Access San Francisco

The gods giveth and the gods taketh. AccesSF Community Television Corporation was made a reality as part of the cable franchise agreement San Francisco signed with the first cable franchise holder more than a quarter century ago when Dianne Feinstein was Mayor. It’s been the community resource center for teaching television production ever since. In 2007 while our elected officials were asleep at the wheels of government, AT&T, Verizon and other telcom giant’s deftly engineered a release from the obligations every community in California enjoyed ever since cable became a reality. Cable Franchise owners and operators and their paid lobbyists, almost all former aides to local politicians, bought their way into freedom from those agreements and funding for hundreds of local community public television will be history. AccesSF under Zane Blaney has educated, trained and given unique opportunities to thousands of young and old, disabled and deprived citizens in communications arts and television production. This is a great community resource that offers access to jounalism, free speech, community and non profit people and institutions, a great asset for all San Franciscans.

For anyone who has ever dreamed of having their own television show, this is the place. With a little bit of time, dedication and ability to follow the rules, anyone can start their own television show. They can even get a regular time slot. It’s an amazing place and it allowed me to have one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I produced the show Funky Fitness for one year and never had a bad experience. The volunteers are great and I made some very cool friends along the way. If you do decide on becoming a producer, here’s a tip: feed your crew well because they deserve it!

I have no idea what they do here, but one time I was walking down Market St, and in the window they have a big screen TV where the receptionist is and it was playing porn.