PROGRAMME DIRECTOR'S REPORT for the BoD Meeting 25 Sep 2003 Laurel Paluck, Programme Director Pre-season Programming began 01 Sep 03 (we were broadcasting approximately 7:30am-10pm Monday through Friday, 7am-10pm on Saturday and 2pm-10pm Sunday). Deadline for programme proposals was Friday 12 Sep 03 at noon. By the deadline, 90 proposals were submitted and 10 proposals were submitted late. Added to this are 4 Specials. To date, 104 proposals have been received. Comparing with the previous year, by 30 Sept 2002, 66 proposals were submitted by the deadline and 16 submitted late. Proposal Review Committee members were Joel Buxton, Emily McClung, Miriam Stucky, Jasmine Courneya, Andrea Penrod, Kristine Williams, Jenny Scott, Nick Iszakovits, Jill Staveley, and Laurel Paluck - for a total of 10 (In September 2002, there were 11 committee members). The Proposal Review Committee met at Trent Radion House at 2pm on Sunday 14 Sep 03, and by 6pm all proposals were reviewed with notes and suggestions. The committee members took several proposals each and often paired up to discuss the gems. When there were a number of similar proposals, such as the Punk Rock and Hip-hop shows a sub committee gathered to review them. Most of the proposals were well developed and interesting, however there where some that were incomplete or in need of reconsideration. These were put aside and their programmers are still being contacted with suggestions. Several of the first time programme proposals had been developed during workshops held at the Peterborough Public Library and at TrentU during the pre-season, which gave me an opportunity to meet and discuss Trent Radio with the eager Programmers. Interviews have been largely conducted over the phone (especially with returning programmers and preseason folks) as the programming season was developed. Many programmers this year share an interest for local music and musicians - an ad hoc system is in the works to facilitate the sharing of their resources under the guidance of Jill Staveley. Jill is also developing a digital data base of local music for the new archive system. There is quite an eclectic assortment of programmes this year; we have a show from a twelve year old, home schooled lad, interviews with Aboriginal film makers, food and food issues related programmes and comedy skits. In the pre-season Phil Oakley and myself hosted a daily comedic show during the week featuring town "gossip" and local news. It has gained some popularity with the local theatre community who have expressed interest in developing the show into a sustained improvisation workshop. The show is currently pre-empted to accommodate Studio A training and will return with Phil and a variety of co-hosts. There is quite an interest in radio drama/comedy, which will be supported and developed through workshops and projects with programmers, community theatre artists, and all those who enjoy such endeavours. Multi-lingual shows are scarce this year, there is one Chinese/English show and only one new French programmer who has, as yet, been unable to fasten down her schedule. I'll be working with the New Canadian Centre, the Trent International Students programme and seek advise from Barb Woolner to encourage such programming. Sixty interviews have been conducted so far this year. They have been, on the whole, informal and sometimes on the fly as we've been getting new programmers in and getting on with their shows. I have found the programmers guide booklet an invaluable tool to refer to with first time programmers, who respond with informed questions and comments. Returning programmers have been very supportive, friendly and generous with their time and wise counsel. Interviews will continue this week and next, with additional input from the Operators as they begin their shifts and meet the programmers. Every applicant who requires Studio A training has or is being scheduled. Emily McClung (our Studio A trainer) has trained 6 people thus far with her schedule for this and next week quickly filling. Studio A training will run Tuesday's Thursday's and Friday's over the next two weeks, 2:30-4pm. Additional sessions will be scheduled as needed. Every applicant was invited to attend an information meeting and studio training. (By September 30 2002, 7 people had been trained.) Studio B is up and running with a training schedule on the way. A "Special Shows" timeslot will be included again in this year's schedule. Scheduling is underway and in motion, with revisions continuing as things settle. Evenings are very popular including Saturday and Sunday nights, mornings during the week have a few bald patches and Sunday mornings are empty until 1pm. Although Saturday mornings and afternoons do not require support, a Saturday evening operator is needed - for the time being this is being covered by James Kerr. Sarah Mackillican and Gord DeVillers .continue on as Sunday evening operators from their executive producer roles established this summer. The broadcast schedule with the majority of programme descriptions and emails are on the web page, (http://www.trentu.ca/trentradio/trodeo/guide.htm) with revisions continuing this week. Production of a take home programme guide will get underway next week under the direction of Jenny Rosser. The Arthur has offered to assist in putting a clear and readable guide into their publication, and I hope to increase promotion of the schedule and circulation of the guide with the help of Artspace, who will consider adding it to their mailings.. I would like to see distribution at various venues and business such as The Art Gallery of Peterborough, The Cinema 379, The Peterborough Arts Umbrella, and the Peterborough New Dance. I am keenly aware of printing costs and will take every precaution to avoid wastage. The Open Line and City Council meetings, local political programmes simulcast with Cogeco will continue this season. Programming will satisfy licence requirements and CRTC content category requirements. If there are areas that need further attention, I will seek out programming to cover these areas. The Trent Radio table for groups and club days at Symons campus was very popular, I had the opportunity to talk with many first year students and hand out Programme Proposals and workshop invitations. Other club tables were given Trent Radio's psa emailing address and much networking was done. Announcement of Operators: Mon: Morn - Leigh MacDonald , Aft - tba, Eve - Matt Brundage Tue: Morn - tba, Aft - tba, Eve - Malka Gerber Wed: Morn - tba, Aft - Ruben Mann, Evening - Jasmine Courneya Thu: Morn - tba, Aft - tba, Eve - Laura Farina Fri: Morn - tba, Aft - Kenya Fujiwara, Eve - Greg Mills and Jay Connel Sat: Aft - tba, Eve - James Kerr Sun: Aft - tba, Eve - Sarah MacKillican and Gord DeVillers *** We need Operator support in order to broadcast. Recruitment efforts will be a high priority in the coming days. Ontario Work Study Jobs (who work under the programming umbrella): Programme Director's Assistant - Jenny Rosser Studio A Trainer - Emily McClung Studio B Trainer - Joel Buxton Music Archivist- to be hired Spoken Word Archiving Team - to be hired High School Co-Op tba GOALS FOR FALL 2003 To survive with grey hairs to a minimum. (3 per day?) GOALS FOR FALL 2003 To continue with Trent Radio's exceptional programming! To encourage Community involvement through schools, arts groups, and local orgs.; P.C.V.S. (Teachers have expressed interest in programming with students, Artspace will be involved with projects, local home schooled groups have expressed interest in TRadio resources.) To expand audience with the help of local gathering places; the Night Kitchen and Spills cafe have expressed interest in airing TRadio during business hours, the Only Cafe currently tunes in during the afternoons. To encourage relations with TrentU clubs, groups and departments; with the production of profiles and p.s.a.'s and with the continuation of Kid's Lit, and Peter Andre's third year class. To invite and inspire the production of radio theatre through special programming and project days. To invite and inspire the participation of local musicians through programming, Smooth Operator and live remote broadcasts. To find methods of increasing internet listeners. [end]