Workshops
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.
Certified Producers
After successfully completing one of our production workshops, you will be granted Certified Producer status. Certified Producers are able to use BCAT facilities and equipment at no cost to produce their own programs. After completion of an applicable workshop Certified 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.
Brooklyn Free Speech TV
BCAT produces and co-produces several shows with Brooklyn viewers in mind, including Brooklyn Review, a bi-weekly news magazine; Reporter Roundtable, a weekly talk show; BCAT Presents, a weekly program covering cultural events and events presented by Brooklyn non-profits; BCAT SportsTalk, a weekly wrap-up of local sports; and the Neighborhood Beat series featuring 11 of Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods. Look for these Brooklyn Independent Television programs and others primarily on our third channel, Time Warner Cable channel 56 and Cablevision channel 69, identified in blue in our quarterly program guide.
