Forum for former BBC staff

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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> TVC nostalgia and stories http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1365959842 Message started by Maggie on Apr 14^th, 2013, 5:18pm

Title: TVC nostalgia and stories
Post by Maggie on Apr 14^th, 2013, 5:18pm

INVITATION

Following the recent BBC transmission of a programme called "Goodbye TVC" which featured Michael Grade and several celebrities, a certain amount of verbal feedback reveals that many viewers feel very let down by the relatively superficial view which was portrayed.

Undoubtedly, celebrities are the very “face” of broadcasting which has helped to spread the splendid reputation of the BBC worldwide. However, like an iceberg, they represent only the tip that can be seen above the surface. As a result the holistic truth of the golden age of TV broadcasting remains incomplete.

It has been suggested that those one-time Established TV Staff, plus writers and scriptwriters of course, may appreciate an opportunity to redress the balance by telling some of their own unique stories of what it was like to work for the BBC, particularly within the well-equipped studios of the iconic TVC building, when it was at the peak of its fame for making supremely well-crafted programmes.

In the light of recent media muckraking, this is absolutely NOT an invitation for expose or scandal. On the contrary it is hoped to restore perhaps a little dignity, pride, good character and humour to the reputation of Auntie Beeb, to whom so many of us owe a lifetime debt of exceptional training leading to remarkable, colourful careers.

ALL crew members are welcome to contribute their memories of working at/from TVC during the peak production years between 1960 and 1995. These may be short single stories, a simple string of impressions or a description of any of the vital processes involved, however small or humble, These offerings will then be collected, sorted and edited into an anthology for publication. A website has been created. for all interested parties to upload their tales. Please CLICK on the link below then follow the instructions in the second section.

http://www.tvctales.com/index.html

Title: Re: TVC nostalgia and stories
Post by John on Apr 15^th, 2013, 6:15am

Maggie, you mention 'crew members' but there were a lot of other staff from engineering, house services etc. who might have interesting experiences to share for your book.

Good luck with the project.
John

Title: Re: TVC nostalgia and stories
Post by Roundabout on Apr 15^th, 2013, 8:05am

Well done Maggie. The official 'Goodbye to Pebble Mill' broadcast in the Midlands was even worse than the TVC one and as a result a similar project to yours has been extraordinarily successful over the past few years in telling the true story of Pebble Mill at pebblemill.org so good luck with the TVC project!

Title: Re: TVC NOSTALGIA and STORIES
Post by Maggie on Apr 16^th, 2013, 12:07pm

Apologies, I meant "crew" members in the Broadest sense of the word (as in contributions from ALL those involved in making programmes). This can also include those who serviced the Building keeping it ticking over efficiently, so catering, cleaning etc. Simple, mundane stories often provide the most fascinating insight, as we well know from some of the current televised Historical Documentaries. Hand written accounts are also acceptable however brief and can be sent to:
Les McCallum 144 Woodland Gardens, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 6LR

Title: Re: TVC nostalgia and stories
Post by Maggie on Apr 16^th, 2013, 12:10pm

Maggie wrote on Apr 14^th, 2013, 5:18pm:

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Re: TVC NOSTALGIA and STORIES

Reply #3 - Today at 12:06pm Apologies, I meant "crew" members in the Broadest sense of the word (as in contributions from ALL those involved in making programmes). This can also include those who serviced the Building keeping it ticking over efficiently, so catering, cleaning etc. Simple, mundane stories often provide the most fascinating insight, as we well know from some of the current televised Historical Documentaries. Hand written accounts are also acceptable however brief and can be sent to:
Les McCallum 144 Woodland Gardens, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 6LR
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Title: Re: TVC nostalgia and stories
Post by Bill Jenkin on Apr 24^th, 2013, 4:43pm

This is good news Maggie. I think it is shocking that they always go for the 'celeb' option. They originally wanted input from ex 'crew' staff for that "Goodbye TVC" programme and as it happens I was organising a farewell visit to TC by about 140 ex camera, sound, lighting people and vision mixers on 12th March. I offered them the opportunity to vox pops them but I was told "oh, the emphasis of the programme has now changed and it will be more about the stars memories of the place" - what a surprise!
I also know that there was a lot more input from non "stars" in the programme which went out last year "Tales of Television Centre" but most of that was left on the cutting room floor.
I will post the link to your website on the "memories of television centre" facebook group page.

Title: Re: TVC nostalgia and stories
Post by Bill Jenkin on Apr 26^th, 2013, 1:01pm

Just a note of caution if you do decide to post your stories - read the terms and conditions.

Quote:

"Copyright waiver

Submitting your story confirms that you have agreed to waive, irrevocably, any wishes you may have to be identified as the author of ”the story”. These rights are known as ‘moral rights” which you may have under the copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under all similar legislation in force anywhere in the world, and which are amended from time to time, shall be relinquished when you agree to provide a contribution by way of relevant story or anecdote [‘the story”]

Whilst promising to retain the integrity and character of the original “story” wherever possible, we reserve the right to edit, as and when necessary,for the sake of the compendium as a whole.This particular compilation, intended for publication, will be garnered predominantly from all those established BBC creative staff who worked at TVC during the period from 29th June 1960 through to the last major Drama to be recorded in-house in 1995"