Mike Hall Video

documentation of fine art works, performance, and critical historic events of the third millennium

 

 

works

A portfolio of video productions, visual imagery and writings that challenge convention and explore alternative forms of perception

 

contact

 

 

home > works > cable access

Works created in collaboration with the Somerville Producerīs Group. Since 1974, on alternate Tuesday evenings from 8 to 9, cable subscribers in Somerville have been treated to a wide variety of cultural and informational programming on channel 3. The following are representitive shows that Iīve either produced myself or which prominently featured my contribution.


Holography, Bananas and Life  conversations with Harriet Casdin-Silver

Harriet Casdin-Silver is a pioneer in field of fine art holography, and her career in the visual and performing arts goes back more than half a century. On April 27th, 2004 I produced a live show for the Somerville Producerīs Group thatshowcased her work, and in the process I was able to capture several of her holograms in video. Not content to speak only about her art, Harriet opened the discussion to issues of feminism, aging, the body, and politics. At one point, she directed my questions back at me, which was a bit unnerving but so typical of her approach to those around her.

16th Street Tactical  protected speech about unprotected rights

On September 14 2004, two weeks to the hour after their arrests with 1200 others during the Republican National Convention, Charles Shaw and Michael Hall described their experience on a live cable access show which was broadcast in Somerville Massachusetts. Shaw, a prominent member of the Green Party and editor of an online magazine devoted to political issues, provided historical perspective on the use of preventive arrests and extended detentions for political activists. Joining the panel was Savic Rasovic, a self-proclaimed propagandist from Montenegro, who manages a transcontinental media organization from Boston.

Sky Saw  electronic zithers, video synthesizers, and improvisational dance

As with many of the live TV events presented by the Somerville Producer"s Group, the show that aired on September 30 2003 was not scripted or rehearsed in any way. The musicians had never met the dancers, and only a few of the members of the studio crew had ever worked with any of the performers. However, there was a strong tradition of producing music shows at SCAT on alternate Tuesday evenings, and most everyone was prepared for the inclusion of the acoustically reactive video synthesis made possible by Melodicon, which was to be mixed into the video stream directly and also projected behind and upon the musicians and dancers themselves.

Of Lemons and Superheros  showcasing films from the 48 Hour Film Project, Boston

On June 22, 2004, a live cable sccess program was produced in the studios of Somerville Community Access Television which showcased two films that were submitted as part of the "48 Hour Film Project Boston." Cast and crew members of these productions were interviewed, and the two short films were screened, each of which were created entirely between April 2-4 of 2004. The elements of a given character (Spudgy McGonnagle, Pastry Chef), prop (garden hose) and line of dialog ("So what"s the plan this time, Brainiac?") were required in all the films, and each team leader chose a genre from a hat as the competition began.


All content herein is freely redistributable.