25 Apr Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: PhillyCAM

BY ANDRE CHERRY

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a  local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and  impactful work.  

PhillyCAM plays a vital role in Philadelphia by operating the city’s public access television network. Public access was created as a form of compensation from the cable companies that do business within a city. For over 14 years, PhillyCAM has empowered ordinary people with the necessary tools and training to create and broadcast their own non-commercial TV programming. 

There are many ways for people to get involved at PhillyCAM, including: taking a class, attending an event, or requesting a tour of the PhillyCAM studios. People of all backgrounds and experiences are welcome at PhillyCAM as its mission strives for “people and communities to express themselves, to learn from each other, and to produce and share media reflective of experiences of everyday people.”

cinéSPEAK asked Nasha Taylor, Community Engagement Director of PhillyCAM, about its vision for Philadelphia and the impact community media plays in empowering people. 

cinéSPEAK: What makes community media special? 

PhillyCAM: Community media offers the virtual and in-person space to feel safe while learning, to feel supported as creators, and to feel connected from ideation to distribution. 

cinéSPEAK: What is PhillyCAM’s vision for the broader community at large? 

PhillyCAM: We envision an equitable society in which media reflects and represents our communities, builds community power, and enables all people to have access to media tools to critically analyze media and to participate in media creation.

PhillyCAM’s origin story is an interesting one as activists fought for nearly three decades for a public access system for Philadelphia residents. Philadelphia lagged behind other major cities that already had a public access system in place. You can learn more about the fascinating history of public access in Philadelphia on YouTube. 

cinéSPEAK: What are some of the programs or opportunities at PhillyCAM that folks can get involved in? 

PhillyCAM: Studio and field production for TV and radio, community journalism, organizational leadership, and special projects throughout the year.

cinéSPEAK: In what ways does community media inspire change? 

PhillyCAM: Community media is more than video and radio production. Members help build relationships across neighborhoods and lived experiences, commit to leadership roles as board of directors and special committees , and aid in the relationships and projects with organizations across the city that promote civic engagement and social health.

cinéSPEAK: What is unique about your organization within the Philadelphia landscape? 

PhillyCAM: [PhillyCAM is a] multimedia community center providing education, production, and distribution for all levels of content creators ages 14 and older!

cinéSPEAK: What is one thing the general public might not know about PhillyCAM? 

PhillyCAM: The programs on our cable TV and FM radio station are member produced and members always retain the ownership of their content throughout distribution. 

There are no limits to the type of content that members can produce. Some of the programs currently on air include: children’s shows, short films, miniseries, self-help, educational, and live-music shows. You can find and watch these programs on the PhillyCAM website. 

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community? 

PhillyCAM: PhillyCAM aspires for community media to facilitate meaningful connection through local storytelling and noncommercial content that generates collective power for equitable, just communities.

cinéSPEAK: Is there anything exciting that is upcoming for PhillyCAM?  

PhillyCAM: Workshop offerings are updated here on our website. Check it out right here! 

cinéSPEAK: What does a membership to PhillyCAM entail?

PhillyCAM: Memberships are year-long with workshops and one-on-one support available throughout the year.

cinéSPEAK: Is there anything else you would like us to know about PhillyCAM?

PhillyCAM: Our cable channel and radio station is where anyone in the Philadelphia broadcast area can tune in to get a sense of the perspectives and voices of people throughout the city. 

cinéSPEAK: What is the best way for people to stay up-to-date on your organization’s work? 

PhillyCAM: Become a member, connect with us on social media, and subscribe to our e-news.

PhillyCAM also maintains an active blog where folks can stay current on all the news happening in the PhillyCAM community. You can find the latest PhillyCAM blog posts here. 

*Featured Image: Image of PhillyCAM members and staff during a 2022 member reunion event. Image credit: Kyle Cassidy.

Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the  Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over  the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org.

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Andre Cherry’s love of storytelling compels him to create art. He is a cinéSPEAK Fellow, background actor, and writer. His screenplays have placed within the Austin Film Festival and Stowe Story Labs. Andre, who originally hails from the Chicagoland area, quickly grew to love Philadelphia after moving to the area in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Illinois State University.