GATE Basic Policies

The objective of Greenbelt Access Television, Inc. (GATE) is to produce video projects to show on the GATE Channel. Each time equipment is used by a member, the production should be done with that end result in mind.

The following policy is set up to assist members in producing their projects. The rules and regulations are established so members have a feeling of what is expected of them. It is unreasonable to expect this handbook to address every possible incident, however, in the best interest of the Community, please use these as guidelines and consider what is best for the organization as a whole and the other members. Considering your fellow member includes bring equipment back on time and in good working order, keeping all of your files in a designated folder on the hard drives, and finishing your project in a timely manner.

The GATE Board and Staff are here to assist you and will make every effort to treat all members fairly. Members are expected to do the same.

The Joys of Membership

A membership runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Greenbelt Citizens must live in incorporated Greenbelt (which is different from postal-address Greenbelt) and pay $25. County residents must live in Prince Georgeís County and pay $50. Non-county residents pay $75. Plan to bring a state or federally issued photo ID. We want a copy of it. The Board or Staff may require you to supply additional proof.

Family memberships are available to those living in incorporated Greenbelt and entitles two adults and their dependents living in the same household. Family memberships receive one vote during the annual meeting voting process.

Members under 18 must be under a family membership and endorsed by a parent or legal guardian. Equipment must be signed out by the adult member for those under 16. All repairs and replacements are ultimately the responsibility of the adult family members.

Organizational memberships are available to groups chartered in incorporated Greenbelt and entitles up to eight (8) members to be equipment certified. Organizational memberships will also have only one vote during the annual meeting voting process. This membership requires filing the organizationís by-laws and insurance/bonding info because the organization will ultimately be responsible for the condition of the equipment.

Free Lunch? Membership fees are minimal. As a member, you get access to over $1000,000 worth of hardware and software. But once you have completed your project, you MUST turn it in to GATE for airing. Members who do not turn in productions may be barred from future rentals.

Equipment Rentals

Equipment retnals must be booked through a GATE Staff member. Please fill out a rental form, and a staff member will confirm the reservation and mark it on the calendar. Do not write on the calendar yourself.

Field equipment will be free for the first two (2) business days. Ten ($10) dollars will be due at the time of check-out for each subsequent 24-hour period (full and partial). Equipment may be reserved for up to seven (7) days per reservation, though additional reservation time may be approved by management or the GATE Board.

If you would like to take the field equipment farther than a six (6) hour car trip, you will also need Board approval. A written request must be presented and approved by the Board. The written request should include: producer/member, location, event or production, and duration of reservation. Recommended: payment for rental fees. The Board is scheduled to meet only once a month. Plan and get organized EARLY.

Equipment must be returned at the time indicated. A late fee of $20 per day per piece of equipment will begin accruing the day it is scheduled to return. For example, if a camera and tripod comes back three days late, the penalty is $120. Two (2) pieces of equipment X three (3) days X $20 = $120. These fees WILL be enforced so that all GATE members have access to the equipment.

If the equipment is returned missing a major part (i.e., tripod without the plate), it will be considered ënot returnedí simply because it is unusable and will be charged the corresponding fees.

Bring the equipment back the same way you found it. You must return the equipment in the same condition it was checked out. Conditions should be noted on the rental agreement BEFORE you leave the Studio. You may be liable for anything not previously noted (and please remember to sign and initial all the spaces on the agreement).

On the other hand, tell us if something is broken so it can be fixed. Otherwise, the next personís shoot (or your own later down the line) could be seriously impaired.

Student policy: GATE reserves the right to waive student rental fees. Students must submit a brief synopsis of scope of project and filming schedule. Scheduling will be made at the Executive Director's discretion.

Waiting period policy: Members may reserve and sign out equipment forty-eight (48) hours after a previous reservation and/or rental after the return of the equipment. All pick-up and equipment returns are presumed to be during posted business hours.

It's your shoot. No one has more to lose or gain if the equipment isn't all there and functioning. While Staff makes every attempt to check the equipment, it is ultimately your responsibility to CHECK EVERYTHING before you sign the rental agreement. Ask questions before you leave the Studio. Make sure you take all the equipment with you and make sure you bring everything back.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility. Always a must for those under 18. We do our best to promote creativity among the younger crowd while managing to protect the equipment and other parties.

You will be held financially responsible for anything that happens to the equipment. Handle it wisely. Watch it carefully. Treat it as your own.

GATE reserves the right to immediately take back any of its rented equipment that is being misused, mishandled, and/or used for illegal purposes. The renterís right to use any and all GATE equipment will be revoked for 30 days or longer at the Board's discretion.

Taking Care of the Equipment Will Take Care of You

While members have access to equipment, they are responsible for the care and replacement of any equipment in their possession. Members are required to supply their own video tapes for source footage and final production. The cameras currently use only a ëdry formulaí miniDV tape made by Panasonic. Particularly Sony and Fuji make a ëwet formulaí mini DV tape. When one formula follows the other across the camera heads, it creates a mess that requires several hundred dollars worth of professional cleaning to get rid of ñ so pay attention to what you buy and donít mix because you may have to foot the cleaning bill.

Rember: use only DRY tapes!

If in doubt, check with Studio personnel first!

Blank media may be purchased at GATE. Rates are posted in the Studio. Extra copies of productions are available with rates varying based on length and format. Blank VHS tapes, CDís and DVDís are also for sale from GATE. Copying services are available on a per piece basis if you supply your own media (and of course it has to be the kind that works with the equipment ñ ask first before you buy).

Studio Rental

Studio space rental is $50/four (4) hour period. Members working on productions for the GATE channel may be waived.

Please keep your feet and other damaging things off the green screen wall. You could be held liable for damage. Chromakey paint is approximately $60 a gallon.

The Studio and the equipment are essentially community property. Treat it with respect, and we will all benefit in the end.

Make it a Point to Make Appointments

Members are responsible for meeting their appointments for pick up and return of equipment. Missed appointments may result in missed rentals or late charges. Members may be charged $20 for late or missed editing and camera classes. ìLateî is defined as arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. Although allowances will be made, within reason, clearly foreseeable events (e.g., typical D.C. metro area traffic, forgotten appointments, etc.) Will not be excused. Moreover, frequently being late, even if less than 15 minutes, will, following a verbal warning, also result in a late charge. Calling as soon as possible for unexpected emergencies is highly recommended.

Returned checks will be charged an additional bank service fee ($35) plus the original fee to be paid in cash. Checks will no longer be accepted for that membership account.

GATE does not allow equipment use or rentals or technical services for members with outstanding balances. Waivers, payments and appeals shall be the discretion of the Board.

Rates and fees may change without notice though we will try to get the word out.

Now Showing...

Any Greenbelt citizen may furnish a program to the Board and request that the program be cablecast provided that:

The request for access is made in writing to the Board. The citizen must be at least 18 years old or have the parental or guardianís consent in writing.

The citizen has written releases from everyone appearing on the program.

The request complies with the written standards for cablecast established by the Board.

All productions must have written permission from all contributors and must include credits for copy protected music.

Productions should have 15 seconds of uninterrupted black slug at the beginning of the production. An additional 30 seconds of black slug should be included at the end of each production.

Cablecast media should be properly labeled with Producer, Title, and length of production listed on the media itself.

All productions utilizing GATE equipment must be cablecast on the GATE channel.

What we canít (or wonít) show...

FCC regulations prohibit:

Any advertisement that promotes a lottery, gift, enterprise or similar scheme that offers prizes awarded on the basis of chance, as prohibited under 47 Code of Fed. Reg. Section 76213.

Any program or advertisement that directly or indirectly solicits funds from the cable subscribers (unless authorized by the Board).

Any material which is obscene, advocates violence, or uses vulgar or profane language that is inappropriate to its context. The Staff will pre-screen videos and take other appropriate steps to ensure such material is not cablecast.

Any material which violates any federal, state or local statutes.

Any commercial advertisement that promotes the sale of any product or service. Including but not limited to product placement and sponsorship.

Particularly evocative or controversial productions must carry a disclaimer:

The opinions and views expressed in programs cablecast by GATE are not necessarily the opinions and views held by the Organization and the GATE Board.

The Board reserves the right to show disclaimers for programs cablecast over the GATE channel.

Specifically, FCC regulations do not allow profanity to be broadcast on public access. IT IS THE PRODUCERS RESPONSIBILITY TO TURN IN A CLEAN MASTER TO BE CABLECAST. We arenít too picky how you do it: bleep it, shoot alternate scenes, substitute words, whatever it takes... The GATE Board reserves the right to decline any production based on content or technical merit.

Members must observe the rules and regulations of the Greenbelt Community Center and GATE. Members should not loiter or occupy restricted areas of the Community Center. Damage to the building and surrounding property could result in penalties, fine, criminal and civil prosecution as well as expulsion from the GATE organization.

Inappropriate behavior, such as horseplay, disrespectful gestures, aggressive behavior of any type, and unauthorized use or removal of equipment, will result in penalties ranging from fines to termination of membership as determined by Staff or the GATE Board. Questions regarding GATE policy or fees should be directed to the GATE Board at their monthly meeting. Contact the Administrator or the President for a slot on the agenda. Contact info should be in the GATE Studio. The GATE Board reserves the right to terminate any membership at its discretion.

Adjudication request policy: Members wishing to appeal any GATE policies must give a written statement of issue and circumstance to the Executive Director or the Board President at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the monthly Board meeting. Statements will be accepted as an e-mail or in printed form.

Meetings

Each month, the GATE Board discusses important issues and the overall running of GATE. All meetings are open tot he public and generally held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the GATE Studio (15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt Community Center). If you have an issue or an appeal you would like to discuss, or would like to confirm the meeting date (which changes occasionally), please contact the Administrator before the end of the month: 301.507.6581.

The Annual General Membership Meeting is held in the spring, usually in the month of March. As a member, you are encouraged to attend. It includes a financial overview and review of productions in the past year. The Board membersí positions are staggered over a three-year period. Elections for those seats are also held at the Annual Meeting.

Our current staff includes: Malia Murray as Executive Director; George "Mr. Geo" Kochell as Production Manager and Animation Instructor, and Nick Dobson as Production Manager. Every year we host interns from Roosevelt High school who also function as staff.

Other odds and ends...

Submission policy- Members should be prepared to submit a copy of their production no later than one week after presenting or final editing is completed. When a member wishes to launch any additional projects, he or she needs to provide the Executive Director with a written estimation of time of completion for all projects in production. If a project has resided in GATE equipment and has not been worked on for longer than sixty (60) days, staff may regard the project as abandoned and may issue a one-week notice of possible deletion. At that time, the member should consider exploring other storage options if they wish to preserve their work.

There are surely some topics that have been overlooked in this handbook. Common Sense must rule the day and will be defined by the senior GATE employee on duty. Members who have disputes concerning any rules, policies, fines, fees, or other issues should bring their concerns to the next monthly Board Meeting for resolution.

Isn't GATE non-profit?

"Non-profit" doesn't mean GATE loses money. It means the profit made is reinvested into the organization. The money GATE receives from memberships, rentals and tape sales is invested in buying new equipment, software, staffing. If a member makes a production that becomes a commercial success, naturally, GATE is interested in receiving some of the profit as a reinvestment in the organization.

Closing thought...

Did we mention that all productions using GATE equipment should be developed to show on the GATE Channel?