Lincoln County Television (LCTV) needs filmmakers to bring locally produced, commercial-free programming to Lincoln County households.

“We’re local filmmaker friendly at LCTV,” LCTV Station Manager Mary Ellen Crowley said. “We offer support to local independent producers who want to contribute programming for broadcast on Channel 7.”

Who are independent producers? They include local government volunteers and employees, residents, organization volunteers and employees, and businesses and their employees. Within the LCTV-broadcast area, independent producers make possible all of the local programming, including select board and other public meetings, sports events, school concerts, special events and more. Independent producers are the backbone of community TV; without them, LCTV would not exist.

LCTV serves as an educator in the field of video for television and the Internet, providing people in the community with a range of opportunities to make video on their own or with others.

“We offer one-to-one instruction, tailored to fit an individual’s level of expertise,” notes Crowley. “You will receive general and specific instruction on your equipment or ours. Our instructors are experts and have experience teaching video, studio production and editing.” LCTV's offers in-depth instruction for Adobe's Premiere Pro, but can also help people with editing programs such as iMovie, Final Cut and Pinnacle.

Training and equipment are free and available to residents of and qualified persons or affiliates of an eligible nonprofit organization or public institution in Alna, Bristol, Damariscotta, Dresden, Edgecomb, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Waldoboro, Westport Island and Wiscasset. Those under 18 must have written permission from their parent or legal guardian to take courses. Registration is required. The media center is handicap-accessible.

“We are always interested in talking with local residents or organizations who have completed projects and would like to see them aired on LCTV Channel 7,” Crowley said. “And if you have an idea for a show you would like to produce, or want to film a meeting, event or program, we are here to help make that happen.”

LCTV is a non­profit, non­commercial community access TV station. LCTV delivers programming 24/7 on cable TV and streams the channel live on the LCTV website. LCTV also offers video on-demand, and a TV and web accessible community bulletin board. For questions or to receive additional information about LCTV, call 207-563-6338, email lctv1@lctv.org or visit www.lctv.org.