Moving into
2016-
2MC Productions
We have been working on our “plan” for 2016 and after our
little “gathering” Monday afternoon I thought I would like to record my
thoughts. The key thought is CHANGE! The world is changing, the technology is
changing and we need to make “adjustments” to maintain our growth.
Our Google “Views” topped 67 K this week, we are growing at
about 1,000 views a week. Our YouTube videos have been watched over 16,000
times! We have built a very effective Social Media program and “network” and we
are getting “known” around our community, and the region, for our productions.
We’ve learned a little about our “market” and what seems to
resonate with our audiences.
The big question, that came up at our meeting, at lease in my
mind, is “What are We Selling”? We
started out, two years ago “selling the Gold Coin” then we started selling “Old
Town Mariposa” but over the past year it seems like our “sell” has evolved. Our
“Old Town” show format was organized around “themes”; Old Town Mariposa, Music and Culture, Mountain Folks Community/Culture,
Natural History and the Environment, and Technology and Science. We added
three new “shows” during 2015, The Women
Leaders of Mariposa, The Mariposa
County Update and the Community Calendar “What’s Up Mariposa”. We were
“producing” four “shows” a week during the latter part of 2015.
What we are
Selling is our community and what we’ve been creating is a New Mariposa Brand!
We are more than the County where Yosemite National Park is located in, we are
a unique and distinct County/Community of artisans, scientists, etc., with a
unique culture that has its roots in the Gold Rush History of California and
the pioneer period of “Manifest Destiny”.
The “image” of Mariposa has developed as a community “shaped”
by two huge forces, Yosemite National Park at our “Back Door” and the NEW
University of California Merced Campus at our “Front Door”. We have been
building a “Brand” image of a County/Community of unique and, in some
instances, extraordinary people as well as some unique “geologic formations”!
The “Sell” is more than a “boost to Tourism and visitation”,
although that is one of the big products of our “sales pitch”. What we are
selling is an identity that has implications beyond tourism. We are building a
“Brand” that is identified with Music and Culture, Science and Technology and
unique and talented people and, above all “life style”. We are doing this in a
County economy that is stuck in the “08” Recession with declining school
enrollment, closed schools and population decline!
Our media
“products” are selling a Community that is not reflected in the economic data
coming out of Washington and Sacramento!
The second point that came through loud and clear in our
meeting and discussions is the idea that the “Media is the Message”. Our
multimedia productions are getting out to the world and telling OUR story as a
“Tech-Literate” community! The “story” that we are telling is that we are a
“unique, literate and cultured” community/County, but the “media” that we are
using to communicate this message is telling the world that we are a “New Age”
Tech-Literate community. We are working on, and communicating with, modern
“cutting-edge” Internet based Technology; this is also part of our NEW Brand
“image”.
This is all nice and good but the question is where do we
take it in 2016?
We must change and evolve simply to “maintain” ourselves in a
“changing and evolving” world. We have created a “message machine” and NOW we
need to become more refined with respect to the “Machine” and the “Message”.
The Machine:
Our productions are now
Studio intensive and do not lend themselves to the “mobile” market with respect
to our “shows”. We need to think in terms of “Documentary” productions, short
“Promo Spots”, conventional TV style “shows” and the “short” Informational
production that can be integrated into Mobile communications devices. We need
to think about “productions” that use the new Multimedia “broadcast” formats
(e-mail, social media) that has become the dominate communications “mode” in
our culture.
The Message:
Our “message” is Mariposa! Certainly
Yosemite is part of that message but it is NOT the dominate part of the
message. We can build our “Brand” recognition with “linkages” to the “Yosemite”
image but our “brand is separate and distinct! We will be building our “Brand”
image through expanded programing that features our History, Culture,
Technology and Life Style.
Specifically, we will be looking at several NEW “show”
offerings. The “Old Town” Show, with Bob Borchard will become more focused on
“public policy” and our “cultural heritage”.
·
The
Marshall and Bob Show will be “Conversation/Commentary by Bob Borchard and
Marshall Long on Issues and “public policy” that have great impact on, or
potential for, Mariposa County and its Residents.
·
Our
Changing World will be a “Conversation/Commentary with local Scientist and Bob Borchard focusing on the critical issues of Climate Change and Climate
Adaptation. This conversation will “bring home” the impact of change in
Mariposa County with emphasis on work being done at U.C. Merced in this and
other issues.
·
Legendary
Locals, will be a conversation between Leroy Radanovich and Bob
Borchard on the “Larger than Life” leaders and personalities that have played a
prominent role in the “building” of Mariposa County.
We will develop new “shows” built around different Hosts/Hostesses
that would focus on Art, Entertainment,
Outdoors Adventures, Mariposa People of Interest.
Additionally, 2MC Productions, will work on
developing special “programs” that will feature topics and issues that “Educate
and Inform”, as well as “Entertain” our audiences on are “sponsored” by a
group, organization or an individual. These “show” can have special
significance to the County and the Region, like our “Tales of The Southern Mines” that will document the early history
of Mariposa County and the Southern Mother Lode, the politics, the challenges,
lifestyle and overall “climate” and challenges that early pioneers faced as
Mariposa grew and developed.
In many ways, the “challenges” of our past are as much a part
of our future as other challenges that we face today. Growth, technology,
national and international events, all were part of the early day development
of the County and, to this day, are still challenged with the “opportunities
that present themselves to us.
In many ways, the “story” of Mariposa is the “story” of
California and the Nation as a whole. There is great relevance, in our “story”
to what is happening around our Country. We have, with our “communications”
resources, the ability to “produce” multimedia products that can Inform, Educate and Entertain audiences
far beyond our Rural County limits. The production “content” we develop has
broad application on many platforms and, if done well, can attract audiences
from around the world.
Business Model
From the outset, the 2MC Productions have been “financed”
with capital and volunteer “time” contributions from Bob Borchard and Walter
Hebern. In 2015, volunteer guest Hosts/Hostesses (Carol Dewey, Sabine Lott, Marshall
Long and Marlena Hebern) have volunteered their time. We have had two “Paid”
Sponsors for our programming, Bett’s Gold Coin and On-Site Technologies.
In 2016, we are looking at two, possibly three “paid”
productions that would support our “production” overhead costs (utilities,
rent, equipment/software maintenance update, etc.) We will also be looking for
additional “show” sponsorships from businesses in and around Mariposa. Some to
the documentary” style productions, like the “Tale of the Southern Mines”
series would fit a larger funding model using grant funds or possibly
“crowd-funding”.
With demonstrated audience support, “show” sponsorship/host
relationships can be developed where a business would work with one (or more)
of our “show” hosts to pay the host for their time and efforts that go into
making a “show” popular and promoting their business or enterprise. Sponsorship
would pay for the nominal “production” costs of a show by 2MC (typically
$50-$100 per show) and “compensation” to the host for their time and
organization.
Another aspect of the “economic model” for 2MC is the
“Broadcast Platforms” that the Company has developed. At present, the
“platforms” are included in the “production” costs and the time to
maintain/transfer production “content” to these “platforms done by Walt and
Bob. As “production” time expands, there will be a need to hire staff to
support the production/broadcast activities and the role of Walt and Bob will
be to oversee overall production/direction of the video “content” and assure
quality control. The implication is that we will need help to support this
growing enterprise and production/broadcast costs will increase over the next
year from the nominal rates in effect presently.
The
Bob and Marshall Show:
Conversations
on the Future of Mariposa County
Idea:
Two men with very different “political” views find
“common ground”. In many ways, this show reflects the “heart” of Mariposa;
where two people, with very different “takes” on the world, have become friends
and explore the ideas that unite them in their friendship; the LOVE of their
community! In this highly “politicized” national, and now local. Climate there
is little opportunity for real communication and dialogue. Topics that are
divisive in our community:
Approach:
This show would start out as a two person
“conversation”, in the 2MC Green-Screen Studio, on a current topic using two
cameras showing the two program hosts from two different angles. In time, a
four camera set-up would expand the “shots” to include single views of the two
“hosts” and/or views of guests.
Conversations: The “Shows” would be organized
around “Topical” issues that the County is dealing with including, but not
limited to:
Mining and other Resources Industries; the new resurgence of this
historic resource based industry, its potential environmental costs and
economic benefits.
Topics:
· Mining practices, the new v. the
old.
· The economics of mining,
· The “Politics” of Mining in
California and Mariposa County,
· The role that the “resource”
industries have played in Mariposa County’s History
Culture and Tourism; the impacts, costs and benefits.
Topics:
· Historic/cultural preservation
“tools” (The Mills Act)
· Investing in our past and our
future.
· The role of Cultural Tourism as an
economic tool.
· “Acculturalization” and education.
· Technology and
information/education opportunities.
Economic Diversity and Jobs; Strategies, approaches and
potential outcomes.
Topics:
· The economic implications of a
“single-industry” economy; Tourism.
· Approaches and alternative
diversity opportunities.
· Technology and Diversity.
· The Role of Agriculture in
Mariposa County’s future.
Local Government-Democracy at Work; Political accountability and
representative government:
· Local government organization and
structure.
· History of City/County Government
in California
· “Direct” Democracy vs.
“Representative” Democracy.
· Check and balances; the
Referendum/Petition Process.
The overall topic
selection should be keyed to an issue or subject that has reached National,
State or Regional media as an “interest” and the “focus” would be the LOCAL
“TAKE”. The overall role of Mariposa in history, our Courthouse, the actions
that have occurred over the years and the results that they yielded, are part
of “who we are” TODAY in Mariposa County.
This “show” is about
OUR County Government, as seen from two guys who have seen some changes and
have some understanding of what’s going on. The important value of this show is
the “Perspective” that the two “hosts” bring to the subject.
This “show” is NOT
intended to replace the County Update show. With the County Contract, I expect
that this “Update Show” will evolve and that there will be a NEW spokesman
format for the show, maybe rotating “hosts”; maybe the PIO for the County will
be designated and become the spokesperson?
I see this show as a
natural PUBLIC evolution of the County “show” that NOT work as part of the
County Web site. Because it operates outside the formal “government”
accountability, the show would be free to editorialize and explore ideas that
may not be comfortable with a MAJORITY of the BOS!
Show
Broadcast Date:
Weekly, every other week or as a
special story/event unfolds., no show taping/”broadcast” date set yet.
This “show” can “air” at various time in the week depending on the Broadcast
Mode.
Show Broadcast Mode Our
programs can be “Broadcast” on a verity of “platforms” including:
Old
Town Google/YouTube Site
Old
Town RoKu Site
Valley
PBS ByYou production
KAIL-TV
Old Town Show
Audience:
The show, because of the Internet/On-Demand nature of
the Broadcast Modes, has the potential to reach a very geographically dispersed
population. The “primary” focus of the show COULD be to inform/educate
residents of the California Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains but
elements of the “show” will be of interest to much broader communities in the
State and the Nation.
Logistics:
The
“show” is tapped from our studios. Requires at least one “Control”
Technician to operate the computer system/Wirecast program. Stage can be set up
to reflect the program needs of the Host. The “show” is then “broadcast”, via
the Internet, to the Broadcast “platform”.
Our Changing World
This
“show” is designed to present the story behind the popular “news” stories about
the Climate Change. There are some “media” driven concerns about the “science”
behind the “claims” of Climate Scientists and environmentalists. In the “real
world” media the “scientist” or researcher is an “abstraction”; not a real
person. This show would present the issue of “Climate Change” by a “real”
scientist, researcher and educator from OUR local University of California
Campus, on issues and research that directly impacts and affects the residents
of the Region, State and ultimately the world.
Host: A Climate Scientist from U.C. Merced, Talking about Climate
Change and Adaptation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite National
Park. The overall approach of this “show” could be to inform/educate the public
on the latest research results about our changing environment and what is being
done, by governments, organization, institutions and individuals to “adapt” to
these changing environmental circumstances. We could focus on the work being
done at U. C. Merced, with particular focus on the “local” region, with respect
to climate research and adaptability. We could feature other U.C. Merced
faculty, students or visiting experts in the field, to participate in a timely
discussion of a topic of interest or has “news” value in the Climatological
field.
Show
Broadcast Date:
Weekly, every other week or as a
special story/event unfolds., no show taping/”broadcast” date set yet.
This “show” can “air” at various time in the week depending on the Broadcast
Mode.
Show Broadcast Mode Our
programs can be “Broadcast” on a verity of “platforms” including:
Old
Town Google/YouTube Site
Old
Town RoKu Site
Valley
PBS ByYou production
KAIL-TV
Old Town Show
Audience:
The show, because of the Internet/On-Demand nature of
the Broadcast Modes, has the potential to reach a very geographically dispersed
population. The “primary” focus of the show COULD be to inform/educate
residents of the California Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains but
elements of the “show” will be of interest to much broader communities in the
State and the Nation.
Logistics:
The
“show” is tapped from our studios. Requires at least one “Control”
Technician to operate the computer system/Wirecast program. Stage can be set up
to reflect the program needs of the Host. The “show” is then “broadcast”, via
the Internet, to the Broadcast “platform”.
Legendary Locals of Mariposa County
A
Video Project that would tell the story of “Legendary Local” (Based on a Book
written by Leroy Radanovich) residents in Mariposa County History. There would
be a “narrative” between Leroy and myself that would talk about these folks and
their place in local, state and national (U.S.) History. We would punch up the
discussion with pictures, past and present, that “connects” these people with
this Place! A suggested list is:
|
1.
John C. Fremont
|
2.
Jessie Benton Fremont
|
|
3.
Galen Clark
|
4.
John Muir
|
|
5.
Joaquin Murrieta
|
6.
Angevine Reynolds
|
|
7.
John Hite
|
8.
Capt. John Diltz
|
|
9.
Louis Trabucco
|
10. John Trabucco
|
|
11. James McElligott
|
12. Capt. James Cunningham
|
|
13. James A.
Bondurant
|
14. (Johnny Haige) Not
in the Book
|
|
15.
(Preston) Not in the Book.
|
|
Show
Broadcast Date:
Weekly, every other week or as a
special story/event unfolds., no show taping/”broadcast” date set yet.
This “show” can “air” at various time in the week depending on the Broadcast
Mode.
Show Broadcast Mode Our
programs can be “Broadcast” on a verity of “platforms” including:
Old
Town Google/YouTube Site
Old
Town RoKu Site
Valley
PBS ByYou production
KAIL-TV
Old Town Show
Audience:
The show, because of the Internet/On-Demand nature of
the Broadcast Modes, has the potential to reach a very geographically dispersed
population. The “primary” focus of the show COULD be to inform/educate
residents of the California Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains but
elements of the “show” will be of interest to much broader communities in the
State and the Nation.
Logistics:
The
“show” is tapped from our studios. Requires at least one “Control”
Technician to operate the computer system/Wirecast program. Stage can be set up
to reflect the program needs of the Host. The “show” is then “broadcast”, via
the Internet, to the Broadcast “platform”.
Tales of the Southern Mines
A California Gold Rush
Anthology of the Southern Mother Lode Region of Mariposa County
Introduction/Overview
This would be a series of short (3 to 5 minute)
historical videos about Mariposa County, from its first Gold Rush “invasion” in
1849 up to 1900. During this fifty year span of the early American West, the
California Gold Rush sparked the age of fulfilling the Manifest Destiny dreams
of the early organizers and leaders of the new nation, known as the United
States.
The story of the great California Gold Rush is often
given light and trivial treatment in both the history books and in our modern
media culture. From Hollywood’s perspective, the Arizona Territory, it’s cattle
barons, OK Corral shoot-outs, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid and others is the Old
West”.
Little attention is given to the early American
visionaries that took of the challenge of our great western
exploration/expansion in the 1830s, the Mountain Men, and Pathfinders who
ventured east of the great Mississippi River and ventured beyond the Rocky
Mountains, past the Sierra and into the Central Valley and Pacific Coastal
areas under the occupation and control of the Mexican Government.
This series is intended to not just bring this
important and colorful part of our great “Western Expansion” to life but to
tell this story from the “view” of early pioneers into Mariposa County and
Mariposa, the capital city of the Southern Mines.
Approach
The “Tales of the Southern Mines” series
would be modeled on the old “Death Valley Days” early Television series. The “Tour
Guide” or “Host” would be dressed in “western” attire to create the
image/theme “brand” for the show. The Tour Guide would provide a “narrative”
that provides “context” for a “short-story” about early life in the “Golden
Hills” valleys and creeks. Portions of the series will be videotaped on-site,
similar to the Huell Howser video narrations in his “California Gold” series.
The video series would be created in format and style
to make the content radially available on Hand-Held and Mobile communications
devices. This format is also readily accessible on traditional Internet
connected home computer systems. The series can be developed with, or connected
to, a unique “App” that could be downloaded into various media access devises.
Show Style
The “style” and format of the series would combine
on-site contemporary video/pictures of a historic site or location in Mariposa
County. The video would combine historic and current pictures of people,
buildings, scenes or ‘things” that complements the “Story”. The Story will be
about people or events in Mariposa history. Where possible, voice over
narration, by someone other than the Host, would be done from actual written
accounts of the times (Newspapers, public records, letters, etc.) When
appropriate, sound effects and music would be included to add to the overall
effect.
The overall intent of the “show” would be to transport
a “visitor/viewer” from a site in today’s world to a time distant. This will be
a short “intense” experience for the viewer. The shows will be historically
accurate but will try to convey the “feeling” of an experience that a person
would have if they were there, on that site, at the TIME the “story” unfolds.
The video will try to “take you there”.
Types of Show Content
The Tales of the Southern Mines will you the rich
record of the early exploration and development of Mariposa County, including
the Fremont Grant, early gold mining and the “discovery” development of
Yosemite National Park. The “Show” will be developed around several series that
will be developed over the course of several years. These “shows” will
constitute a video history of the County, it’s people and the significant
events and sites that are still prominent and visible to visitors and residents
alike.
·
“Dear Charley” Gold Mining on Aqua Frio Creek
This would be a series, based on the book “The Dear Charlie Letters” written in
1845 from Aqua Frio Creek by a placer minor. The series would read passages
from the “letters” on-site on Aqua Fria (Frio) and similar placer diggings
around the County and bring to “life” these early miner stories and their
lives, much of which is not well documented. This series would be organized
around several “passages” from the book that would focus on areas such as:
ü Early
travel and time/distance “realties”
ü Communications,
letters and news.
ü Living
and Life Style
ü Early
mining and mining placer mining techniques
ü “Frontier
Justice” and danger.
ü The
lure of gold, wages and economics.
ü Mining
Camp Life
ü The
“Big City” and “back in the USA”
The passage from
the “letters” would be read behind a photo show of the “subject” focus. A
narrative, on an actual early mining site/community/location, would expand on
the “focus subject”. This “narrative” would be Bob in his “Old Town” show
costume. (another “actor” might be used in this “narrative” performance role).
·
Tales of Joaquin Murrieta
This would be based on several books on Joaquin and his activities in Mariposa
County.
·
Tales of Old Hornitos.
This would be based on the Book by Tom Phillips, edited by john Turner about
Hornitos. The book tells stories about early gold miners, settlers, business
owners, ranchers and outlaws. The series would be shot on site in Hornitos on
various ranches, mining properties and historic site around the
community/Mining District.
·
Tales of Old Coulterville
This series would be a tour of the old town, its historic buildings and include
narratives about incidents, people and artifacts that are part of the community
today.
·
Tales of Old Mariposa
This would be based on the Book by that is being written by Tom Phillips it
will follow the theme of his book on Hornitos
·
Tales of Early Yosemite
This series will be an on-site narrative of historical sites and locations
around Yosemite Valley and the Park that will focus on its early occupation and
development.
·
Tales of the Southern Mines
This would be based on various sources that would describe early mines, mine
owners/operators, mine development and ultimate closing. The series four focus
on mines such as the Mariposa Mine, the Mt. Opher Mine, the Mary Harrison Group
of Mines, the Pine Tree and Josephine Mines, the Washington Mine, the Ruth
Pierce Mine, the Number 9 Mine, the Mount Gaines Mine, etc. Additional stories
could focus on the Various Mining Districts in the County, early (now
forgotten) “mining camps”, efforts to develop water resources to support placer
and “Lode” mining operations, electrification, steam power, etc.
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