Get Started at Open Signal
Start your media journey! Whether you’re here to learn, connect, or create, there’s a place for you.
Take a class to learn new skills, become a Member to connect with community and access shared resources, and step into Producer status when you’re ready to create and share work using our studios and equipment. You can start wherever feels right to you.
We offer beginner-level classes that help you explore the fundamentals of media making — no previous experience or Open Signal membership required. ​Our classes operate on a sliding-scale fee, starting at $45 per session.
We also offer public events to explore media-making, storytelling, and creative tools. Learn more about our classes and register here.
Step 1: Learn
Take the next step in your journey by becoming a member. Your donation to become a Member helps sustain Open Signal and gives you access to shared workspaces, member events, and opportunities to stay connected with our vibrant community of media makers.
As a member you’re able to submit your independently-produced work for cable broadcast, reaching new audiences and sharing your stories with the world. We offer membership vouchers for those who cannot make a financial contribution at this time.
Make a donation here to start your membership, or reach out to our staff at info [at] opensignalpdx.org to request a voucher, no questions asked.
Step 2: Membership
When you’re ready to move from learning to creating, attend an Orientation to become an Open Signal producer. As a Producer, you get access to classes that focus on our library of professional production resources: Intro to Studio Production, Field Production with the Panasonic Camcorder, Editing with Final Cut Pro X. These classes certify you to check out professional equipment at no cost. That means broadcast-quality cameras, lighting kits, audio gear, editing laptops, and full television studios — without the rental fees you’d find at commercial rental houses.
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You’ll move your projects forward alongside our staff and fellow media makers using our library of community resources, and we’ll help you share your completed work with the world.
Start a web series, work on that documentary you've always wanted to make, film a music video — make it happen with the support of Open Signal's resource library and staff.
Step 3: Become a Producer
Open Signal broadcasts work made in our community 24 hours a day. Find citizen journalism, independent films and TV shows from local voices — add yours! Submit your content for television broadcast to broadcast it to the world. Watch on your TV screen or stream online.