HALIFAX – Eastlink TV is celebrating its Community TV programming volunteers who help to produce and share stories about the people, places and events that shape local communities.
First up is community programming mentor Steve Sleep (the programming director for Eastlink company Coast TV), who helps to train volunteers to create unique, compelling and entertaining local programming – whether it be lifestyle, sports or community events.
From his home on the Sunshine Coast, Sleep is the quintessential mentor, says the company. After graduating from Elphinstone Secondary School – where Coast TV supports a TV production class – he received technical training at CBC TV and eventually went on to work in the feature film industry before settling back in Gibsons, BC to work and raise a family.
Sleep has been helping to kick start the careers of young people interested in broadcasting for the past 30 years through his presence and tutelage at his Secondary School alma mater – Elphinstone – where Coast TV operations are located.
"If you visit a film set in Vancouver, you'll find one of our former students, almost guaranteed. If you visit a television station in Vancouver, you'll find one of our students there," Sleep said in a recent interview. "If you watch the Ellen DeGeneres Show, the TD (technical director) [Zach Greenberg] is a graduate of this program. He's the same guy who was the TD for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics."
When asked about the impact that Steve's mentorship had on him, Greenberg had this to say: "Few people in the world have the patience and unconditional dedication to teaching young minds as Steve does. He has continually helped inspire and give hope to the youth of our community, many of whom have gone on to do great things, thanks in large part to his influence."
"We are proud of each and every one of our volunteers, and their mentors, for their passionate commitment to our communities," said Eastlink CEO Lee Bragg, in the news release. "We'll be saluting them at various special events across our national serving area this week."
In photo: volunteers with community programming mentor Steve Sleep.
