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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Gustine Castle, host of 'Gustine Castle and You,' stands next to her limousine that is decorated as a neon caterpillar. Castle's show, which features her fleet of decorated vehicles, focuses on sharing her tips for living a happy and can-do life.
Sun TV
Channel 60 Sunnyvale showcases city folk doing their thing
By Gretchen Knaup
Sunnyvale has its own public- access channel with an emphasis on access. Providing programming covering such topics as music videos to the physically disabled, the pilot channel is heading into its second month in existence.
Last March the city of Sunnyvale launched the channel as a 12-month pilot series to air public- access television programming to resident cable customers. The programming can be found six days a week on Channel 60. Each of the four shows is half an hour in length, with new episodes shown weekly.
The city has provided the funding for four shows that were previously aired in other cities. The 12-month trial will be followed by more shows next year, if the pilot series are successful.
The producers, who all work on a volunteer basis, explain they want to donate their time to provide the public with topics that will be of use and interest to them. Most of these producers do not have formal training in the technological aspects of television production, but, rather, are simply citizens who say they want to bring beneficial information that the general public can view free of charge. They all have areas of expertise outside their shows.
For example, Guy Ferry, a producer of the "Toastmasters on Television" program, is a former NASA research scientist. Despite his scientific background, "Toastmasters" is a show on how to communicate better, with an emphasis on public speaking.
Ferry initially got involved with Toastmasters in 1963, when he took a class offered by the nonprofit organization. "I was particularly impressed with the program because of the way it was taught," Ferry says. "Instead of having one right way to give a speech, Toastmasters emphasizes the fact that there is more than one right way. This was an exclusive take on public speaking, especially at that time."
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Public-access enthusiasts from left, Elaine Ferry, Jeanne Yeager, Gustine Castle, Guy Ferry and Aldin Barrett, are the founders of four 30-minute public-access television shows that run six days a week on Sunnyvale Channel 60. The channel features a wide range of programming, covering such topics as people with disabilities, living a happy life, public speaking and critique of music videos.
Toatmasters' purpose is to teach public, as well as interpersonal communication skills. It's a worldwide organization with approximately 8,000 clubs, most of which are in the United States. Though the annual membership fee is close to $40 per person, Ferry's show allows residents of Sunnyvale to learn the lessons of Toastmasters free of charge, and at their own convenience. Each show is about speaking, using a variety of topics, including parliamentary procedure, tall tales, interpretive reading, business communication and humorous speeches. More information about Toastmaster clubs or the programming can be found on the hotline at 408.491.9204
"On the Move" is another example of Sunnyvale public access' diverse programming. "On the Move," designed by and for the physically disabled individuals, is produced by the award-winning Able Cable Productions which is a nonprofit organization.
As far back as 1977, Donna Yager, a quadruple amputee, saw the need to promote understanding, awareness and self-esteem of the physically disabled. Donna Yager then created the show in 1988, along with the help of her parents, Don and Jeanne. "She says she wanted to inform them of things they would otherwise miss out on," Don says, adding, "She came up with the vision."
Since 1988, 90 shows of "On the Move" have been cablecast. According to the Yagers, the show has and will continue to focus on three categories: profiles of highly achieving disabled people, description of new equipment and facilities and, finally, professional, routine and recreational activities.
In the past shows have featured physically disabled people river rafting and even skydiving. These categories intertwine with each other to spark new ideas with each show, such as new technological devices that enable the disabled to hang-glide. Suggestions or questions are always welcome at 408.720.9069.
Another shows that can be found on Channel 60 is "Those Videos," a show that critiques music videos. Produced by Aldin Barrett. Aldin and his co-host, Jenan Kazzaz, the two critique videos that are ethically questionable.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Guy Ferry, host of 'Toastmasters on Television,' shows off the control room at De Anza College's television studio. His show airs on Sunnyvale Channel 60.
"Those Videos is trying to change the way music videos are watched," Aldin says. He says he hopes that in the future the show's format can incorporate audience participation with an audience panel. "Those Videos" features a wide variety of music genres, including R&B, jazz, hip-hop, gospel and sometimes rock or international.
Besides critiquing videos, Aldin and Jenan also conduct interviews with musicians. The show has a demographic range of 16 to 35, but they say it appeals to anyone interested in learning more about the current trends in music videos.
The last, and definitely the most colorful show on Channel 60, is Gustine Castle's program "Gustine And You." "This show is for anyone with a "type C personality," Castle says. "C" in this case stands for can, as in, you can do anything you set your mind to.
The show is widely imaginative and uses a creative script with cars as the characters. Castle personifies the cars by giving them names that match the theme of the show. For example, one of the main characters is Marimba, a self-described "YouCan Toucan world's feathered limo" and the "rockin' role model for the can-do-type 'C' personality's caring soul."
Castle says each character fulfills a different positive aspect of humankind. The clubhouse, where the show takes place is called the CANaloupe Clubhouse. No "t," of course, because there is no such thing as can't.
Viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments with the city of Sunnyvale. Comments can be emailed to publicaccess@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us, or mailed to City of Sunnyvale, Attn: Channel 60, P.O. Box 3707, Sunnyvale 94088-3707. To find out times for individual shows, tune in to Channel 60, or call 408.730.7476.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
