Artists' Television Access

Meet Our Volunteers

Each month, we will feature interviews with the volunteer staff that make ATA possible, recognizing their work at ATA and their contribution to our vibrant artistic community.

Here are the first two interviews in this series. The first interview is with Anastasia Pahules who does fundraising and volunteer coordination, and the second is with Sam Manera who curates the window and does A/V tech.


ANASTASIA PAHULES

Can you tell us a little about your background prior to volunteering at ATA?

I’m originally from Arizona. I studied Linguistics at Arizona State University. After graduating I floundered around for a while and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Eventually, I joined the Peace Corps with my husband. We were Peace Corps volunteers for two years in Benin, West Africa. When we returned to the United States, we decided to move to Oakland for no reason in particular. While I was in Benin, I realized that I should make a career out of my lifelong love of film, so after we moved to Oakland I began applying for grad school. I eventually earned a MA in Cinema at San Francisco State.

How did you first become involved with ATA?

I heard about ATA from a friend and I started attending screenings while I was in grad school. After I discovered ATA, I knew I wanted to volunteer here. It’s such an interesting space and I’ve seen some incredible films here. At first I thought of volunteering as a way to watch free screenings, but I quickly became involved in the behind the scenes work here.

What do you do at ATA? And outside ATA?

I am one of two volunteer coordinators and am also a fundraising committee member at ATA. I love being a part of the fundraising committee because we essentially organize big parties, which is great. I also love that both of these roles allow me to meet a lot of very interesting people inside and outside of the organization. Outside of ATA, I work at SFMOMA as the Media Arts admin assistant. I am also producing a documentary and working in my spare time as a video editor. I also enjoy doing work as a script supervisor from time to time. Really, I just try to get experience in as many different things as possible. I’m usually game to help out with a compelling project.

What is your experience at ATA bringing to you both personally and professionally?

ATA is one of the few places where I really feel a sense of community. I love that ATA is an all volunteer organization, which means that every person here works simply out of their love of this organization. So, personally, I am gaining a community of people who are amazing, passionate, and interesting. I have also learned wonderful things from other volunteers and from being a part of ATA, such as Super 8 filmmaking and editing, event planning, and projection of a variety of media. Also, I have seen so many amazing films at ATA, which I would say has benefited me both personally and professionally. I love that ATA exposes me to a variety of art and artists, which would be tough to seek out otherwise.

What impact does ATA have in the community?

For artists and appreciators of art, it is rare to find a place as accessible as ATA. We welcome a variety of artists at different stages in their careers, and we have seen some amazing artists start out small at ATA, find their audience, and grow. It really is a welcoming and unassuming environment. I instantly felt comfortable at ATA. We also provide an amazing space for spectators to come and view art and film that isn’t easy to find, and at a very reasonable cost. ATA is really for everyone and we are able to keep the price of entry low because of the hard work of our volunteers. Also, I must mention that our art auction has allowed people to buy amazing works of art by well known artists for incredible prices. We really are just a conduit or liaison that keeps an open channel between art and the people.

What would you say is needed to be a volunteer here?

I think the key to volunteering at ATA is having a passion and respect for what ATA does. Sometimes it is difficult to put so much work into something as a volunteer, but what keeps me going is understanding that ATA is such an amazing community space for artists and art enthusiasts.

What is the craziest or coolest thing you have seen at ATA so far?

About a year ago, I saw a wonderful program of films, which included a few by Mike Kuchar. He spoke for a while afterward and I was glad I was there to see it. The craziest thing I have ever seen at ATA was when a Guy Overfelt piece sold for $100 at our last art auction. It was a steal and I was super excited for the person who bought it. One of the most fun nights of my life was spent at the ATA Winter Beach Formal in December 2011. Several amazing bands played that night, including Shannon and the Clams. We also watched hilarious beach movies from the 1960’s and had a rapid fire raffling off of tons of amazing prizes. Everyone was dressed in beach and/or formal attire and the space was decorated like a school dance. It was a blast!


SAM MANERA

Can you tell us a little about your background prior to volunteering at ATA?

I grew up in the southwest with a very traditional view of Art and mediums. I moved to SF in the 2004, and immediately I became taken by the experimental Film/Video, electronic and noise movements. My sister (Rachel Manera) is a part of the film making community and she introduced me to ATA. A few years later, she moved to Texas, but I’m still involved with ATA.

How did you first become involved with ATA?

About a year after moving to SF, I moved into an apartment about a block from ATA, Being a part of the art/film making community lead me to spend more time at ATA, helping out when ever I could. Feeling that I had been rewarded so much from ATA and the volunteers, whom I had become friends with, I enlisted for active volunteer duty in 2007.

What do you do at ATA? And outside ATA?

I started at ATA helping out with equipment and facilities maintenance. Mostly, A/V projects, repairs to the building, some graphic layouts, helping with screenings and other special events. Really anything, that sounds like a fun challenging project that contributes to ATA’s survival. Currently I have been programming the ATA Window Gallery for the past year. I am responsible for helping each monthly Artist install site specific work usually integrating video in some format.

Outside ATA…? I practice these personally and professionally. Beyond performing A/V Installer/technician and projectionist work, I create Images works in Film/Video/Photography and build electronic/video installations.

What is your experience at ATA bringing to you both personally and professionally?

I have had a very rewarding experience with ATA. I have met and at sometimes worked with so many amazing Volunteers. It’s definitely a family, with all of us having very different personal experiences with ATA. I have gained knowledge and skills while actively participating in a unique Artist environment.

What impact does ATA have in the community?

ATA has always been involved in the artist community. We raise consciousness by screening experimental, historical and political films. Most of the screenings at ATA are unique and could only be seen in a micro-cinema.

What would you say is needed to be a volunteer here?

Dedication and desire to spread personal film making throughout the mega media strangled human masses.

What is the craziest or coolest thing you have seen at ATA?

That’s a tough one… I would have to say our ATA parties, fundraisers and film/video festivals have always been a blast. I think its even more fun for the volunteers than our patrons.


Volunteer with ATA!

ATA is looking for volunteers to help with our Gallery and our Screenings. Volunteers run screenings, organize events, curate shows, and get stuff done. Volunteers can come to any ATA show for free. We need people who are creative and reliable.

Email [email protected] and become a part of something good.


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