Pure Chaos

The worst broadcast we ever did due largely to a host of technical problems Ellen was having with the system from video to audio issues. I was also tentative because after installing a new operating system, Yosemite to my MacBook Pro. My problems paled by comparison with what turned out to be almost pure chaos!!!

First she couldn't get the microphone to work, and then after trying all three in the studio, finally got something working. Then as we began, the visual feed stopped working so I couldn't be seen and then we had severe interference. When I went home and saw the DVD of the show, I was horrified by the end product - positively awful. I thought after all that hassle at the studio I could go with an imperfect show and indicate to my audience what it is like to do public access, but it was so terrible that it would have been an embarrassment.

Called Ellen today and indicated that perhaps we should not attempt to broadcast until we have relocated back to the now completely renovated studio, but she felt confident that we can do it, so I acquiesced and we are trying the same show again next Friday. The content appeared excellent. I focused on the Tuscan adventure we had with my friend Lidia and her friend Sabrina and Sabrina's husband Giulio. I asked them to take me anywhere they felt best in Tuscany, preferably somewhere I had never seen. They chose a fabulous day which consisted of morning at the Badia a Pasignano, just west of the Chianti Region, then lunch at a charming restaurant with spectacular views near where Sabrina and her family used to spend their summers, topped off by the hill town of Fioralle not far away. Show # 117 will focus on Badia a Pasignano with two wonderful video interviews, followed by part 2 or Show # 118 on the lunch at Rignana and afternoon at Fioralle. Good plan, lousy broadcast facilities.

Things were so bad yesterday that I began to once again think about doing my own production. I would buy a video camera, set it up meticulously on me sitting at a table, and simply do my own DVD to be uploaded to Youtube. The trouble is that I like public access, feel loyalty to Woodstock and to Ellen, and might not be able to have the split screen concept using the tri-caster. I will give this more time, especially in the new studio which should become a reality in a few months.

Oh Where Oh Where Have I been?

On Friday, September 25, 2015 I will attempt to broadcast my 117th show. The topic will be related to an extraordinary day I sent with some of my friends in Tuscany. The 116th show on an amazing bead store in Venice is currently being edited and may be published soon; who knows. The 115th show is permanently shelved as far as I am concerned due to the dissatisfaction the participants in that show had with the finished product (see my previous blog post). Alan's Italy is still alive, well, with a very strong beating heart. I have not gone away, yet.

The challenges of Public Access Production as opposed to getting easier seem to be getting harder for a variety of reasons. We are still in the makeshift studio instead of our new digs in the refurbished community center. My engineer continues to have difficulties with the broadcasts. Our desire to produce as close to a perfect show continue to haunt us. My time is even more limited than before, but I feel an obligation to my very loyal fan base, and my mission to present a watchable version of Italian adventure from my point of view.

I have many new shows in the very elementary stage of planning. They are very good ideas based both on my personal experiences and my fertile imagination. I do not know what the future will bring. We will close up shop probably soon to move back into a regular studio. Based on past experience the hiatus should last a couple of months at least. That will be a blessing in disguise as it will provide the time to create several new shows. Stick around.

As always, thank you for your support!!!