Meeting

It's perhaps an apocryphal story that filmmaker Robert Rodriguez developed his skills using public access television facilities in Austin. It is, however, completely believable that some next-generation filmmakers could develop their talents using the state-of-the-art, high-definition digital facilities at Austin's public access community media center.

City officials are preparing for the current franchise with Time Warner Cable to expire in 2011, with the next one to be administered by the state under a new law. The changes are expected to have a significant impact on funding for public access operations.

On July 14, the City of Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission will sponsor a roundtable discussion on the future of public access community media in Austin. The roundtable event will feature four panels of experts and community activists -- including people from the local film community -- examining the issues that public access television faces.

Join members of St. David's on Thursday, January 21, at a forum lunch featuring Deputy Director Carol Pirie of the Texas Film Commission. Pirie will discuss the Texas film industry, what keeps jobs and film dollars coming to Texas, and upcoming projects.

Lunch begins at 11:45 a.m. in Crail Hall. Cost is $10 and provided by Cafe Divine. Free parking is available in the St. David's garage. Registration is available here.

We know you care about broadband Internet. From Hulu to IMDb, quality broadband is increasingly important to film enthusiasts.

As you may have heard, the United States is not considered a world leader when it comes to broadband Internet. What you might not have heard is that Congress has asked the FCC to look into that situation. The FCC has been directed to develop a new National Broadband Plan, and the report is due February 2010.

The FCC commissioners have been soliciting public input for the plan. Earlier this year, they asked the public to submit written comments about what they want for broadband. Now the commissioners are hitting the road -- and the road starts here in Austin.

FCC Commissioner Meredith Atwell Baker will be in Austin on Monday, Sept. 21 to hear testimony about national broadband policy.

The FCC press release explains:

The FCC is convening field hearings this fall to promote an open dialogue between the FCC and the public on development of a National Broadband Plan. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 directed the FCC to submit a National Broadband Plan to Congress by February 17, 2010 that addresses broadband deployment, adoption, affordability, and the use of broadband to advance solutions to national priorities, including health care, education, energy, public safety, job creation, investment, and others.

Advocacy groups are urging the public to attend in support of broadband reform. So stop by the hearing to unleash your inner policy wonk and help build a better Internets.

View the full press release here: FCC Announces Initial Broadband Field Hearings (104K PDF)