No. 10, April 29, 2003

ATN NewsNotes

Editor: Kandus Thorp, Assistant to the Director, Adventist Television Network

ADVENTIST MEDIA PROFESSIONALS GATHER DURING NAB

Each year tens of thousands of people in the multi-media industry gather for the world’s largest media convention. Held every year in Las Vegas, Nevada, the National Association of Broadcasters Convention brings together vendors and professionals from around the world to see the latest and greatest in media technology.

For a number of years Adventists involved in broadcast and television have also attended, but without realizing how fast this industry is growing within our church until this year’s convention in April 2003. Three years ago a handful of Adventists gathered at a restaurant on the opening night of the convention. The group ended up standing outside for nearly two hours under a street lamp exchanging ideas and dreams for Adventist television. Last year over 40 Adventists gathered again for an evening of fellowship.

This year 91 Adventists met for a pleasant evening of fellowship hosted by ATN. Staff from media centres in Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, and the U.S., as well as representatives from Norway and the EUD office in Switzerland participated. The global scope of Adventist media was evident.

Staff and media students from Andrews University, Pacific Union College, Southern Adventist University and Walla Walla College rubbed shoulders with media teams from the ATN Center, Adventist Media Productions, Amazing Facts, Blue Mountain TV, Safe TV and 3ABN. Joining the group were a strong team of 12 from AWR, plus many free lance producers and other media professionals from around the USA. Pastor Ted Wilson gave a short message encouraging everyone to take the opportunity to participate in ATN.

After an overview on new developments at ATN and its expansion to 24/7 worldwide, a lively discussion followed, with excellent observations and comments from the group.

“It was wonderful getting to meet all the Adventists involved in media production,” writes Danny Kim, freelance media professional from Michigan. “It was especially great seeing the scope of people involved in religious media, from radio to television, from institutions like AMP and GC Video to us freelancers, from those involved in production for years to students just beginning, as well as their teachers. The best thing about the event was how inclusive it was, and how great it was feeling a sense of community.”

“Thank you for the wonderful reception at NAB. We really enjoyed being there,” wrote Lynelle Ellis, Manager, Blue Mountain TV. “The chance to talk with so many from our field was great. The food was fabulous too. Thank you again.”

Pr Brad Thorp, Executive Director of ATN, said, “ATN believes the Lord is preparing teams of people who have been gifted with skills in creative production and who will contribute significantly to providing new Adventist television programming. The best is yet to come!”