Brooklyn Free Speech FAQs

All programs on Brooklyn Free Speech must have a Brooklyn-based program applicant. The program applicant is the Brooklyn resident (18 years or older) or organization submitting a program for cablecast on Brooklyn Free Speech. The program applicant accepts liability for the content of the program and responsibility for turning in their programs for playback. To apply for a timeslot, you will need to schedule an appointment to have your application processed by either Kareem Bland or Tyrone Gorin in our programming department.

During your appointment we will validate your identification and Brooklyn resident status as well as explain the process of using our digital upload system to play your program on our channels.

Please note that all programs uploaded into our system MUST be on a DVD or USB flash drive. To schedule an appointment, please call 718.683.5645 and speak with one of our Brooklyn Free Speech team members.

Any adult Brooklyn resident can apply for channel time on Brooklyn Free Speech television. Channel time is free of charge. You have complete control over the content. You will need to provide proof of Brooklyn residence. If you do not have a bill or lease in your name, someone you live with or another Brooklyn resident can vouch for you.

This person will need to bring proof of Brooklyn residence in person to The Media Center or they can sign the Proof of Residency Form (below) and you can bring a NOTARIZED copy to The Media Center. NOTE: If the voucher is an entity (i.e.: non profit organization, shelter, institution, etc), no notarization is needed but the proof of residency letter should be issued and signed on the entity’s letterhead.

We look forward to seeing your show!

You need to be a Brooklyn resident in order to take any course that makes you eligible for free use of Brooklyn Free Speech production equipment (Courses that make you eligible to use Brooklyn Free Speech production equipment are called certification courses). All other courses are open for anyone over 18 years of age (All other courses are defined as non-certification and free courses).

*New series applications are only accepted in January, April, July, and October. A new series submitted for cablecast in January, April, or July 2020 will be eligible to be submitted for the 2021 B Free Awards. A new series application submitted for cablecast in October 2020 will be eligible for the 2021 B Free Awards.

**Specials (Single-Air Programs) are accepted at anytime during the calendar year. A special submitted for cablecast in 2020 will be eligible to be submitted for the 2021 B Free Awards.

• Summer Programming Season: July 1-31
• Fall Programming Season: October 1-31
• Winter Programming Season: January 1-31
• Spring Programming Season: April 1-30

Yes, you’re absolutely right! Our network channels were called BCAT but we changed our name from BCAT TV Network to Brooklyn Free Speech in 2013.

Why did you change your name?
While we love the name BCAT—and it still holds a special place in our hearts—we wanted a name that effectively communicated our expanding community media channels as a network that spotlights the work of talented artists and media makers across the borough.

BRIC was designated the Community Access Organization for the Borough of Brooklyn in 1988. A development plan for creation of a full-scale, community-based media outlet for the entire borough was devised. The result is the BRIC community media program known today as Brooklyn Free Speech

Brooklyn Free Speech includes:

• The New York Emmy-nominated Brooklyn Free Speech which empowers you to air your thoughts, dreams, hopes, and aspirations through the dynamic medium of television. The community television network displays programs that reflect the borough’s diversity of thought and culture;
• Brooklyn Free Speech Radio, the borough’s first community podcast network with content produced and edited by New York City’s most diverse audio makers;
• A public media education program which gives you television, film, and podcast production skills through free and low-cost, high-quality courses so that you can create your own show on the New York Emmy-WINNING Brooklyn Free Speech, and;
• The Media Center which gives Brooklynites the tools and know-how to professionally create and cablecast their own television programs on Brooklyn Free Speech television.

Great question! BRIC used to stand for Brooklyn Information & Culture. Then we changed our name to BRIC Arts | Media Bklyn. And now our name is just BRIC. So, what does B-R-I-C stand for? Well, it can mean anything you want it to. We anticipated that we would get this very question when we changed our name to BRIC in 2013 so we had a campaign called #WhatDoesBRICMeanToYou.

It could stand for:

• Brooklyn: Real Inspiring Creative
• Breaking Rules Inciting Creativity
• Bagels Rugelach Icing Cupcakes
• Batman Robin Ice-cream Catwoman

We encourage you to have fun with it. So Brooklyn Free Speech FAQs reader, what does B-R-I-C mean to you? We know how creative you are, so email us at [email protected], and let us know what you come up with.

Make a generic promo before you receive your airtime.  You may submit an additional promo once you receive your airtime.

Absolutely, we’d love to have your promo for either the SD or HD channel.

A promo for your program is not mandatory; however, we highly recommend that you make one.

Unfortunately, we do not currently have a schedule for the category time blocks for Summer 2018 because we are designing the time-blocks based on the content received.

We can sometimes accommodate your request to air time-sensitive content within a week on the SD channels. You may still apply later for HD channel air-time.

Your content to will be aired the month following your application— unless you choose an air-date further out on the calendar. For example, if you submit your application and content during the July 1 – July 15 application period, your content will be aired in August— unless you ask us to air it later than that.

Yes, as long as your content is shot and produced in HD. However, we encourage you to premiere new content on the HD channel.

Yes!  However, time slots longer than one hour are subject to availability.

We expect to see high demand for time slots on this channel. We’d like to give everyone a fair opportunity. So, a program can be from one to three related episodes. HD channel airtime is assigned to programs, not to persons. That’s why we schedule only one program per application period.  But if your program has more than one episode with related theme, we’d like to accommodate your need.

A few ways:  First, there is no season or quarter. The application period is monthly.  Second, you must turn in the programs with the application.  Third, you can apply for more time as soon as your program has played.

A special is a single program that is NOT part of a series. A special is a program with only one (1) guaranteed airing with additional air dates given at the sole discretion of Brooklyn Free Speech.

You will need an external hard drive to save and edit footage at The BRIC Media Center. We also recommend that you get one for home use when working with video, so as to not fill up your computer’s hard drive space.

Important Note
Not all hard drives connect to all computers so please feel free to contact a Brooklyn Free Speech public equipment team member at 718.683.5645 or [email protected] for recommendations and computer compatibility.

You should purchase a Class 10 Card. As far as card size (8GB vs 32GB and everything in between), that all depends on what you’ll be recording. Please feel free to contact a Brooklyn Free Speech public equipment team member at 718.683.5645 or [email protected] for size recommendations.

We teach Adobe Premiere Pro CS6. Adobe Premiere CS6 can be found on the computers in our edit suites and on the 12 computers in our media lab.

You can find crew for your Brooklyn Free Speech show(s) by clicking here.

Great question! You can book equipment and studio space with The BRIC Media Center by filling out our Electronic Equipment & Studio Reservation Form.

Your content will play on Brooklyn Free Speech Radio. For more info about platform distribution, please contact the BRIC Media Education team at 718.683.9338 or [email protected].

We all think our voices sound funny! But no worries, there are a variety of formats for podcast shows and not all producers act as hosts for their shows.

Not at all! Even if you have basic computer skills, you’re ready to get started.

We have Zoom audio recorders, handheld mics, editing stations, and a podcast studio available for free!

A podcast is like a radio show that is created for subscribers to download or stream.

Easy! Take an Orientation and then a podcast certification class. After that, you’ll have access to free equipment at Brooklyn Free Speech and distribution on our network!

We’re so happy that you’re interested in submitting your content.

FOR BROOKLYN FREE SPEECH TV
Your film, TV show, or short, MUST air on one (or all) of our five Brooklyn Free Speech TV channels this year (2020) in order to be eligible for the 2021 B Free Awards.

FOR BROOKLYN FREE SPEECH RADIO
Your podcast MUST air on Brooklyn Free Speech Radio this year (2020) in order to be eligible for the 2021 B Free Awards.

We’ll have more information about the actual submission process in late 2020 / early 2021.

In 2012, Brooklyn Free Speech partnered with the Brooklyn Public Library to bring media training to residents in and around the Central (Park Slope), New Lots (East New York), Kings Highway (Midwood), Coney Island (Coney Island), and DeKalb (Bushwick) branches.

This partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library allowed us to expand our reach providing Brooklyn residents with free introductory media courses and low-cost, high-quality media education courses at their neighborhood library branch. Within a year, three of the branches (East New York, Kings Highway, and Coney Island) began providing free equipment checkout for Certified Community Producers.

Highlights
In July 2015 we opened a brand new, state-of-the-art television studio at the Brooklyn Public Library in Coney Island.

In June 2016, we expanded our media training reach even further by offering courses at the Brooklyn Public Library’s DeKalb branch in Bushwick.

Yes! We’re always looking for great volunteers like you. Fill out our volunteer form to get involved with events like our BRIC Media Talks series, B Scene, and the 7th Annual B Free Awards happening on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Ready. Set. Volunteer!

Need help with finding crew members for your Brooklyn Free Speech productions? Fill out our online Studio Crew Request Form and we’ll match you with fellow producers who specialize in your needed area.

For your convenience, BRIC provides free, sidewalk bicycle parking directly in front of
BRIC House.

Please make sure to bring your own lock and please also be sure to lock your bike securely.

Looking for the New York City Bike Map? Here it is!

Street Parking
While there are metered and alternate side of the street parking spaces in close proximity to BRIC House, we advise that you take public transportation. If you are planning to drive, we strongly advise that you read all parking signs very carefully.

For your convenience,  here is a link to the New York City Department of Transportation’s website for more information about alternate side parking rules and suspensions.

From downtown Manhattan or the FDR Drive
Take the Brooklyn Bridge. Turn left on Tillary Street. Turn right on Flatbush Avenue. Turn left on Fulton Street and drive one block. The BRIC Media Center which is housed in BRIC House will be on the left; parking is on the right.

From Manhattan’s West Side
Take the West Side Highway to Canal Street. Exit left onto Canal Street. Canal Street feeds straight into the Manhattan Bridge. Across the bridge, continue straight onto Flatbush Avenue. Turn left on Fulton Street and drive one block. The Media Center which is housed in BRIC House will be on the left; parking is on the right.

From the BQE (East or West)
Exit at Tillary Street. At the second light, turn left onto Flatbush Avenue. Turn left on Fulton Street and drive one block. The Media Center which is housed in BRIC House will be on the left; parking is on the right.

Tell the driver you’re going to 57 Rockwell Place (Between Fulton Street & DeKalb Avenue). It’ll be much easier for them to find our building and you’ll be dropped off right in front of the door.

SUBWAY
2 3 4 5 to Nevins Street (closest subway station!)
B Q R (D & N, 11PM – 6AM) to Dekalb Avenue
B D N Q R to Atlantic Avenue—Barclays Center
A C G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street
C to Lafayette Avenue
G to Fulton Street

BUS
B25, B26, B38, B41, B45, B52, B63, B67
All of the above buses stop within three blocks of The Media Center.

LONG ISLAND RAILROAD
The Long Island Railroad stops at Atlantic Terminal, approximately 2 ½ blocks away from The Media Center.

ACCESSIBLE SUBWAY STATIONS
Looking for the full list of MTA accessible subway stations in Brooklyn? Here it is!

Travel Alert: Please confirm bus and subway service on the MTA website as there are
frequent weeknight and weekend service interruptions.

GENERAL INQUIRIES
[email protected]

EQUIPMENT ROOM (PE)
718.683.5645 or 718.683.5605
[email protected]

MEDIA EDUCATION TEAM (CLASSES)
718.683.9338
[email protected]

MANAGER OF COMMUNITY PRODUCER SERVICES
Joseph Ranghelli
718.683.5975
[email protected]

COMMUNITY PRODUCER LIAISON
Matthew Allen
718.683.5649
[email protected]

TV PROGRAMMING
Kareem Bland, Traffic Coordinator
718.683.5643
[email protected]

Tyrone Gorin, Program Coordinator
718.683.5644
[email protected]

Gen Ai Liu, Special Projects Manager
718.683.5652
[email protected]

PODCAST PROGRAMMING
Jessica Mason, Adult Education Manager
718.683.5662
[email protected]