Any Fort Collins resident can be certified to use FCPAN equipment. The sooner you are trained to produce your own videos, the sooner you can bypass the talking heads with the unearthly hair on TV. Tell your own stories directly on your own TV station -- FCPAN.

FCPAN provides training for the following equipment:

Panasonic DVX-100B cameras
Panasonic PV GS-180 and PV GS65 small camcorders
501 Bogen Fluid head and tripods
Lowel 3 light kit
Wireless lavaliere microphones (small lapel microphones)
Wired lavaliere mics

Steps for being certified to use equipment:

1. Attend 2 hour orientation and basic equipment training.
2. Pay $40 annual equipment maintenance fee.

(After these two steps are completed volunteers may check out small Panasonic PV GS-180 and PV GS65 camcorders, tripods and microphones only.)

3. DVX-100B Test out.
Either at the end of the orientation class or by appointment with the equipment director, a volunteer who has paid the equipment fee and attended the orientation may take the test that certifies them on the DVX-100B. This is for volunteers who already have experience with DVX-100B cameras. After passing the basic functions test, the equipment director may either certify them immediately to use the DVX-100B or require them to work with a mentor until the equipment director feels they are ready for solo checkout. (These people who test out and are certified on DVX-100B cameras, may not check out the lighting kit unless they can prove proficiency or experience with light kits. They may schedule a separate lighting only training with the equipment director.)

4. Those with no DVX-100B experience can attend the 2 hour DVX-100B / Lighting Kit training class. Completion of the DVX-100B / Lighting Kit training, and successfully passing the DV-100B test will certify them for solo checkout of all equipment.

Note: -- All equipment must be used in the production of videos that must first run on FCPAN. FCPAN equipment may not be rented for productions not to be played on FCPAN television.

-- To check out FCPAN equipment you must have a verifiable Fort Collins residential mailing address or be an employee or agent of a non-profit community group or organization with offices located in Fort Collins. Current, full-time student status at an accredited educational institution located in Fort Collins will also satisfy the residency requirement.

-- Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian attend the orientation with them, sign a form that makes them responsible for the equipment, and be physically present during the use of any FCPAN equipment.

-- In some cases, the equipment director may ask volunteers to work beside a mentor before receiving full certification.

Trainings are scheduled once a month.
To attend a training, first sign up on our volunteer email list and then RSVP when you see the email announcements for trainings.

 

Equipment Check Out:

If you have been certified for equipment check out, you may do so by going to the office at 200 W. Mountain Ave Suite B, during published office hours. Equipment may be checked out or returned then.

You can contact Mona the training director by emailing here

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