Jackson Free Press

Tired of standing on that shaky box of wood, the sound of your voice becoming moisture laden with 90 percent (or more) humidity? Take a cue from June Hardwick and Stacia Glasgow, two Jackson women who have traded in their soggy stances for the air-conditioned studio of public access television. Both Hardwick and Glasgow produce shows for Public Education and Government (PEG) Network Studios. The shows alternate weekly time slots at 1:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Fridays on channel 18. Glasgow's "Candlewax Café" focuses on local visual, performance and literary arts, while Hardwick defines her "Village Drum" as more issue oriented.

"We discuss cultural issues, socio-political issues, that primarily address the African-American community as well as African Diaspora," said Hardwick, a first-year Mississippi College law student, adding, "My goal was to try to inform people about issues that are typically deemphasized in the mainstream media."

One topic that Hardwick highlighted was the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, which houses its national headquarters in Jackson. "It is a national community-based organization that obviously uses for its namesake Malcolm X who was a revolutionary and a prophet all in one," she said.

Hardwick's goal in airing the show was to point out that the process of standing up for equal rights is still going strong, both nationally and locally. "People have a lot of misconceptions of, for example, the grassroots movements—that once the civil rights movement ended, activism ended as well," she said.

A personal point of activism for Hardwick is the need for the arts in public schools. On one episode, "Village Drum" hosted a panel discussion advocating that arts be introduced into the public schools as early as kindergarten. "Basically we sought to demonstrate that the arts—literary, visual and performing—are relative and integral to education," she said.

Artists don't get free rein from the "Village Drum," however, as another show, which featured Souf State Connected, pointed out. Souf State Connected is a local hip-hop group whose lyrics feature street life. Hardwick wanted to emphasize the responsibility of musical artists to their listeners.

"Art and/or entertainment should consider their listening audience and how their lyrics will, in the long run, influence positively or negatively," she said.

While Hardwick's goals center around the difference between mainstream media and alternative sources, Glasgow's focuses on a difference of another type: that of the individual. "One of my biggest messages is to be true to you and what you can do. I think originality is the key."

A recent Jackson State graduate, with a major in mass communications, Glasgow started studying TV and pop culture at an early age. Entranced by "The Brady Bunch" as a child, her first solo in the church choir featured some Marcia Brady dance moves.

Glasgow wants "Candlewax Café" to focus on the "method behind the madness" of local artists by giving them the chance to present their work, as well as voice what it is about. The artists she has unearthed have surprised many viewers, Glasgow said. "A lot of people are like, 'Stacia, where do you find these people?' They're all right here in Jackson."

The first episode of "Candlewax Café" featured Hardwick who is also a poet. The discussion of the origins of poetry within the individual is one Glasgow will remember. "June said, 'You can't keep your gifts hostage,'" Glasgow said. "It set the tone for the rest of my season."

Glasgow, also a production assistant at P.E.G., has some pointers for those who want to produce their own show. The first step is becoming a certified producer. Eventually, P.E.G. plans to have certification classes. Until then, wannabes need to help out on current tapings on at least six different occasions.

Producers also need to develop a treatment, said Glasgow. The treatment needs to outline the objectives of the show and its production needs, right down to the details, including how many camera operatives are required.

Organization and using the skills of the crew are the keys to a good show, Glasgow said. "I wear a lot of hats on my show, but I couldn't do it all by myself." She also urges newbie producers to take time out for themselves and to meditate in order to maintain their focus.

Though producing your own show may sound like a lot of hard work, the benefits are great, according to Hardwick and Glasgow. They both cite audience inspiration and comprehension as some of the biggest rewards.

As in anything in life, Glasgow said, "What you put into it is what you get out of it." Look at it this way, having your own television show is a lot cooler than standing on the sidewalk and ranting and raving at passersby—drier, too.