Ever wondered what it would be like to be part of a real TV talk-show production?
SCHEDULE A FREE VOLUNTEER PREVIEW VISIT.
(No cost. No commitment)
About Our Ventura TV
Since 2008, Our Ventura TV has been a recognized and award-winning television series featuring people, organizations, and stories from Ventura County and the surrounding area.
Our programs are broadcast on Ventura cable Channel 6 and are also distributed online and through social media, allowing local stories to reach audiences beyond television.
Behind every program is an all-volunteer team making it happen: operating cameras, handling audio, directing productions, hosting programs, assisting with administration, and helping prepare the shows for broadcast and online viewing.
You don’t have to be a television professional to be part of the team.
Training is provided.
And you don’t have to know whether volunteering is right for you before you visit. You can start by simply seeing what we do.
What Could You Do?
There are many ways to volunteer, depending on your interests and abilities.
3-Camera TV Studio Production
Help create the programs while they are being recorded.
- Camera operation
- Audio
- Lighting
- Set photography
- Hair and Makeup
- Control-room camera switching
- Floor management
- Assistant Director responsibilities
On-Camera Hosting
If you’re comfortable communicating with people and don’t mind being in the limelight, there may be an opportunity to audition as a host/interviewer.
Hosts schedule their own guests, subject to approval by the Producer. After gaining experience, hosts may also be asked to interview additional guests on topics that fit their interests.
Creative Support
Help our programs get ready for broadcast and online viewing, including work that can done from home and on your own schedule.
- Video editing (Davinci Resolve/Fusion)
- Graphics
- Program preparation
- Online video management
- Social media and promotion
Administration & Organization
Not everyone wants to work in the studio or directly on productions. There are also opportunities to help with the many tasks that keep a community television operation running.
- Scheduling
- Program coordination
- Administrative assistance
- Community outreach
- Publicity and public relations
You don’t need to know which role is right for you before you visit. That’s part of what the ‘Volunteer Preview’ visit is for.
Who Might Enjoy This?
A Volunteer Preview might be right for you if:
- You’re curious about how local television is produced.
- You’d like to learn new production or media skills.
- You enjoy working with people.
- You have skills or experience you’d like to contribute.
- You’re interested in community-oriented programming.
- You simply wonder whether this might be something you’d enjoy.
You don’t have to arrive knowing what you want to do.
You just need enough curiosity to come take a look.
No Television Experience?
That’s Okay.
Our Ventura TV is an all-volunteer community television series. Volunteers come with different backgrounds, interests, and levels of experience.
Some may already have experience in broadcasting or video production.
Others may have none.
Training is provided.
You can start with the basics, learn by working alongside experienced volunteers, and gradually take on more responsibility as your skills and interests develop.
What Is a ‘Volunteer Preview’ Visit?
The idea is simple:
Join us as an observer in the studio while we’re recording Our Ventura TV programs.
During your visit, you’ll be able to:
- Watch productions from behind the scenes
- See what volunteers do
- Meet some of the people
- Ask questions
- Get a feel for the atmosphere and the work involved
- Decide later whether you’d like to participate
There is no cost and no obligation.
Think of it as an opportunity to see whether volunteering with Our Ventura TV is really something you want to try.
What’s the Time Commitment?
Studio productions are currently recorded on the first Wednesday afternoon of every other month—six production afternoons per year.
Each production afternoon includes approximately six recorded segments.
There is also a 30-minute coordination meeting once a month via Zoom, at 10:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month.
Life and other responsibilities may sometimes require you to miss a production or meeting. That’s understandable. Just let us know in advance so we won’t be expecting you.
Can I Volunteer from Home?
YES!
Although a team is needed in the studio for each production afternoon, many of the support, administration and organization activities can be done from home, on your own schedule.
Even if you want to volunteer from home, we recommend visiting a studio production at least once. Seeing the operation firsthand can give you a better understanding of how everything fits together.
Where’s the TV Studio?
Studio productions are recorded at:
CAPS MEDIA CENTER
65 Day Rd.
Ventura, CA. 93003
(Next to Ventura College)
Our Ventura TV is an independent, all-volunteer production organization. CAPS manages the TV broadcasting equipment and the studio maintenance (and are not involved in our productions).
Questions about Our Ventura TV are best directed through the Contact form on this website or during your visit.
Why Volunteer?
People get involved with Our Ventura TV for different reasons.
- Some are interested in television and video production.
- Some enjoy learning new skills.
- Some enjoy meeting interesting people.
- Some like being part of a positive team.
- Others simply want to contribute to their community.
Whatever brings you here, you may discover that community television is something you didn’t know you were looking for.
An Invitation from the Director: Michelle Hoover
“Come to the studio, watch some shows being recorded, and see what happens behind the cameras. Meet the crew, ask questions and get a feel for whether you’d enjoy being part of the team. Everyone is friendly, welcoming and supportive. There’s no cost and no commitment—just an opportunity to see if OVTV is a good fit for you.”
An Invitation from the Founder/Producer: George Alger
“Our Ventura TV has always been about giving people in our community an opportunity to tell their stories and connect with one another. That takes more than cameras and equipment—it takes people who are willing to be part of making it happen. If you’ve ever wondered whether community television might be something you’d enjoy, I invite you to come see it for yourself.”
Thinking about Volunteering?
Start with a ‘Volunteer Preview’ visit.
Come observe real Our Ventura TV productions while they are being recorded.
- No experience required
- No cost
- No commitment necessary
See what it’s like.
Then decide if it’s right for you.
Schedule Your Volunteer Preview
Once you contact us, we’ll get back to you—usually within one business day—to work out the details.
We’ll let you know:
- When and where to arrive.
- How to get a free parking pass.
- Who will greet you and show you around.
- Who you’ll meet among the crew and hosts.
- What to expect during the afternoon.
As a visitor, you are welcome to stay as long, or as little, as you wish.
Once a recording has started, you’ll need to sit quietly until that segment is completed so you don’t distract or interrupt the production. Each studio recording is about 15 minutes long.
There’s usually plenty of activity between segments as new guests and hosts take their places and are prepared for recording. For that reason, the best opportunities to ask questions and talk with the crew are at the beginning and end of the afternoon.
Volunteer Preview visits are intended for those who are curious about or interested in becoming a volunteer with Our Ventura TV.