This collection was created in response to a “crie de coeur” from Tony Nuttall – in the wilds of Cumbria – who wrote: “… superb explanations of Operational Techniques [for Sound Synchronisation]… and how to achieve them. I do hope that there is some way of incorporating these [descriptions] for future Sound chaps… A fine example of a BBC member of staff who encompassed all of his BBC training/production experience etc etc to provide exemplary sound…”
As Bernie Newnham commented, “…Indeed. We used to do all kinds of complicated things to make something happen . There’s a chap on YouTube showing how to sync up multiple cameras in … DaVinci Resolve. A few clicks and it’s done. Even in the early part of the non-linear editing age I spend forever doing that stuff…”
The first entry in this collection is “Sound and Sound Synchronisation – How it used to be done in the pre-digital Era” with contributions from Alan Taylor and Pat Heigham.
Sound and Sound Synchronisation – How it used to be done in the pre-digital Era
A description of sound synchronisation with specific references to the BBC TV production of “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” (Alan Taylor) and the feature film musical “Fiddler on the Roof” (Pat Heigham).
Morris Dancers, Chuffing difficult Synchronised Sound
Whatever you thought of him, Stewart Morris was an ambitiously imaginative and innovative director who got things done that stretched the limits of the technology and abilities of the time. Included in this tale is a story of sound synchronisation in real time on an as-live recording – steam powered television production.
Tech Ops in the Golden Age of Television
Telecine operation (initially at least), sound boom operation, vision control – all part of Technical Operations. Here you can find personal reminiscences of people working in these areas in the 1960s or so.
What you need to be a Boom Operator
Pat Heigham has written a “Job Description” or “Engineering Monograph” on what you need to be an outstanding Boom Operator. Pat has variously been a Boom Operator and Grams Op in (live) Television and a Boom Operator and Production Mixer in (Feature) Films. Alan Taylor develops this theme, and both tell of situations when “problems” occurred.
Tech Ops in the 1980s
A video made by Jeff Naylor at John Barlow’s request to promote the camera department at various career events.
Technical Operations, Camera Section Management
An exchange of emails between Roger Bunce and Mike Jones concerning the history of the management structures for the management of the “Camera” Section of BBC Technical Operations.
Studio Planning
When the crew ambled into the studio from the tea bar after doing the rig – the first thing to do was to look at the studio floor plan to find out where the peds, cranes and booms were meant to be.
Riverside and R3
Garth Tucker took a walk in Hammersmith – and had his memories stirred, and stirred up memories from other people too.
APOLLO 11
Just because it was recently the anniversary of the first men on the moon.
Colour Supplement
A collection of interesting pictures.
