I watched 2 episodes of the series Alternative Views, produced for Austin Community Television. The first was episode 30, “Marx and ‘socialism’ today, the promise betrayed?” Followed by episode 351. “Labor Struggles, Inside Views from the Bottom.” They were produced 10 years apart. Episode 30 is a talk show where the hosts interview a scholar from Yugoslavia who teaches at the University of Texas. They discuss how socialism works in the Eastern Block and how it differs in Yugoslavia, and how that version of socialism strays from the original liberatory ideas behind the movement. The next episode is more of a documentary, consisting of footage assembled from various labor groups around the country (such as interviews, picket lines, and people at work) to create a picture of the problems and success experienced by the labor movement at that time.

This series is often heralded as a success story of public access (see Hand-Held Visions, and Public Radio and Television in America). It is produced by volunteer community members for Austin’s cable access channel, but managed to gain popularity, and was played on access channels across the country. Episode 30 is made with extremely basic production techniques. A simple talk show, shot with only 2 cameras, cut together very awkwardly. It feels choppy, and the cameras are constantly zooming in and out. Episode 351, however, reveals a significant improvement in formal technique. While most of the footage was not shot by the Alternative Views crew, it shows how their popularity among the activist community allowed them to collaborate with producers in far flung regions to produce a compelling television documentary. Additionally the roll-in/theme song got a lot better.

Morrow Frank & Doug Kellner. Alternative Views. Austin Community Television, 1979 & 1988. Online, Archive.org.