By Christie S. Peterson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
This semester, the UA and its students will come to life on public access television through "The Cat's Eye," a student-produced show currently in production.
"The Cat's Eye" will be a news-type show incorporating news, sports, entertainment and roving interview segments, all focusing on life at the University of Arizona and designed to appeal to students and average Tucson citizens alike. Two 22-minute pilots are being produced and should be ready to air by the end of the semester.
Rebecca Butler, Associated Students media relations officer and the show's executive producer, said she believes it will attract viewers both on and off campus because the university is an integral part of the Tucson community.
"When I found out UA is the only (university) in Arizona without one (a regular television program), I thought we should. It may not be needed, but it will be welcome and people will like it," said Niels Hirschmann, a creative writing senior who wants to write scripts for the show.
More than 100 students have applied to work on the show and about 20 will be chosen to attend technical classes at the Tucson Community Cable Corporation to learn how to use the station's equipment, Butler said. More than 40 people have applied for on-camera positions and interviews will be held to pick the approximately 16 students who will appear in the pilots.
In addition to technical and on-screen work, 12 people are needed as assignment producers and a second executive producer is being sought. This person will be paid $550 for his work, which will take about 30 hours per week.
The executive producers' salaries, a $60 tuition fee per person attend-
ing the TCCC classes and other production expenses are being paid for through ASUA funding.
Butler said she will demand dedication from those chosen.
"The biggest thing is not your experience," she said. "The biggest thing I'm looking for is time commitment."
To ensure this commitment, students attending the TCCC course are in the show, said Maria Karlsson, a media arts sophomore. "Having a resum‚ tape is very important. At a student-run TV show, you can make mistakes and learn without getting fired."
While the pilot shows are being produced for public access, "The Cat's Eye" may not remain there. Although there are no definite plans, Butler hopes to get a local station, possibly NBC affiliate Channel 4, to agree to support and broadcast two shows next semester.
"I want everybody to work together and come up with ideas," Butler said. "This is to see what we're capable of."