![\"A_Lament_for_TVC__001\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/A_Lament_for_TVC__001.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFrom Reception to the Studios ..<\/p>\n
Ian went on the Open House Visit to Television Centre on the 20th September 2014. (words by Alec Bray \u2013 hope Ian does not mind \u2026)<\/p>\n The studios are empty. The sets are struck and gone, No cables figure-eighted for the cranes and peds to pull, Bare walls are all we\u2019re left with \u2013 soon they will be destroyed. I came to Telly Centre – \u00a0a young man straight from school The studios are empty. The dramas bled away, The studios are empty, the audience long gone, The Gallery glow\u2019s a ghostly blue but no directors rant or rave The studios are empty. \u00a0Talkback cans not needed here – The studios are empty now. There\u2019s no echo \u2013 there\u2019s no sound \u2013 In the collection of TVC shots featuring lifeless studios filled with Auction Items… the attached shot looks to me like the final turn in the Inner Ring Road down by what became TC8.<\/p>\n I deliberately did not go to the ‘last visit’ as I wished to remember TVC in the wonderful 1960s when I was happy working there.<\/p>\n The empty studio photos – I was half expecting the Tardis to materialise in the middle!<\/p>\n I am in touch with fellow sound colleagues (although now retired for a number of years), and hear horrendous stories of trying to shoot useable sound in old warehouses and hangers which are cheap to hire and in which to build sets (great under the Heathrow flightpath and in the rain!).<\/p>\n Such a pity to think that a perfect purpose-built facility is just thrown away by non-technical people who haven’t a clue how to produce TV and films. It is my belief that the accountants decided to charge programmes for the technical facilities, but the budgets didn’t reflect this, so producers went outside to competitive venues, thus the studios at TVC fell into disuse (TC1 being used as a scene store!)<\/p>\n A great pity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Background 20th September 2014 – London – Open House Final Visit to Television Centre – the world’s first purpose built TV studios. The studios are clustered around the famous circular central building, designed by Graham Dawbarn in 1960, and the … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\nIan Moody<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nPictures here are from Ian Moody’s Face Book Page.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe cranes and cameras derigged, \u00a0the lighting pale and wan.
\nThe tracking ladders rubbed out, the wax marks on the floor
\nHave gone and so have Racks, and Sparks and microphones \u00a0\u2013 and more \u2026<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNo cables hitched to yellow rails, no caption rolls to spool \u2026
\nNo make up girls with scented hankies wafting in the air,
\nNo actors, dancers, scenemen, FMs – \u00a0no commissionaire …<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe television factory made progs we all enjoyed \u2013
\nA made-for-purpose centre, with everything to hand \u2013
\nBut going, gone, it\u2019s in the past, the whole place now is canned.<\/p>\n
\nTo BBC TV Tech Ops where quality would rule –
\nThe BBC! The Best in World for Camera work and Sound,
\nA monument to this you want \u2013 just take a look around
\nthe programmes made by Tech Ops crews with cameramen Mike Bond,
\nRon Green, Geoff Feld, Dave Mutton too, Jim Atkinson, beyond
\nthe credits \u2013 never known to viewers sat at home \u2013
\nas shots were tracked and craned and zoomed and mic booms raised and roamed.<\/p>\n
\nThe LE \u201cshiny floor\u201d shows still go out on Saturday
\nFrom Elstree, Pinewood, Ealing (yes!) \u2013 from anywhere but here
\nThat\u2019s purpose-build, a decent size \u2013 equipped with all the gear\u2026<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMusicians packed their music stands, the singer\u2019s sung her song.
\nThe mixing desk has faded down, the VM cut to black –
\nConsigned to Tech Ops stories – \u00a0what\u2019s the use of looking back?<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\norchestrating shots and shows the viewing public craved.
\nFirst Drama fled, then serials \u2013 producer choice to blame? –
\nThe studios are empty now. \u00a0It is a crying shame.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNo AFMs to call the cast, the dressing rooms are clear.
\nThe tea bars serve no coffee, the crew rooms now deserted
\nlike all of Telly Centre \u00a0– a decision quite perverted.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe Beeb has \u00a0lost \u2013 destroyed \u2013 its grand Theatre in the round.
\nThe icon\u2019s smashed \u2013 bean counters won the game,
\nWhatever it becomes the site can never be the same.<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
Tony Crake<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPat Heigham<\/strong><\/h3>\n