DVCPRO. No other formats will be accepted.

How many programs can I air on the BCAT TV Network?

Each program sponsor can have only one (1) time slot per quarter. You can also apply for a special but the program you submit must be significantly different than the program currently airing.

How do I go about airing a special on the BCAT TV Network?

Specials & programs submitted for a one-time airing ó can be submitted by a Brooklyn resident or Brooklyn-based organization any time during the year. Simply bring your tape, a completed application, a current government-issued photo I.D. (NYS Driver's license or non-driver's license; U.S. or Foreign Passport; U.S. Military ID card; or Resident Alien Card) AND a recent utility bill (no older than 2 months) in your name and address (telephone bill, land-line only; gas; electric; water; cable; or satellite dish) and we'll schedule your show for cablecast on the BCAT TV Network, usually within the next two weeks.

How many specials can I submit?

Series sponsors can submit one (1) special per quarter. Those without a series can submit up to four (4) specials per quarter.

How often can I repeat my program on the BCAT TV Network?

In order to keep your timeslot, you must submit at least nine (9) unique programs each quarter for a weekly show; five (5) unique programs for a Sunday bi-weekly program; and at least two (2) unique programs for a monthly show. This means that weekly programs can repeat no more than four (4) episodes during the programming quarter; monthly and Sunday bi-weekly programs can repeat only one (1) episode.

Special programs are scheduled to air only once. However, we reserve the right to repeat the program as filler programming as long as the program is in the BCAT program library. (Programs will not be given a repeat time-slot during the same week.)

How can I use the BCAT Media Center's equipment and studios to produce my show?

In order to use the BCAT Media Center's equipment and/or studios, you first need to become a BCAT Certified Community Producer. The first step is to attend a free Orientation, offered twice monthly. After attending an orientation session, you can make reservations to participate in one or more of BCAT's training workshops. After successfully completing one of our production workshops, you will become a Certified Producer and can use the BCAT facilities and equipment in which you were trained at no cost to produce your own program. If you wish to enroll in a training class at the Orientation session, you'll need to bring a current government-issued photo I.D. (NYS Driver's license or non-driver's license; U.S. or Foreign Passport; U.S. Military ID card; or Resident Alien Card) AND a recent utility bill (no older than 2 months) in your name and address (telephone bill, land-line only; gas; electric; cable; or satellite dish) with you to Orientation.

Where can I get more information?

If you would like more information you can download a copy of the BCAT Policy & Procedure Handbook at BCAT [PDF].

How To Become a BCAT Certified Community Producer

In order to use the BCAT Media Center's equipment and the facilities at the BCAT Media Center, you will need to become a BCAT Certified Community Producer. To become a BCAT Certified Community Producer, follow these 3 easy steps:

STEP 1: Orientation

Brooklyn’s Center for Media Education’s Orientations and Workshops offers monthly Orientation sessions that give an overview of our policies and procedures. The Orientation is a pre-requisite for all individuals and organizations wishing to attend a BCAT Workshop in order to use the BCAT Media Center's facilities and equipment to produce their program, regardless of production experience. [Please note: You only need to attend an orientation if you wish to use the BCAT Media Center's equipment equipment to produce a show. It is NOT a prerequisite to airing a show if you plan to use your own equipment.] Click here for a list of upcoming orientation dates.

STEP 2: Workshops

Complete either the Basic Field Production and Editing Workshop or the Basic Television Studio Workshop

After attending an Orientation session, you can make reservations to participate in one or more of BCAT's training workshops. Workshops are offered on weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays. The cost of BCAT's basic workshops - which result in becoming a BCAT-certified producer who is eligible to use our facilities free of charge to produce programs for cablecast on BCAT - is $98. Please visit our section on media education for a listing of other workshops and courses available. Reservations can be made throughout the year. Spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you wish to enroll in a training class at the Orientation session, you'll need to bring a current government-issues photo I.D. (NYS Driver's license or non-driver's license; U.S. or Foreign Passport; U.S. Military ID card; or Resident Alien Card) AND a recent utility bill (no older than 2 months) in your name and address (telephone bill, land-line only; gas; electric; water; cable; or satellite dish) with you to Orientation. If you do not have a utility bill in your name you will need to have a special form notarized (available from the public equipment department at BCAT) and have the person in whose name the utility bill appears come with you to BCAT with their photo I.D. and a copy of the bill.

Space in most workshops is limited to maximize individualized instruction. If a workshop is fully enrolled, BCAT will place your name next in line for the first available workshop. If you have enrolled for a workshop but cannot attend, please notify BCAT at least two weeks in advance. Your enrollment will be transferred to the next available workshop and your fee will be applied to that workshop. If you fail to notify BCAT at least two weeks in advance your registration fee will not be refunded.

STEP 3: Certified Producers

After successfully completing one of our production workshops, you will be granted BCAT Certified Community Producer status. BCAT Certified Community Producers are able to use the BCAT Media Center's facilities and equipment at no cost to produce their own programs. After completion of an applicable workshop BCAT Certified Community Producers have access to the equipment and facilities covered in the workshop only if it results in a program that will be shown on BCAT. You must have a timeslot assigned to you — either a special, monthly, weekly or Sunday bi-weekly timeslot — in order to use the equipment. In order to maintain your certification you must abide by the rules and regulations as printed in the handbook. Television Studio Certified Producers must volunteer on four shoots (other than their own show) each calendar year; Field/Non-Linear Editing Certified Producers must produce at least one show per calendar year. In addition, you will be asked to resubmit proof of residency and photo ID at least once per calendar year.