[MR] Fwd: [Announcements] Increased Media Attention and Guidelines

[E L Wimett]

I have to admit that I find some of this, particularly the extreme urge for
central control of media rather sad.

If you read the third paragraph carefully, you will see that it specifically
states "Permission to film at any SCA function for anything other than
personal viewing can only be obtained from the Corporate level."

Many of us who have been around for a while can recall not only local, but
kingdom and national officers being very happy to have local television
stations film our events, whether local tournaments, demos or fighter
practices.  Many groups used such pieces as excellent recruitment mechanisms
and many an oldtimer heard first about the Society through a short film
piece on a local station.  (I know that was the case for me, though the
local outlet was in New York City and for various reasons I did not track
down the Society in person until I moved to Mississippi.)

Strict interpretation of the rubric stated in this email will make this
great public relations mechanism more or less impossible since local
officers will have to tell any member of the local media who wishes to film
a color spot for the evening news or the Sunday kaleidoscope show that they
personally would be happy to have them film, but that it is necessary to get
explicit permission from the national office for such filming.  How many
local media folk will want to go to that trouble when there are so many
other non-profits just dying to be featured by their station.

Psigh. . .

Alisoun
Who mundanely works for a museum and knows just how much non-profit
competition there is for media space

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Amy Heilveil
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 7:28 PM
To: Merry Rose
Subject: [MR] Fwd: [Announcements] Increased Media Attention and Guidelines

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Increased Media Attention and Guidelines

In the past few years, the Society has been garnering increased media
attention, some due to the efforts of the Society and Kingdom Press
Officers, some through situations beyond our control.  While that can be a
positive thing, raising awareness of the Society's activities in the outside
world, expanding our potential for educational outreach and enhancing the
image of the Society as a whole, there is also a downside which will require
extra vigilance from local groups.  There are media sources which are more
interested in sensationalist coverage than in portraying the organization in
an accurate manner.

First, a caution to parents:  there have been incidents where an individual
has approached minors claiming to be a reporter wanting information on the
organization, but refusing to speak with parents.  When we contacted the
media outlet whom the individual claimed to be representing, the media
outlet had no reporters who had contacted us.  They also assured us that
they would not have approached minors without first talking to, and
obtaining permission from, the parents.   Please be on your guard for this
ruse, especially in public settings.

Next, there has been an increased amount of attention from national/high end
media, including magazines, professional and student filmmakers &
documentarians, and reality TV shows.  If any of these media outlets contact
you, the contact should never be handled at the local level.  Refer the
contact immediately to your Kingdom Media Rep; it will most likely be
handled at a Society level.  Permission to film at any SCA function for
anything other than personal viewing can only be obtained from the Corporate
level.  Permission requests go to the Society Seneschal, via the Society
Press Office.

Additionally, permission to use the names, logos and insignia of the Society
for Creative Anachronism, Inc. for any media venture must be obtained
through the President of the SCA, via the Society Seneschal/Society Press
Office.  This includes the names and heraldry of Kingdoms, Baronies and
local branches, as well as the Society as a whole.
Finally, a note about Internet video.  Please let common sense prevail.  Do
not post any copyrighted material (video or audio) for which you do not hold
the copyright without obtaining written permission from the copyright
holder.

Thanks to everyone for their increased attention to these matters.  If you
have any questions, please contact the Society Press Office at
media at sca.org.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN is giving away a trip to Vegas to see Elton John. Enter to win today.
http://msnconcertcontest.com?icid-nceltontagline


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