Viewing page 115 of 129

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-113-

[[underlined]]Telecommunications Status Report[[/underlined]]

The Office of Telecommunications (OTC) develops ideas toward the production of programs and series for public and commercial television and radio, films, and related visual and audio material.  We currently have minimum staff and minor investment in the program but are proceeding to develop capabilities in this area.  The following types of activities have been pursued over the past twelve months:

--Bicentennial projects were a major concern.  In addition to working with outside producers, the Office created and supervised the production and distribution of television and radio public service announcements highlighting the Smithsonian Bicentennial activities.  More than 900 of the spots were distributed to commercial and public television and radio stations.  (Incidentally, one of the TV spots has been awarded a Silver Medal by the Virgin Islands International Film Festival.)  In addition, archival filming was done of the many Bicentennial exhibits and the visits of the numerous distinguished visitors.

--The proposed television weekly panel program, tentatively entitled "Would You Believe," for the Public Broadcasting Service is ready to go into a pilot stage.  The series, to be produced in cooperation with Station WETA-TV in Washington, is designed to stir the curiosity and intellect of the American public and is based upon objects drawn from the Institution's collections.  Dr. Froelich Rainey, former Director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia,