Equipment and Facility Usage

The facilities and equipment of the Community Media Center of Marin are a
community resource intended only for productions that air on the channels of
Marin TV. Members who are certified in the use of the equipment can make
reservations via the web site, phone, e-mail or in person through the staff at the
front desk. Please note: equipment and studio reservations can only be made
after the producer has an approved project proposal on file with the Operations
Manager. CMCM’s equipment and facilities are available to members only for
the purpose of creating non-commercial content for the community channels
only. Under no circumstance may members use these resources for personal or
commercial purposes, doing so will result in a major violation and loss of
privileges.
Edit suite and field equipment reservations can be made up to a month in
advance. Studio reservations can be made up to two months in advance. Series
producers may keep their regular studio reservations as long as their series
remains active on the channel.
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CMCM Studio
Studio Producers with a regular series may reserve the studio for up to three
hour blocks twice a month. Producers can make special requests to shoot
multiple programs per reservation. Producers wishing to produce a “special” in
the studio (not a series episode) may reserve the space for up to three hours
once a month. Main studio programs must have a minimum of three certified
members on their crew. Studio availability is limited and available only to
productions requiring the capabilities of thee studio (multicamera production).
Productions that can be equally produced with field equipment may be required
to do so. Please note: CMCM’s entire facility has a maximum occupancy of 25
people. Please consider this when using the facility for shooting in studio.
Field Equipment
Field reservations can be made up to a month in advance. Certified field camera
operators who have active project proposals on file may make a maximum of four
reservations per month, per program. Field equipment may be checked out for up
to 48 hours for weekday checkouts and 72-96 hours for weekend checkouts. If
additional days are required, a fee of $20 per day may apply. See staff for
extended reservation requests.
Field camera equipment must be checked out and returned during CMCM’s open
hours. CMCM’s hours open to the public are Tuesday-Thursday 2pm-9pm,
Friday 11 am -6 pm, and Saturday noon-6pm.
Field equipment pickup and return schedule:
Pickup Return Total Time
Tuesday Thursday 48hrs
Wednesday Friday 48hrs
Thursday Saturday 48hrs
Friday Tuesday 96hrs
Saturday Tuesday 72hrs
Editing Stations
Edit reservations can be made up to a month in advance. Certified editors can
reserve in-house editing suites for a maximum of four-hour blocks, up to three
times a week.
Dubbing Station
Producers and members with an active program can use the dubbing station four
hours a week for viewing or transferring footage from one format to another.
Producers may use the station for viewing as needed. While drop-in use is
allowed, reservations are recommended. Non-members can rent time on the
system or pay for tape transfers to be made by CMCM staff.
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Anycast Flypack-
Certified Anycast operators may check out the equipment twice a month.
Certified field camera crewmembers must be named as the camera operators for
each Anycast reservation. The Anycast Flypack equipment may be checked out
for up to 72 hours. To receive certification to reserve the Anycast Flypack,
members must have completed the Multi-Camera Field Shoots with the Anycast
System Workshop. To register for this workshop, members must have
certification in Studio Production, Field Camera Production and Final Cut Pro
Editing.
Equipment Use Policies
• Canceling a reservation with less than 24 hours notice is considered a
minor violation (see page 17 for explanation of major and minor
violations).
• Equipment and facility bookings may be given to other members if the
producer or crew are over 30 minutes late and have not called to hold their
reservation.
• Series producers who cancel their studio reservations three times in a one
month period will lose their regular timeslot, and members producing
specials will need to meet with the Operations Manager and resubmit a
program proposal, unless they have arranged for a leave of absence with
the Executive Director due to extenuating circumstances.
• Producers may not trade or sell their reservations.
Liabilities for Equipment Use
It is the responsibility of the borrowing member to be sure that their equipment
package is in good working order upon pickup and return. CMCM will assume
responsibility for damage as a result of wear and tear, unless abuse or neglect is
obvious (e.g., the camcorder is full of sand, the camera was stolen due to being
left unattended in a public space). Members are responsible for the cost of repair
or replacement due to damage, misuse or theft.
Responsibility of Borrowers
Borrowers agree to take full responsibility for equipment in their possession and
must take every precaution to protect the equipment in their care:
• Never leave equipment or production materials unattended, even for a
minute. Always keep the equipment with you or directly in your view. If you
must leave it briefly in a parked vehicle, park the vehicle where you can
see it and lock the doors. Never leave equipment visible through car or
van windows; cover it up or put it in the trunk. Never leave equipment in a
car overnight.
• Never allow anyone to operate, handle, or borrow equipment except
CMCM-certified users on your production crew.
• Never attempt to operate equipment in locations or under conditions which
appear unsafe or where equipment could be damaged (also on the beach
or in rain)
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If Equipment is Stolen
• Notify CMCM immediately.
• File a police report. Provide law officers with proof of forcible entry, details
of physical assault, and any other related specifics.
• As soon as possible, give CMCM a brief written report containing all the
relevant details including copies of the police reports.
Technical Problems
Should you experience any technical problems with CMCM equipment or
facilities that are not caused by operator error and affect the outcome of your
production, please notify the Operations Manager.