sorry too busy with php issues to edit properly, but the basic idea is there :)

Like my twitter messages, I'll start at the end and work backwards:

At the tip of the iceburg, I would put together a nation-wide network of "affiliates" who are active in PATV (public access tv). This network would both develop localized content of it's own, but also broadcast each other's content (tv shows:)

And I would build this network with every freely available resource at my disposal (task one: make a list :) -- such as open-source software, free web resources of all varieties. storage, social networking sites, Meetup (especially), college interns, Twitter(especially -- simply in the hope that some of it's buzz rubs off on you. Journalists will be looking for interesting stories on off-shoots from Twitter. Perhaps you can be one of them :)   

The power to, in effect, broadcast nationally, is not only, well, powerful, but it is also a great selling point.

The basic approach is quite simple:

You are basically a content producer and broadcaster.

You start to build your first network node in Chicago. You establish a presence on Twitter(media org name), A CMS(Drupal) site, A MeetUp tied to a CANTV show -- that is tied to a cause.

Soon afterwards, or perhaps in parallel, you leverage one of your omidyar contacts in LA -- i don't know, l bet amortation would have what it takes :) -- she shot some video. Not bad. She has a good, fuzzy, rap. Her words convey a person in constant motion. She would probably be a good asset -- assumming political-power issues don't arise.

But in a pinch, any warm body in LA -- who can sign-up for public-access as a content provider, and submit your videos -- will establish your presence there :)

Once that is done, you can then honestly say that you have an affiliate in LA (do you have an cousins, aunt or uncle in NY? DC? :) -- you can broadcast your content in several different markets.

Another aspect of this would be with MeetUp and it's tie-in with PATV and a cause.

A great "generic" cause would be to produce a "News" show -- manned by interns recruted from local universities. Could you see yourself selling your cause to idealistic journalism majors? Their efforts in exchange for national exposure?

I'd recruit interns who would track voting records of elected officials. publish this info on a website. Tie this info to MeetUp members, and provide them with the tools email their concerns -- as a group -- to their local represenators.

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Perhaps your first stab at content would be i the form of short, 30 second public service type commercials. Do so by simply copying the format of actual, effective commercials that appeal to you.

Record a bunch of them. Then grab a pen and paper and simply deconstruct them into their elemental components. Note colors and type face. the number and length of each camera shot. Do storyboards to, at the very least, block out the basic composition -- and them simply duplicate and adapt these elements in your work.

That alone will get you 75% there.

If you happen to know somebody with a beautiful voice -- let her do the voice-overs :)

If you need additional talent: do a casting call on Craig's list, and or create a short video production group on MeetUp -- that meet at CANTV studios -- you just have to look smart and relaxed -- like you've done this before -- fake it till you make it, and by the second time, you will have :)

And then when you attempt to sell your ideas to others, you talk about leveraging the nation wide network, and you show them your little 30 second movies. Let them hear her voice ... perhaps then will they see the potential :)

And, of course, what you learn along the way, what you learned in Chicago, you edit down into an instruction manual. A franchise instruction manual of sorts. Which is what it will be in fact.

And that franchise will be virial :)