++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n
8 mm Projector and Film<\/h2>\n
Gary Critcher had a picture of a Eumig P8 projector. This led to futher comments and to Pat Heigham describing how he put together his -er – illicit 8mm film of the “Black & White Minstrel Show”.<\/p>\n
What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In 1964 there was a series on BBC 2 called “Best of Both Worlds” which featured big orchestras from both sides of the Atlantic, and was produced and directed by Yvonne Littlewood.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n It started as a discussion about the quality of the live parts of “EastEnders” during the anniversary week, but quickly moved on to Ultra High Definition (UHD), 4K and 16K.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n This is not<\/i><\/b> about black and white Television!<\/p>\n E.L. James, the author of “50 Shades of Grey”, is the daughter of the late Alistair Mitchell, known universally as Mitch, who was a long serving cameraman and latterly supervisor with London BBC OBs.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n It’s a Saturday in the sixties, it’s twelve o’clock – it must be “Grandstand”!<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What musicians were there in the group? Someone would have had a swannee whistle if nothing else!<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n From the “Birmingham Mail” Poldark Original Actors<\/a>:<\/p>\n ” … the benchmark for the period drama was actually set in 1975, when the first series was screened. And although all the sex and scandal happened in 18th century Cornwall, the series was actually made in Birmingham. Poldark, which ran from 1975 to 1977, was a BBC Pebble Mill production and all the interior scenes was shot at the Birmingham studios…<\/p>\n It was watched by 15 million people in Britain and aired in 40 countries around the world…”<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Um…. \u00a0\u201cThe Adventures of Robin Hood\u201d was commissioned by Lew Grade, filmed by Sapphire Films Ltd for ITC Entertainment and shown on ATV. \u00a0Not live or telerecorded, not BBC – shouldn\u2019t be here \u2026 \u00a0 However, there was a lot of interest in the signature tune (and so on) on the Tech Ops mailing list \u2026<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n One of the Christmas VT tapes had a very inventive sequence shot by VT guys of a Dalek chatting up a 2″ VTR.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What has happened to some of the artwork produced for the BBC and BBC programmes with the destruction of OBH and TC.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In the days when OBs and lines could be problematic, the Beeb had made a highly detailed model of Big Ben\u2019s clock face, about three feet tall, to cope with any unexpected line failure(s) on a New Years Eve.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A TO’s life could never be boring – could it? Things to keep you occupied…<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A number of points made about topics covered in previous conversations but which were received after the conversations had been published. Comments cover:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n “Whirligig”, Mr. Turnip, Hank and Silver King – Saturday at 5 pm-ish<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Wires that should go from here to there sometimes go from erehwon to somewhere else.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Some pictures of the mad destruction of an iconic building.<\/p>\n What people said and saw…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A bit of a mixed bag, this topic. Some episodes of “Dick Barton” were transmitted in stereo on Radio 4 in the 1970s. This led on to a discussion about binaural sound and stereo sound – and some of the (early) experiments in stereo\/binaural transmission that were made by the BBC.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Here with a bank of faders set up well, What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A page of miscellaneous ephemera.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n There was already a thread concerning the expenses paid to TOs and crews generally: and then this happened …<\/p>\n Jeremy Clarkson was furious to find that there was no hot meal available when he returned from a drinking session at a nearby pub. Clarkson complained it was \u201cridiculous there was noting to eat\u201d and that the producer had not done his job properly. After a 40-minute rant, Clarkson punched producer Oisin Tymon in the face after he had sworn at him and referred to him as a \u201clazy Irish\u201d.<\/p>\n Tech Ops people also found there were times when no food was available.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n To the Falklands by Hercules.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n From fighter pilot to Technical Operator.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The power supplies in foreign countries, especially in India, with some other observations.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Sound Supervisor.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Access to an article in “Ariel” which says “goodbye” to the EMI 2001 – the cameraman’s camera.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Classic phrases uttered on talkback – or on transmission for that matter.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Or walk across the production and\/or mixing desk if there is no other way out …<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In the days of theatre-type (multicamera) live (or recorded as live) drama, actors, cameramen (and trackers) and boom operators (and trackers) were often rushing from set to set to get the next shot. It was very important for the actors and actresses to be able to know their lines – and to hit their marks. The vast majortiy of television actors and actresses in the golden years of television were very good indeed in terms of these “mechanics”.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Early in the 1960s, Vision Mixers \u2013 who had been part of the studio Tech Ops crews \u2013 were moved over into Production. So for a couple of decades, the studio crews were exclusively male. Any ladies who crossed our path, especially those we poked cameras at or fumbled with microphones around, obviously caught our attention.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Tracking and using Mic booms, and differences in techniques between television and film.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Different types of old microphones and a gun mic story.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n More about the discovery of asbestos in the Television Centre studios and its aftermath.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Cameramen and characters.<\/p>\n A timid TO glanced in a studio where crew 5 were working one day, and there were two<\/strong> guys holding up Jim’s cable from the floor, so there would be no drag – and no sound of the cable being dragged, either.<\/p>\n Here are stories told by those who worked with Jim and Frank.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cards…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Cue sniff. Cue Jack. “Evenin’ all…”<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n “… The credit \u201cProduced by Stewart Morris\u201d was the final caption on hundreds of BBC light entertainment programmes from 1958 to 1992.<\/p>\n But every programme with Morris was a rollercoaster ride …”<\/p>\n said The Independent.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n “Z-Cars” in 1964 – and the “Z-Cars” signature tune.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n WARNING:<\/i><\/b> This page may offend some people.<\/p>\n This is a section of a script from a Freddie Starr show originally shown on BBC TV back in the 1970s. The irony is, the BBC received not one complaint.<\/p>\n That was then …<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n This is about incidents from the 1980s – and on oil rigs and oil platforms \u2013 outside of the default Tech Ops website timeframe.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Photos from TO courses, in the crew rooms, in the gallery and on set.<\/p>\n Photos and comments…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Tech Ops discuss the error-ridden book by Jean Seaton – meant to be part of the official history of the BBC (and the nation) between 1974 and 1987.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Was a \u201cdouble-ender\u201c a cord with two PO jacks at each end for use on a jack field (or just any cable with two male plugs)?<\/p>\n The BBC used the D&S plug, with its self-removing fuse pin, perhaps to prevent something like a vacuum cleaner being used on tech supplies.<\/p>\n There were lots of different plugs and sockets in use during our time. Here is a discussion of just some of them.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Discussion on aspects of Producer Choice and an aside on the effect on one aspect of BBC Outsourcing in 2004-ish.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Demolition of Riverside Studios: nothing left recognisable AT ALL!<\/p>\n This prompted memories of working at Riverside.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Two ladies from the sound empire in a costume drama.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n “Call the Midwife” has a scene\/set where there is a railway bridge – and occasionally a train rumbles over it. But a steam engine with FIVE tenders?<\/p>\n “EastEnders” has a prominent London Underground bridge (and tube station) in or near Albert Square, and at various times trains appear to cross the bridge.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Should the “PlaySchool” Clock be operated by the Sparks, because it was electrical, or was it a prop? In the nineteen seventies there was a lot of unrest, manifested in Union activity: when one TO joined in Feb 1978 all he seemed to do was to spend the first few Decembers on strike or working to rule.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Did TC1 ever work 405 lines (B&W) or was it always 625 lines?<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n In response to a question from one former Tech Op, the “AP Shift System” is described – however, not everyone who worked at Ally Pally worked the AP Shift system (although Pres in TC did!)<\/p>\n Alternative shift systems are described and compared to the AP Shift.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n An ironic title for this section, as it discusses the paucity and poor quality of training for directors nowadays. Bring back the Practical Production Exercises – all is forgiven …<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The BBC Micro was a game changer in British schools of the 1980s, and is part of the reason that the UK is such a big player in the computer games industry.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n AP had studios A and B, But where was Studio C?<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Pictures taken on the occasion of the now wiped TOTP performance of \u201cPaperback Writer\u201d and \u201cRain\u201d, 16th June 1966 in TC2.<\/p>\n Pictures and comments…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The Goons sang I\u2019m Walking Backwards to Christmas<\/em>.<\/p>\n There have been occasions when the telerecording has been run backwards on purpose (or not?).<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n There are a number of unused London Underground stations – and there are some “secret” London Underground stations, too. No wonder stories about them abound.<\/p>\n Now, what exactly was underneath old Broadcasting House?<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Useful notices to keep prying fingers out of the innards.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Many of our grandparents (parents, even) and other ancient relatives grew up in a time before television \u2013 before indoor toilets, electricity, aeroplanes, cars \u2026 and not surprisingly some were slightly hazy about the technicalities and conventions of the new medium.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Rather off topic, this, but it was an interesting thread which came about as a result of a discussion about a painfully ungrammatical sign at TC.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Wood Lane was a busy road in the 1960s, even more so latterly. Add in the rattle of the Metropolitan l Sometimes it was difficult to exclude all the noise.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n More about Wood Norton Hall – and what we got up to.<\/p>\n What people said…<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n A 20 Hz sine wave walked into a bar. ————————— ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tech Ops people have been emailing about any and all aspects of BBC programming \u2013 current sound and picture quality, quality of content and comparisons with BBC reality and the spoof \u201cW1A\u201d \u2013 it is sometimes difficult to tell the … Continue reading “Best of Both Worlds”\u00a01964<\/h2>\n
“EastEnders” Live Quality (Feb 2015)<\/h2>\n
“Fifty Shades of Grey”<\/h2>\n
“Grandstand” Memories<\/h2>\n
“PlaySchool” and “Playaway” Musicians<\/h2>\n
“Poldark” – the original version (1975 to 1977)<\/h2>\n
\u201cThe Adventures of Robin Hood\u201d<\/h2>\n
A Dalek looks at VT<\/h2>\n
Art at the BBC<\/h2>\n
Big Ben Model<\/h2>\n
Boredom on set?<\/h2>\n
Catch Up on Previous Conversations (July 2015)<\/h2>\n
\n
Children’s TV in the 1950s<\/h2>\n
Crossed Lines<\/h2>\n
Destruction at Television Centre<\/h2>\n
Dick Barton, Stereo and Binaural Sound<\/h2>\n
Drink in the Mix(er)<\/h2>\n
\nA cup of coffee, script and score – oh hell!
\nReaching for another fader under stress –
\nThe drink is in the mix – a total mess.<\/p>\nEphemera<\/h2>\n
Expenses … when the food is available<\/h2>\n
Falklands \u2013 and Noel Edmonds<\/h2>\n
Familiar Face(s)<\/h2>\n
Foreign Powers<\/h2>\n
George Ageros<\/h2>\n
Goodbye to the EMI 2001<\/h2>\n
Heard on Talkback<\/h2>\n
I Walk the Line<\/h2>\n
Learn your Lines and Hit your Marks<\/h2>\n
Lovely Ladies<\/h2>\n
Mic Boom Experiences<\/h2>\n
Microphones<\/h2>\n
More about Asbestos in TC<\/h2>\n
More About Jim Atkinson and Frank Wilkins<\/h2>\n
More Cards<\/h2>\n
\n
More Memories of Dock Green Nick<\/h2>\n
More Stewart Morris Stories<\/h2>\n
More “Z-Cars”<\/h2>\n
Not for the oosily effended<\/h2>\n
Oil be oil right<\/h2>\n
People in Photos<\/h2>\n
Personalities \u2013 The Crew (and others)<\/h2>\n
\n
Personalities \u2013 The Talent – 2<\/h2>\n
\n
Pinkoes and Traitors<\/h2>\n
Plugs and sockets bonanza<\/h2>\n
Producer Choice and BBC Outsource<\/h2>\n
Riverside Destruction<\/h2>\n
Sound Ladies in Costume<\/h2>\n
Strange (CGI) Trains in Programmes<\/h2>\n
Striking Seventies – and the “PlaySchool” Clock<\/h2>\n
TC1 B&W 405 and 625<\/h2>\n
The AP Shift Pattern<\/h2>\n
The Art of Direction – 2<\/h2>\n
The BBC Micro<\/h2>\n
The Mythical Studio C<\/h2>\n
\nLG had Studios D, E, F, G and H (although F was a scene store).<\/p>\nToehold on Sound<\/h2>\n
![\"toeOnsound_1\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/toeOnsound_1-300x198.png\")
<\/p>\nTOTP – \u201cPaperback Writer\u201d<\/h2>\n
Travelling Backwards<\/h2>\n
Unused and mythical London Underground Stations<\/h2>\n
Warnings and Notices to put on Machines<\/h2>\n
When Television was Young and the Audience was Old<\/h2>\n
Where in TC is this parked?<\/h2>\n
![\"where_1\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/where_1-300x223.png\")
<\/p>\nWill, Shall, Show and Shewn<\/h2>\n
We stop the Mighty Roar of London\u2019s Traffic<\/h2>\n
\nine (as it was then) trains rocking and rolling down to the Bush and then past Lime Grove (although the trains are now (2015) brand new and the line has been rebranded back to the “Hammersmith and City” line (the “hot and cold” of old)).<\/p>\nWood Norton Hall Club Guide and Accommodation D Block<\/h2>\n
<\/h1>\n
And Finally …<\/h2>\n
\nThe barman asked: \u201cHey, why the long phase?\u201d
\nThe 20 Hz Wave answered: “I’m feeling sinusoidal, right out of ports*, must be something to do with my period\u201d,
\nbut \u00a0the Barman didn’t like her tone.<\/p>\n
\nthanks to<\/i> Warwick Cross, John Howell, Barry Bonner, Philip Tyler et al<\/i>
\n*IT rather than TO – sorry …<\/p>\n<\/h1>\n
<\/h1>\n
![\"ianfootersmall\"](\"http:\/\/tech-ops.co.uk\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/ianfootersmall-300x104.jpg\")
<\/p>\n