September 2003 off camera Website: www.emmysf.tv recall election tops news coverage “war and peace” forum 9/24 kgo Coverage of the and of the anti-war protests here at home will be the topic of this month’s Television Academy seminar. The “War and Peace” forum is at 7 pm on Wednesday, September 24th at ABC-7, 900 Front Street, San Francisco. ADAM HOUSLEY of and the San Francisco Chronicle’s JOHN KOOPMAN will discuss their experiences as embed- ded reporters in Iraq. War coverage veter- ans REESE ERLICH and NORMAN SOLOMAN also will be on the panel. Also, several journalists who covered the peace Photo © KTVU FOX 2 Kenny Wardell marches will provide perspective on those demonstrations and on the activists’ atti- The recall election is making history in voters who may not have even been regis- tudes toward the media. ABC-7 ANCHOR California and it’s making news at Northern tered to vote,” said Keeshan. DAN ASHLEY will moderate. California television stations. The October 7th referendum on Gray Davis’ performance A block away, KPIX-TV is also hitting the FREE to Academy members, $10 for non- has been a lead story almost daily through story hard. The station’s political editor, members, refreshments will be provided. August and early September. It’s also creat- HANK PLANTE, reports on the recall al- Please RSVP to [email protected] or ing a windfall of campaign ad revenue at a most daily, as does night side reporter, ROZ (650) 341-7786. time when TV stations are looking for extra PLATER. The CBS O&O uses its “Eyewit- cash. ness Poll” to gauge voters’ reactions. The station’s weekend morning news also in- emmy changes ? “This is a highly unusual, historic develop- vited dozens of “minor” candidates with se- There may be three “best newscast” cat- ment,” said KEVIN KEESHAN, news direc- rious platforms to appear on its program. egories at next year’s Emmy show. At its tor at ABC-7 in San Francisco. Like other Several showed in August and four candi- August meeting, the Northern California stations, ABC-7 has been going full throttle dates are booked for September weekends. NATAS Board of Governors voted to recom- on the story since it became apparent this KPIX also teamed up with KCBS radio and mend a “three-tier” structure for the next summer the recall initiative would qualify the San Francisco Chronicle to add extra Emmy competition. The proposal must be for the ballot. KGO has assigned several depth to its coverage. That strategy paid off approved by the Television Academy’s na- reporters to the story and hired a San Fran- th AugustPhoto 26© Robert when Mohr Governor 2003 (415-647-6647) Davis attended tional awards committee. If OK’d, the news- cisco State political science professor as a “town hall” meeting at KPIX studios spon- cast categories would be: an expert commentator. The station also sored by the media trio. An audience of 100 • Large market (Bay Area and Sacramento) has recruited 5,000 people from its website queried the governor while 34 reporters took •Medium market (Fresno, Hawaii & Reno) to participate in polls and focus groups. notes. KPIX plans to air an hour-long spe- •Small market (Salinas/Monterey, Chico/ “The recall has energized a generation of continued on page 4 Redding & Eureka) continued on page 2 Off Camera, September 2003, page 1 emmy changes ? tech forum this month continued from page 1 Several Bay Area professional organizations clude high-definition television, personal The “best newscast” would be the only cat- are hosting a discussion this month of new video recorders and “video on demand” egory broken into tiers. Under national rules, technology and its impact on the television technology. industry. The three-hour “Emerging Tech- the other categories must remain the same. The moderator is MICHAELA PERIERA, Board members said the three tiers will pro- nologies Forum” is Thursday, Septem- th co-host of TechTV’s “Tech Live.” On the vide sharper competition between Fresno, ber 18 , at the Expression Center for New Media, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. panel are: JOSH BERNOFF of Forrester Hawaii and Reno in the middle market. Research; SCOTT BINDER of SVO Opera- The evening begins at 6 with cocktails, hors They said it will also give smaller markets a tions; SUSAN CASHEN of TiVo Inc.; TRACI d’oeuvres and a tour, with the discussion better chance for a “best newscast” Emmy. ECKELS of KQED; and JIM POWELL of beginning at 7. The other big change is allowing commer- NBC Entertainment. The event is sponsored by American cials to enter for the first time. They must Tickets are $20 for members of the spon- Women in Radio & Television (AWRT), the be between :05 and 2:00, no informercials soring organizations, $25 for non-members. National Association of Minorities in Com- or program-length commercials are al- Call (415) 561-9229 for more information. lowed. There were minor changes to other munications (NAMIC) and Women in Cable rules and categories. & Telecommunications. Topics will in- join the new media SILVER CIRCLE committee 10/15 Wednesday, October 15th from 7-9 p.m. at inducation 10/25 the Sony Metreon’s The 2003 Class of the NATAS Silver Circle Action Theatre. This will be inducted at a luncheon on Satur- will be the first meeting day, October 25, 2003 at the Radisson of our New Media Miyako Hotel in San Francisco. Cock- Committee. The gath- NTA Board retreat lunch at the Casablanca tails at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon followed ering will focus on Restaurant, on the Beach in Santa Cruz by the induction ceremony. The inductees Broadband/VOD, with a panel of represen- names will be announced in next month’s The decision came at an all-day retreat for tatives from companies like TiVo, “Off Camera.” Formal invitations will be sent board members held August 16th in Santa Enjoyweb.com, iVast and others. KEVIN in October. NTA governor, RON LOUIE is Cruz. The board also welcomed new mem- HAUSE, VP, Screen Digest will be the mod- the Silver Circle committee chair. bers, discussed a proposed $230,000 bud- erator. More information next month. get for the coming fiscal year, and laid out the next nine months of chapter activities. foot in the door workshop 11/1 at KPIX-TV in San Francisco. Refresh- creature features ments and lunch will be provided. The September Co-sponsors are the National Association rd 23 Broadcast of Television Programming Executives Legends luncheon (NATPE) and the Television Academy. will salute “Creature Features.” Former NATPE co-founder LEW KLEIN will mod- hosts of the KTVU erate. The program is free to Bay Area col- “Creature Feature” lege telecommunications students, how- program BOB ever, pre-registration will be required. Check NAPTE workshop at Loyola Marymount your October Off Camera for further details WILKINS and JOHN STANLEY will be on University, LEW KLEIN at the podium hand to show clips and tell stories. and the names of panelists. Recent college graduates working in TV The luncheon will be held at the Bay Bridge will reveal the secrets of how they ‘scored’ Silver Circle member DICK BLOCK, Block Holiday Inn, Emeryville, 11:30 a.m. recep- their jobs, at the upcoming career work- Communications Group, is producting the tion, 12 noon, lunch followed by the pro- shop. The seminar will be held on Satur- event with the help of NTA board member gram. www.broadcastlegends.com day, November 1st, from 8am to 1:30 p.m. PAT PATTON, Young Broadcasting/KRON.. Off Camera, September2003, page 2 newscast premiers on kbhk war correspondent building in San Francisco. Under the new schedule, the news airs Saturday mornings cerre join sf bureau from 7 to 8 on KPIX and from 8 to 9:30 on KBHK. On Sunday mornings, it’s on KPIX from 7:30 to 8:30 and on KBHK from 8:30 to 9:30. The new newscast is called “CBS 5 Eye- witness News on UPN 44.” SYDNIE KOHARA and RON JONES anchor both shows. The programs share the same field The Bay Area’s UPN station finally has a reporter and some news stories, but differ- newscast, even though it has no news de- ent guests and packages run on the KBHK An ABC News reporter who covered the war partment. KBHK (UPN 44) began broad- show. There are still bugs to work out. On in Iraq has joined that network’s San Fran- casting a weekend morning news show on some Saturdays, the control room crew has cisco bureau as a correspondent. September 6th. The program is actually only five seconds to switch stations. MICHAEL CERRE will report for ABC News an extension of the weekend morning news- The KPIX shows have done well in the rat- from his new location. cast that KPIX (CBS 5) launched last Janu- ings, and advertising sales are healthy. It’s ary. hoped the expanded newscast will do the Cerre was “embedded” with U.S Marines Both stations are owned by Viacom and same for KBHK, which is lagging in ad rev- during the Iraq conflict. His combat experi- broadcast from the same Battery Street enue this year ences were the subject of an hour-long broadcast on ABC News’ “PrimeTime.” offers five new digial channels changes in fresno KQED-TV has gone digital in a big way. In widescreen PBS programs; July, the San Francisco PBS station con- • KQED Encore (Comcast 189), featuring verted from an NTSC analog master con- popular PBS primetime programs; trol system to all digital. The new equip- • KQED World (Comcast 190), providing ment allows KQED to cablecast five pro- history, nature and science programming; grams simultaneously, in addition to its • KQED Life (Comcast 191), showcasing broadcast NTSC and high-definition televi- arts, entertainment, food, gardening, travel It hasn’t taken long for KGPE-TV’s new boss sion signals. The station was quick to take and money management; and to make her presence felt. In June, DIANA advantage of its new technology. • KQED Kids (Comcast 192), airing pro- WILKIN-ZAPATA took over as the Fresno grams for children. Last month KQED premiered five new cable CBS affiliate’s VP/General Manager, replac- channels, each with unique programming. ing BARRY BARTH. “This is an incredible opportunity for KQED The channels are available on Comcast as a leader and innovator within public Last month she fired news director TOM digital cable. They are: broadcasting and the Bay Area community,” BURKE, in what could be the first of many • KQED HD (Comcast 188) offering a vari- said JEFF CLARKE, the station’s president. changes. Wilkin-Zapata told the Fresno ety of high-definition (HDTV) and Bee she is determined to revamp Channel 47. The Clear Channel-owned station, for- new faces at kgo merly KJEO, has been mired in low ratings for years. It’s also undergone several own- BOB GOLDBERGER has been named ex- ership and management changes. But ecutive producer of the 11pm News for Wilkin-Zapata said viewers should begin to DEBRA PREITKIN has been named topi- KGO-TV. Bob was the news director at see marked improvement in KGPE’s news. KNTV in San Jose for three years. He also cal promotion producer for KGO-TV. Debra served as assistant news director at WBBH held the same job at KGW in Portland, OR. JIM HOLLAND, from KAKE-TV in Wichita and WZVN in Ft. Meyers, FL. Bob has been She has worked at KGET, Bakersfield; has just been named the new news direc- an investigative reporter and capital corre- KEYT, Santa Barbara; KOAT, Albuquerque; tor. He has also worked in Dallas, Syra- spondent for WBRZ, Baton Rouge, LA. as well as KOMO and KING in Seattle cuse, and Albany. Off Camera, September 2003, page 3 governor recall - the big story bavc scholarships continued from page 1 Stations in the state capital, naturally, are cial on the issues and hopes to sponsor at focused on the recall as well. Besides air- least one live candidates’ debate. “It’s a ing the KTVU-sponsored forum, KXTV will huge story for us,” said KPIX news director broadcast a September 17th candidates’ The San Francisco-based Bay Area Video DAN ROSENHEIM. debate at Sacramento State. The ABC af- Coalition (BAVC) is offering scholarships to filiate has assigned a reporter to each ma- KTVU in Oakland echoes the sentiment. help low income adults enhance their digi- jor candidate, and they’re also doing “truth As Off Camera goes to press the Fox affili- tal video production skills. The classes, tests” on campaign ads. “Our philosophy is ate is planning a September 3rd forum on which begin October 1st, will be taught on to treat this story as we would any other sig- the recall election co-sponsored with cutting edge production, post-production, nificant political process in the state,” said KQED-FM and the Contra Costa Times. The and digital design equipment KXTV news director RON COMINGS. two-hour “Race to the Recall” will feature “While we have not devoted time to most of Qualified San Francisco residents can ap- discussion of the recall issue with the top the 134 candidates, our mission is to take ply for “Digital Directions” scholarships to six gubernatorial candidates. The event is real issues to the significant candidates and help pay for the courses. Applicants must to be broadcast live on KTVU and on KXTV get answers, instead of simply reacting to agree to take 156 or 320 hours of training in Sacramento, and fed to other stations every campaign maneuver.” over a six to eight-month period. For more throughout the state. information, contact Samantha Wayne at KTXL-40 in Sacramento is also providing Spanish-language KDTV has been report- (415) 558-2195, or you can download daily coverage on the recall. The Fox affili- ing on the recall for months. The San Fran- an application at www.bavc.org ate planned to re-broadcast the KTVU fo- cisco-based Univision O&O has set up a rum from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. later that website and a telephone hotline for voters night . It also is teaming up with its sister and viewers. Its on-going coverage in- stations in and San Diego for cludes profiles of the major candidates and election night coverage. “We’ll provide de- their platforms. KDTV has also teamed up tailed coverage of the election in these final on-line with KUVS in Sacramento, KFTV in Fresno weeks,” said KTXL news director STEVE and other California stations, to expand its documentary KRAYCIK, “but we’re careful to not over reach. “Our news philosophy is to em- KQED-TV has produced a five-part docu- saturate our newscast with it. There’s a power people through accurate and thor- mentary on migration to California that’s danger in people getting ‘turned off’ be- ough information and to encourage them available only on the internet. The series, cause they feel they’re tired of seeing ‘all to participate in this important democratic called “i5,” was created by KQED Interac- recall, all the time.’” But for other stations, process,” said ALBERTO LARIOS, KDTV tive. It examines the journeys of five recent there may not be any such thing as “too executive producer. arrivals to California. much recall.” Each story is on a different web site. • “TracyTimesTwo.com” is about a young norcal rtnda convention & Vietnamese woman who now lives in Or- ange County. awards oct. 17-19 • “AskDoctorChu.com” chronicles the ex- The NorCal RTNDA board “Meet the General Managers,” “Talent perience of a Peruvian-born Chinese aca- of directors is finalizing Coaching,” “Visual Story Telling,” and “An- demic who came here from Canada. plans for the 22nd Annual chors Away.” • “BeigeOatmeal.com” details the life of an NorCal RTNDA Conven- One-on-One tape critiques are offered to African-America MBA from New York who’s tion and Awards. The event will take place full time registrants; students attend at ½ adapting to suburban San Diego. the weekend of October 17-19. The loca- prices and will have a group critique ses- • “MujerCatolica.com” is the tale of a Mexi- tion will be finalized this week. sion. can farm worker’s wife living in Salinas. The program starts Friday evening with a • “Sexilio.com” is an adult-oriented site The awards banquet will be held Saturday reception followed by “A Foot in the Door,” whose subject is a transgender Cuban refu- evening with pre and post cocktail parties. how to get that first job and climb the mar- gee now living in San Francisco. A social activity is planned for Sunday. ket ladder. The “i5” documentary was produced by Full information will be posted at Saturday is a full day of seminars including: JOSE MARQUEZ. The segment produc- www.norcalrtnda.com or call 650-341- “From the Recall to the White House,” “In- ers were BEN BENJAMIN, JAIME 9978. vestigative Reporting,” “Tough Decisions,” CORTEZ and ENRIQUE JIMENEZ. Off Camera, September 2003, page 4 cinema club cinema club cinema club sacramento new san francisco 9/8 place & time sacramento 9/20 The latest Sacramento Cinema offering drew a dozen viewers last month. The film, shown at the Regal Theater in the Natomas Mall, was “Seabiscuit.” To help beef up attendance, the movie has moved from Monday nights to weekends. This month “Open Range.” The movie is FREE to any NATAS member and a guest. 9/26 bay area

Five local film organizations will present: “Media Mash: A Monstrous Bay Area HARVEY PEKAR, the hilariously downtrod- Mediamakers Mixer.” The event will bring den Cleveland comic book artist, is the sub- local video and filmmakers together for an ject of AMERICAN SPLENDOR, titled af- Western 2 hours, 15 minutes informational networking event on Friday, ter Pekar’s autobiographical series. Played MPAA Rating: R for Violence. September 26, 7:30-10:30 p.m. by actor PAUL GIAMATTI, Pekar also ap- Starring: KEVIN COSTNER, ANNETTE pears as himself, giving the film a docu- In addition to learning about the wide range BENING, ABRAHAM BENRUBI, ROB- mentary feeling with many behind-the- of resources available to local indepen- ERT DUVALL & MICHAEL GAMBON. scenes on-set shots. dents, makers are invited to view new, lo- Directed by: KEVIN COSTNER. cally produced work in a curated one-hour Screenwriters: CRAIG STORPER & Directors SHARI SPRINGER BERMAN program that will repeat throughout the night. LAURAN PAINE. and ROBERT PULCINI maintain this bal- The evening also includes projections, DJ Producers: JAKE EBERTS, KEVIN ance between the actors and the real-life music, and door prizes, including free mem- COSTNER, DAVID VALDES & CRAIG characters—Pekar’s wife Joyce and co- berships from presenting organizations. STORPER worker Toby also appear on set as them- Light refreshments and drinks (no-host, Following the day-to-day encounters of four selves—while crafting a funny, difficult, cash bar) will be served. cattle herders who roam the countryside heartwarming tale that encapsulates without owning a particular piece of land, Pekar’s life, work, and uniquely bizarre per- The event takes place at Bay Area Video or “freegrazers” (Costner, Duvall, Luna, spectives. Coalition, 2727 Mariposa Street in San Benrubi), living in the final years of the Wild Francisco. Admission is $5; volunteer op- Drama & Animation: 1 hour, 40 minutes West, this film tells the story of how they even- MPAA Rating: R for Language. portunities are available and no one will be tually team up to rid a burgeoning remote turned away for lack of funds. town, Harmonville, from the machinations Written by: SHARI SPRINGER BERMAN, The presenting organizations include: The of a ruthlessly evil rancher, Baxter BOB PULCINI, ROBERT PULCINI, Association for Independent Video and (Gambon), who forms a sort of “outlaw state” HARVEY PEKAR & JOYCE BRABNER. Film; The Bay Area Film Alliance: Bay where he makes the laws and rules, and Produced by: TED HOPE. Area Video Coalition ; Bay Area Women enforces them using scare tactics and brute The CINEMA CLUB is a FREE first run in Film and Television; and the Film Arts force. monthly screening (second Monday) for Foundation. You may contact the indi- Meet your NATAS representative in the lobby NATAS, DGA and AWRT members who may vidual organizations for more information. of the Regal Theatres @ Natomas Mar- bring a guest. The private viewing is at the Always check our website ketplace, 3561 Truxel Road, Sacramento Delancey Street Screening Room, 600 (Off I80). Networking at noon, the film starts The Embarcadero, San Francisco. Re- www.emmysf.tv at 12:30 p.m. FREE to NATAS members freshments & Networking 7 p.m., movie 7:30 for the latest information who may bring a guest. p.m. Seating limited to first 146 to arrive. Off Camera, September 2003, page 5

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www.emmysf.tv website: website:

[email protected] e-mail: e-mail:

fax: (650) 372-0279 (650) fax:

(650) 341-7786 4317 Camden Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403-5007 CA Mateo, San Avenue, Camden 4317 341-7786 (650) (415) 777-0212 (415)

the board of governors officers: something to ‘bragg’ about DAVID MILLS, KPIX, President LYNN R FRIEDMAN,KGO, VP,San Francisco There may be noth- KEITH SANDERS, KICU, VP, San Jose paid program- GEORGE FRANCO,KOVR, VP Sacramento ing obviously spe- ming, plus His- JEFF CARDINALE, KFSN, VP, Fresno cial about Fort DAVID RATTO, KTVN/ImageSync, VP, Reno panic TV shows Bragg, a commu- PAMELA YOUNG, KITV, VP, Hawaii from KTNC, the MICHELE BALL, KBWB WB20, Secretary nity placed located Concord Azteca JIM SPALDING, Spalding & Co., Treasurer(Finance) along Highway One station. national trustees: about midway be- JAMES LAUTZ, Tudor Communications tween San Fran- The station has CYNTHIA ZEIDEN, Zeiden Media (Activities) cisco and Eureka. only one em- governors: But the Mendocino ployee. ROBBIE DAN ADAMS, KXTV 10 DAN ASHLEY, KGO ABC 7 County town has ROBINSON, a BRIAN AVERY, KTLN 68 something Willits, former news an- JOHN CATCHINGS, ITN/MediaOne (Museum) Ukiah, Leggett and chor there, now is ALBERT GARCIA, KUVS Univision 19 ALISON GIBSON, Media Cool (Education) Sea Ranch can’t boast – its own television KFWU’s office manager. STEWART HELLER, York Productions station. ADAM HOUSLEY, FOX News Since Ft. Bragg is officially part of the Bay ASHLEY JAMES, KTOP Cable 10(Publicity) Fort Bragg is the home of KFWU, Channel Area’s demographic area, it’s in the RON LOUIE, KTVU FOX 2 8 to the locals. Since its “birth” in the early TERRY LOWRY,LaCosse Productions country’s number five market, believe it or DEANNE MOENSTER, KTVU FOX 2 1970’s it has been re-broadcasting the sig- not, instead of the 190th market occupied JOHN MURRAY, JM Communications nal from the ABC station in Redding, KRCR- by Eureka. SHARON NAVRATIL, KTVU FOX 2 TV. Before cable, that was quite a plus for JOHN ODELL, City College of San Francisco ROSS PALOMBO, KRON 4 the citizens of Fort Bragg. PAT PATTON, Young/KRON (Membership) “off camera” ERIK ROSALES, KGPE 47 But eight years ago the station’s ownership Send us your stories; “Off Camera” is al- TERRI RUSSELL, KOLO 8 changed and so did its programming. ABC ways looking for news of our industry to share HEATHER SEARLES, ITVS (KGO-TV) was available on cable, so the with our members, especially from markets DAMIAN TRUJILLO, KNTV, NBC 11 JAVIER VALENCIA, KRON 4 (Awards) new owners decided to re-broadcast the outside the Bay Area. E-mail us at: KIRA VILANOVA, KDTV 14 (Publicity) programming from another of its stations, [email protected]. STUART YAMANE, Independent KTNC, Channel 42 in Concord. RICK ZANARDI, Notre Dame de Namur University Add us to your PR mailing list: committee chairs That set off a storm of protest. Fort Bragg Off Camera DARRYL COHEN, Cohen & Cooper ( Legal Counsel) citizens, used to their own ABC affiliate, 4317 Camden Avenue LINDA GIANNECCHINI, KQED9 (Museum) flooded the KFWU switchboard. There San Mateo, CA 94403-5007 exective director were even bomb threats. Eventually, the The editorial deadline is the 22nn of each DARRYL COMPTON, NATAS, SF/NorCal furor died down. KFWU now runs mostly month.. Off Camera, September 2003, page 6