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Not only does Vallejo have a place that streams local events At the time of this writing, Prewitt said the organization has
and news, but also people have the great opportunity to use a free class coming up on February 29th, called “Become a
VCAT as a tool for their individualized and/or company Digital Superstar by Shooting Video with your Cell Phone.”
needs, which is included through acquiring a very affordable This class is just one of numerous examples of free events that
monthly membership. VCAT offers to the public, where this one could help many
utilize the recording and capturing
People who sign up for VCAT features (constantly increasing in
memberships help support the quality) on our cellular phones that
community while getting access we may not know how to use.
to these said resources and more—
including opportunities in training of As technology rapidly develops, public
pre-production tasks (e.g. capturing televised media broadcasting stations
footage, writing scripts, setting up like VCAT are just as important today
scenes, using and making set designs, as they were 50 years ago. Even with
etc.), as well as post-production (e.g. access to high-speed Internet and
editing, dubbing, etc.). In addition, streaming at our fingertips, public
members notably have access to play broadcasting will remain a way
out (to stream content) on VCAT’s for voices to be heard in our local
television channels: Comcast’s communities, as it covers footage and
Channel 27 and AT&T U Verse’s channel 99. topics that are pertinent to us that commercial (mainstream)
broadcasting would otherwise not show.
In addition to membership, VCAT offers sponsorship packages.
For example, “We can go out and take some footage [such as for VCAT is staying current in 2020, however, by providing more
a business or organization], although we can’t do calls to action, than television. “We are now evolving to a multimedia center,”
but we can go out to the business and talk to [and professionally said Prewitt. “We are no longer just television; television has
record] them about their business and how they are vital to the changed over the years with streaming, YouTube, and social
community,” Prewitt said. This marketing option could help media, so we are reevaluating what our purpose is.”
those who do not want to do it themselves but instead want to
hire a professional. Now is the opportune time for the public to take advantage
of the services provided by Vallejo Community Access
Prewitt wants people to know that VCAT is an affordable Television, where they welcome you to become a supporting
marketing resource. “We can be an extremely affordable member. All donations that they receive make it possible for
marketing tool for your business,” said Prewitt. “We are offering our educational classes to continue throughout the year.
Vallejo broadcasting center has to offer be part of the community as well.” Social media is clearly one VCAT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all donations are
What Vallejo’s multimedia
to share business tools that can help your business grow and
tax-deductible.
of the best platforms for marketing to engage customers (i.e.,
exposing them to content while building rapport with them and
maintaining company reputation); and because VCAT knows For additional information about classes or becoming a VCAT
how to professionally use it and train others, their organization member, or if you would like to discuss a sponsorship package,
By James Quinn
could be added as a lucrative tool to effectively help businesses call their office at (707) 642-8228 and ask for Office Manager
drive sales of services and products. Jackie Nelson. VCAT is located on the Jesse Bethel High School
Community Whether a person is famous or not, they can produce television—right here Campus at 1800 Ascot Parkway, Room H-100.
in Vallejo with Vallejo Community Access Television (VCAT). Apart from the services and benefits that this nonprofit Office hours are Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to
Access VCAT is Vallejo’s television broadcasting station (not to be confused with much a significant part of Vallejo, as it does a lot for and with 5 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment.
provides, it is also important to realize that VCAT is very
it. For instance, the organization actively helps the youth with
Ozcat Radio) that a group of citizens formed as a nonprofit organization in
1998. In 2001, the City of Vallejo and VCAT jointly approved a contract for
VCAT to operate the community channel and to manage the television studio. internship programs with Solano Community College and Jesse
Bethel High School (as it is located within the latter’s campus),
Television voice,” Sherry Prewitt said, who is VCAT’s chairwoman, as well as Executive interest that can directly transfer into a career in different levels James Quinn lives in Vallejo and teaches at
where students can get real experience in the field of their
“We are a television station, which is public access and gives the community a
Director and Technical Director.
of multimedia production, directing, editing, scriptwriting, and
Elmer Cave Language Academy. A UC Davis
that the organization has plans to do at least four free events
With the mission “to provide public access television to Vallejo residents more—all looks great on a resume. Moreover, Prewitt stated alumnus in English, he now studies education as
part of Touro University’s Master’s in Education
(VCAT) opportunities and showcase our talent”—the organization helps people and mixers, etc.) and is partnering with different organizations to program. Along with teaching, he tutors and
with the community a year (e.g. classes, film endeavors, social
to increase community awareness and pride, enhance our educational
writes often. Email him at james.quinn@tu.edu.
businesses produce and stream their own content, all while providing “access
make these events better. Events and their dates can best be seen
Visit his website at mrquinnj.weebly.com.
to facilities, equipment, and training to enable you to produce your own
Access Television,” as well as in press releases.
content” (vcat.tv/about-us). posted on their Facebook page: “VCAT – Vallejo Community
Discover our community 2020 27