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Managing Editor CHICOPEE It could be a tour bus for a rock band from its elaborately decorated exterior, but instead the C-SPAN Campaign 2008 bus that rolled into the city last week was much more a mobile television studio that with the addition of a satellite truck could broadcast from almost anywhere in the country. The public affairs cable channel has two such buses crossing the country, Rachel Katz, a marketing representative for C-SPAN, explained. While the buses are used for broadcasting they made the rounds to various debates during the primaries they also tour the country publicizing what C-SPAN does, she said. The front half of the bus is a set designed for interviews, she said. Three robotic cameras are in that area, along with another camera outside. There are backdrops that can be rearranged, if necessary. The back half of the bus is the control center where the director and other personnel can produce the broadcasts. The two buses will be making their way to Denver, Colo., and the Democratic Conventions and the Republican Convention in Minneapolis, Minn., Katz said. She said that when the buses are making an appearance in a community they draw a lot of attention. The bus was parked in Chicopee at the library on Front Street and was sponsored by Charter Communications. Katz also said the bus attracts people who wish to talk politics and at the Chicopee appearance, Melvin Brown, a resident known for his remarks at public meetings, was doing just that. C-SPAN has had such buses since 1993, Katz said, and after the election they will be given a new name. The next stop for the bus was an appearance in Buffalo, N.Y., she added. | ||||||
