++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n
Biddy Baxter and Blue Peter<\/h1>\n
\u201cBlue Peter\u201d was first aired on 16 October 1958. It had been commissioned to producer John Hunter Blair by Owen Reed, the head of children’s programmes at the BBC, as there were no programmes in existence that catered for children aged between five and eight.<\/p>\n The “Blue Peter” is used as a maritime signal, indicating that the vessel flying it is about to leave, and Reed chose the name to represent ‘a voyage of adventure’ on which the programme would set out. Hunter Blair also pointed out that blue was a child’s favourite colour, and Peter was the common name of a typical child’s friend.<\/p>\n What people said<\/a>……<\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Lime Grove Studios was originally a film studio built by the Gaumont Film Company in 1915. The BBC took it over in 1949 as its main production base. Though Television Centre took over that role in the early sixties, Lime Grove was used by the BBC until 1991. It was demolished in 1993 in order to build homes – Gaumont Terrace on Gainsborough Close.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n From the list….<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Doctor Who first appeared on BBC1 television on Saturday, 23 November 1963. It has turned into world wide cult sci-fi viewing for millions.<\/p>\n What people said…..<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In the years when cameras were large and much of the BBCs drama and light entertainment were made in studios, the BBC would from time to time rent one of two very large camera cranes. The Chapman Hercules was mainly used on exterior locations for films such as Lawrence of Arabia. In the studio it was seriously cumbersome but took the camera far higher than anything else available. Another crane, known at the BBC as the Transatlantic, was slightly smaller, but had the advantage of being more flexible because of its front and rear steering. It was last seen as a main exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image in London, now long closed.<\/p>\n What people said…..<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n BBC2 was the third British television station to be launched (starting on 20 April 1964), and from 1 July 1967, Europe’s first television channel to broadcast regularly in colour. It was originally envisaged as a home for less mainstream and more ambitious programming.<\/p>\n What people said…..<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Background<\/p>\n Technical stuff now. The US and one or two other countries broadcast in standard definition on 525\/60. The UK and much of the broadcast in 625\/50 – 625 lines of picture in two interlaced fields of 50 per second, making 25 frames per second.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n BBC TV Tech Ops staff lists \u2026 and everyone had a staff number …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n in 1936 Ally Pally became the home of the world’s first regular public “high-definition” television service, operated by the BBC. The original studios ‘A’ and ‘B’ still survive in the south-east wing with their producers’ galleries and are used for exhibiting original historical television equipment.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n \u201cAn Adventure in Space and Time\u201d was a British television docudrama commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the science fiction series “Doctor Who”. It was supposed to tell the story of its creation, but unfortunately contained lots of factual errors, especially on the technical side.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Many of us worked with The Beatles – especially at the height of Beatlemania. This page mainly dicusses the CAMERAS that were used!<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Following on from the discussion of the Beatles and the studio cameras used, here is some more about cameras, their mountings and cables from a variety of locations.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n If a studio was equipped for colour recording, would all programmes from that studio have been made in colour? Would some programmes have been made in monochrome before the start of regular clour broadcasting?<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Crew 3 and crew 9 Christmas Cards …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Ampex released a colour machine which could perform edits electronically, and called this the “Editech” system: the idea was that a production could play back a scene and go directly into “Record”.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In sound recording and reproduction, equalization is the process commonly used to alter the frequency response of an audio system using linear filters. Equalizers, “adjust the amplitude of audio signals at particular frequencies,” so they are, “in other words, frequency-specific volume knobs”.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What interview or exam questiosn would you present to potential Tech nical Operator recruits><\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Before the days of “celebrity chefs”, some chefs became celebrities.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The BBC moved into the theatre in 1979. The first programme was made there on 23rd September 1979.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The BBC ran week-long induction courdes for all technical staff. These were usually based at “The Langham”, at this time (1960s-1970s) used as offices by the BBC – as near to Broadcasting House as possible!<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The merits (or otherwise) of different types of Microphone booms – and stories related to the use of mic booms.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The BBC’s \u201cMogul\u201d<\/i>, retitled \u201cThe Troubleshooters\u201d<\/i> after its first season, followed the globe-trotting exploits of Peter Thornton, Australian field agent for Mogul Oil, run by the hard-nosed Brian Stead.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n There were probably more stories told about the Mole Richardspon camera crane than about any other single piece of equipment …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Joan Marsden was a BBC floor manager known to all as ‘Mother’ (or, to a select few as \u2018mum,\u2019) (including prime ministers!).<\/p>\n OK, we are into Mother stories now!<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In 1968 the BBC provided a few nylon overalls for Tech Ops personnel …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Including a “Jazz 625” picture and Dinky Toys …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n “Our World” was the first live, international, satellite television production, which was broadcast on 25 June 1967. Creative artists, including The Beatles, opera singer Maria Callas, and painter Pablo Picasso \u2014 representing nineteen nations \u2014 were invited to perform or appear in separate segments featuring their respective countries. The two-and-half-hour event had the largest television audience ever up to that date.<\/p>\n Today, it is most famous for the segment from the United Kingdom starring The Beatles. They sang their specially composed song “All You Need Is Love” to close the broadcast.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n see also:<\/em> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Including<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n CPS Emitron versus 4.5 in Image Orthicons – and other aspects of picture quality.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n \u201cPlay School\u201d was a British children’s television series produced by the BBC which ran from 21 April 1964 until 11 March 1988. Devised by Joy Whitby, it accidentally became the first ever programme to be shown on the fledgling BBC2 after a power cut halted the opening night’s programming (and later it became the first children’s programme to be shown in colour by that channel).<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A collection of photos recording a gathering to celebrate 50 years of \u201cPlay School\u201d<\/p>\n Roger Bunce’s photos ……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n “That’s a wrap … ”<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n On the fourth floor of Television Centre, in the central wedge between TC3 and TC4, a control room on each side of a central corridor each looked into a studio, the two built side by side. These were presentation studios and were known by all as Pres A and Pres B. T<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Including:<\/p>\n amongst others …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Her Majesty the Queen visited Television Centre on 2 November 1961 to mark the 25th birthday of the Corporation. Her Majesty met the cast of \u201cCrackerjack\u201d with Eamonn Andrews.<\/p>\n HM The Queen Visit” href=”http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/?p=2774\/”> What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Had to go to Stores during the rig to get stuff – and camera tape.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Some studios had tanks which could be filled with water to film or telerecord action on the waves.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In 1954, Riverside studios were acquired by the BBC for its television service. The studios was in continuous use until the early 1970s, the rooftop camera position providing one of the highlights of the annual University Boat Race each Easter Saturday.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n (PS remember “Tales of the Riverbank”?)<\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The BBC used to have training programmes for Directors: the practical Production Excercises were an opportunity to crew down to give experience to the newer members of the crew. Not all directors seemed to benefit from the experience …<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The camerawork of the Tech Ops crews on both drame ands LE shows aimed to complement the performances of the artisites (the talent) and to enhance the whole production.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n \u201cTop of the Pops\u201d began on New Year’s Day 1964 in Studio A on Dickenson Road in Rusholme, Manchester, then moved to London, firstly to TC2 and then to LG Studio G.<\/p>\n Many inserts to TOPT have been lost, but one – David Bowie “The Jean Genie” – has been found!<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Irvine Brooks found a couple of his old childhood books which featured \u2019Television’ … These books had an amazing effect: although Irvine already knew what he wanted to do for a career by the age of 7, these books helped preserve his enthusiasm.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n VT collected together the faux-pass and slips, miss takes and mistakes, and made up each year a Christmas entertainment tape.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The 2-inch ‘quad’ Ampex (and RCA) machines were housed (originally) in the basement at the BBC Television Centre, the idea being that the cable runs to each studio were kept as short as possible.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Louis Barfe suggested the idea of a VT Tea mug for Tech Ops. Gary Critcher suggested that Tech Ops photograph the mugs in as many far flung locations as possible.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Memories of audience warm-up routines. Get the ausience in the right mood to laugh at the appropriate times – no cue cards for thw audience in the 1960s at the BBC.<\/p>\n Warm Ups” href=”http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/?p=2871\/”> What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Wind Ups” href=”http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/?p=2881\/”> What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n After the Second World War, war, Wood Norton Hall became the home of the BBC Engineering Training Department. During the Cold War it was designated as a broadcasting centre in the event of a nuclear attack. The BBC retained purpose-built facilities in the grounds for technical training after selling the Hall, which became a hotel.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n \u201cThe Year of the Sex Olympics\u201d was a 1968 television play made by the BBC and first broadcast on BBC2 as part of Theatre 625. It starred Leonard Rossiter, Tony Vogel, Suzanne Neve and Brian Cox.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A drama series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby, Merseyside. It started in January 1962 and ran until September 1978.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length (and thus angle of view) can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens.<\/p>\n What people said……<\/a><\/p>\n You start off doing one thing, and somehow other stuff just comes along…… When I started the tech-ops site, it was meant to be a home for picture and stories that might not otherwise ever be shown or told. A … Continue reading ![\"Biddy](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Biddy-Baxter-300x218.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBackground<\/h3>\n
Life at Lime Grove<\/h1>\n
![\"LimeGroveStudios\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/LimeGroveStudios-300x151.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBackground<\/h2>\n
BBC Tech Ops Interviews<\/h1>\n
Doctor Who Stories<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Chapman Hercules and other Camera Cranes<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h3>\n
BBC2 Opening Night<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h3>\n
525 lines 60 cycles<\/h1>\n
Staff Lists and Staff Numbers<\/h1>\n
Alexandra Palace television station<\/h1>\n
“An Adventure in Space and Time” – Errors<\/h1>\n
With the Beatles<\/h1>\n
Cameras, Mounts and Cables<\/h1>\n
Colour-equipped Studio but B&W Transmission<\/h1>\n
More Crew Christmas Cards<\/h1>\n
Editech<\/h1>\n
EQ = equalisation<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Potential Tech Ops recruits EXAM Questions<\/h1>\n
Fanny v Delia<\/h1>\n
General Memories<\/h1>\n
The Greenwood Theatre<\/h1>\n
In The Gallery<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
![\"Gallery_1\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Gallery_1-300x235.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nInduction Courses<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Mike Booms<\/h1>\n
Mogul – Troubleshooters<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Mole Cranes<\/h1>\n
Mother<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Nylon Overalls<\/h1>\n
Outside Broadcasts, Mast, Aerials and more …<\/h1>\n
“Our World” – 1967<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
\nOur World – All You Need Is Love (2)<\/a>
\nfor info received after this page was initially published.<\/p>\nPersonalities<\/h1>\n
\n
Picture Quality<\/h1>\n
“Play School”<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
50 years of “Play School”<\/h1>\n
Post Programme Parties<\/h1>\n
More stories of Pres A and Pres B<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Programme stories<\/h1>\n
\n
HM The Queen Visit to TVC – 1961<\/h1>\n
Sound Stories<\/h1>\n
Stores Stories<\/h1>\n
Studio Tanks<\/h1>\n
Tales of the Riverside<\/h1>\n
Tape Loops<\/h1>\n
The Art of Direction<\/h1>\n
The Developing Camera Shot<\/h1>\n
\u201cThe Next Tonight will be Tomorrow Night\u2026\u201d<\/h1>\n
![\"Tonight_1\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Tonight_1-300x225.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTop of The Pops<\/h1>\n
TVC In Words and Pictures<\/h1>\n
Vinten Cranes (Motorised, Heron and Peregrine)<\/h1>\n
VT Entertainment Tapes<\/h1>\n
\n
VT Stories<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
VT Tea<\/h1>\n
Warm Ups<\/h1>\n
Wind Ups<\/h1>\n
TO Training at Wood Norton Hall (Evesham)<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
“Year of the Sex Olympics”<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
“Z Cars”<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
Zoom Lenses<\/h1>\n
Background<\/h2>\n
\n++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n <\/h1>\n
![\"ianfootersmall\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall-300x104.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"