In the city of Novi, an old storage space has given way to innovation as it transforms into a top-tier television and podcast production studio. The transformation is led by the city’s Community Relations Department, who utilized public, educational, and governmental (PEG) funds for the project.
The Making of Studio No.VI
Christened as “Studio No.VI“, the project took a little over a year to plan and construct, funded by an $800,000 budget derived from federal PEG funds. PEG funds are fees added to cable consumer bills, as a mandatory 1% fee.
According to Novi’s director of communications, the city garners between $350,000 and $380,000 in PEG funds annually. However, these funds come with strings – they can only be used for capital improvement costs. Facilities associated with public, education, and government access can utilize these funds for construction, equipment acquisition, software purchase, warranty coverage, labor, and training costs.
Once a walk-in closet, the new studio spans 1,000-square feet and comprises three different sets – a green screen, a central setup with a video wall, and a standing monitor. The studio is now home to several city podcast programs, including ‘Update Novi’, a monthly mayoral update; ‘After the Gavel’, a city council meeting recap; and ‘Now You Novi’.
Efficiency at its Best
This new studio not only optimizes production but also offers a glamorous, efficient working environment for the staff. The fully equipped studio allows for setups to remain intact, saving valuable production time. The crew can easily switch between the different mobile pieces of equipment and backdrops, making multi-format shoots easier. The new setup cuts the ‘After the Gavel’ podcast’s production time from a few hours to merely 15 minutes.
And, it’s not just city-run programs benefiting from the studio. Partner organizations like the Novi Parks Foundation have used its facilities, and future plans include running live Q&A segments and acting as a hub for professional photography.
Importantly, the studio was developed without taxpayer funds, providing a big win for both, the staff who now have state-of-the-art facilities to work with, and the residents who now have easier access to local government communications. At present, the studio is exclusively used for city content production for the website, social media channels, and cable channels.
With this pivotal transformation, Novi is at the forefront of ushering in an era of ‘hyperlocal’ multimedia content. The next project in line, is to update the technologically outdated City Council chamber using PEG funds.
