Make TV

Volunteering on a Program

Don’t feel confident enough to make your own program, but still want to get involved and make TV? Our programs are always looking for volunteers to help with camera operating, sound recording, sponsorship, marketing, script writing, editing ... you name it! Check out our production noticeboard for current volunteer opportunities.

Make your own TV Show

Do you have an idea for a fantastic new television program? Or perhaps you can't find anything on television that covers the issues and news of your community? C31 welcomes new program ideas, and encourages people with little or no experience in television production to get involved.

With over 1.4 million people watching C31 Melbourne each month, a television program enables many communities and special interest groups to bring their particular views, news and issues to a wider audience. From local football to Italian theatre, C31 is the home of diverse and niche-interest programming.

Producing a community television program is also an excellent opportunity for aspiring television professionals. Both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, hundreds of C31 Melbourne volunteers have gone on to paid film and television work in Australia and overseas.

Click here for an overview of what's involved for you as a program maker turning your idea into a television show.

Submitting Your Idea

All program ideas need to be in writing, according to the guidelines of the Program Proposal Kit. The Kit will answer many of your questions, including typical episode duration and series length, program sponsorship and the application process. Your program proposal should be forwarded via email to info@c31.org.au or via mail to Programming Team.

All proposals will be considered by the Programming Team and responded to within three weeks of receipt.

Where do C31 Programs come from?

C31 programs are sourced from the following sources:

Members - non profit organisations incorporated as associations or companies limited by guarantee which have joined the Melbourne Community Television Consortium as Members. Member groups welcome new proposals for programs and new program makers to work on current programs - within the areas of their specific community of interest. To make a program with a program group, you will be expected to join that group and pay its membership fee. More information and a list of Member groups is available here.

Access Affiliate groups - non profit organisations incorporated as association or companies limited by guarantee which have joined the Melbourne Community Television Consortium as Access Affiliates. Affiliates usually produce or intend to produce regular programs. Access Affiliates welcome new proposals for programs and new program makers to work on current programs - within the areas of their specific community of interest.

A list of the Access affiliates is available here.

All member groups begin as access affiliate groups.

Independent producers - Independent producers, production companies or other organisations can also provide programs to C31 directly. Independent producers may be required to pay for broadcast air time and are able to seek direct sponsorship for announcements linked to their program to assist in broadcasting, production and promotion cost recovery. Air time costs for independents depend on the identity of the independent - that is, whether they are a non-profit organisation, or for-profit company, production house or individual. Not-for-profit producers are required to supply evidence of their not-for-profit status. If the producer is subject to air time fees, the air time is discussed with the producer following a detailed program proposal being prepared, and before approval of a proposal and broadcast of the program.

The station - A limited range of broadcast material is produced by the station itself, including 'Living Melbourne', station identifications, program breakers and sponsorship announcements.