HRSR MEMORANDUM 08-27-2001 • .J1.1
City of
Elk -,-
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Developme�
DATE: August 27, 2001
SUBJECT: Preparation for Cablecast of August 27, 2001 Meeting
Beginning August 27, 2001 the regular meetings of the HRA will be cablecast on ERtV.
The Cable Producer has requested that HRA commissioners arrive 15-minutes prior to the
start of the regular meeting so she may provide a short in-service and answer any questions
• you may have.
Please plan to arrive by 4:45 p.m. on Monday evening.
Attached is helpful information the Cable Producer has provided for your review.
City of
Elk
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Cathy Mehelich
FROM: Kristin M. Thomas, Government Access Cable Producer
DATE: July 25, 2001
SUBJECT: Cablecasting of HRA Meetings
As we discussed before, ERtV will begin cablecasting the HRA meetings live in August.
Replays of meetings will air on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 am. I am really excited about
this. Now that HRA is signing up I think we have every board,council,and commission on
air. I have attached seven copies of Communication/TV tips for the HRA members to
review. It would be nice to schedule a quick in service prior to the August meeting just to go
over the information in the attached article and to answer any questions they may have. Let
• me know if you would like to schedule that.
•
City of Elk River
III
Cable Channel 12
Communication Tips for Television
It is important for every- good posture.
one participating in live and In general, avoid wearing
:1,-N(
• Always assume your taped meetings to have a checks, stripes, and other ,,,
on camera knowledge of television dos busy patterns. These tend to
• Sit up straight and don'ts. The following is "vibrate" on television. StayM'<
a modified article which awayfrom horizontal stripes,• Wear television p
friendlyclothingeared in the Minnesota dark muted colors, or plain
• Be aware of how you Cities April 2000 issue writ- white shirts or jackets (A -1
sound ten by Cindie Ryan and white shirt underneath a col-
Heather Morris, who are ex- ored jacket is fine). Clean, Assume you are always on
• Assume your micro- camera
phone is always on perts in city communications. simple colors work well. And
. Be aware that if The purpose of cablecast- try to avoid wearing clothes
someone does not ing city council and other that match the color of the
have a mike,they can meetings is to improve coin- council chamber chairs. derstood language. Avoid
not be heard munication with the commu- Other tips for television jargon, clever twists, and in-
• Your microphone nity. When residents are well include staying alert physi- dustry; language. Be precise,
should be placed 4" informed,they can participate Cally, even when you aren't concise, and comprehensive.
to 5' below your
chin in the middle of more effectively in their gov- talking. Don't watch the In conversation, ask ques-
your chest ernment and make better de- monitor. Ignore cameras and tons, listen to answers, and
• Give introductions visions on matters impacting people moving in the cham- follow up.
to videos their families. The tips and ber. Lean forward slightly in Always be yourself. This
• Remember to raise suggestions below are de- your chair and don't swivel is the most important thing
your head and ad- signed to reduce obstacles to about. Rest your hands natu- to achieve and, surprisingly,
dress the council clear, accurate communica- rally on the desk. At all costs can be the most difficult. Be
during presentations tion with your citizen audi- avoid leaning on your hands willing to be introspective
• Conduct run- ence via television. or putting them in front of and to change what can be
throughs of presen-
tations that use au- Camera Presence. The your face. changed, and to accept the
dio/video enhance- camera sees all. Always as- General Communica- rest.
ments surne you are on camera and tion Tips. Be aware of the Microphones. Assume
• Help others be heard behave accordingly. The way you sound. Often the your microphone is always
camera accentuates every way we say something comes on. Microphones are very
mannerism, good or bad. off more strongly than the sensitive; every tsk, sigh,
Sit up straight. Good pos- message. Avoid speaking in cough, sneeze, and whispered
ture projects confidence. monotone. Learn how to comment will be heard.
Some council chamber chairs analyze the way you sound to When applauding,move your
III have a tendency to make peo- others. Listen to council re- hands to the side so you're
ple too comfortable, so make plays without watching. not clapping directly into the
a conscious effort to maintain Use simple and easily un- microphone.
IIICommunication Tips
Always Speak into the mi- maps and other visuals make a
crophone. Speak in your nor- conscious effort to raise your
It
mal manner at a moderate head and address the council
N3/4
sound level. numerous times during the
Don't ask questions once presentation. This will avoid an
people have left the lectern and abundance of"top of the head"
gone back to their seats. Ask shots.
speakers to return to the microHandling on-air audio
phone, or direct the wireless
handheld microphone be given visual problems. Use humor
to the person you will be adou
and stay calm. On major video rcan be heake surea d
dressing, and then ask your and slide presentations, conduct
run-throughs and take great
question. Remember, even
though you and the rest of the care to ensure a smooth presen-
chamber audience can hear,that talion. This is `five" television
doesn't mean the sound is and occasional sound and/or
video problems will occur when
reaching the home audience.
Microphone Placement. you are on-air. Staff should be Place the microphone
The microphones need to be available to solve the problem 4"to S'belowyour
approximately 4" to 5" under and you should continue con-
410 your chin and clipped directly in ducting the meeting. chin, in the middle of
Help others be beard.
the middle of your chest to your chest. Attach
your tie or shirt. Keep this in Many speakers tend to just start
mind when choosing clothing talking without paying attention it to your tie or shirt
on meeting days. A shirt that to the microphone. If you no-
does not button up would have tice the microphone is off to
to gather material in the center the side, or the speaker has
and place the clip there. We turned away,redirect the person
want to avoid placing micro- back to the mike. A momen
phones on the lapels of jacketstar
'interruption is preferable to
because if you turn your head in not hearing the person.
the opposite direction of the Citizens may also turn
mike to address someone the around to direct comments to
quality of the audio dramatically the council, board, or commis
decreases. If you have no other sion Sometimes they even walk
choice but to place it on a lapel, to the dais to pass out informs
put it on the side that your head tion. If they are speaking dur-
will be turned to most often. ing any of these times, the
Presentations. Remember home audience will not hear
them. Encourage speakers to
to do an introduction to a video return to the microphone to
or slides to avoid an uncom complete their comments.
fortable silence. When showing
•
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