November 2010 – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

‘Kinsey’ Series 2- photos from Willoughby Gullachsen

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

‘Kinsey’ was a drama which ran for 2 series about a maverick Midlands’ lawyer: Kinsey, played by Leigh Lawson. Peter Gibbs wrote the script, Richard Standeven was the director and Carol Parks the producer. Barry Hanson was the executive producer. ‘Kinsey’ was produced at Pebble Mill in 1991 and 1992.

The first photo features Kinsey, played by Leigh Lawson, with Minnie Driver. This still was taken during filming of the last episode: ‘Conflicts of Interest’, which went out on 8/12/92.

The second photo shows the crew recording a tracking shot. (Left to right) John Kenway (camera), Rob Southam (focus Puller), Kevin Williams, Herbie Donnelly (sparks), Monica Heath (1st AD), at the corner of the building Richard Standeven (director), Mike Hobson, & Andrew Smith.

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21st Anniversary of Pebble Mill

Juliet Dean of the Film Unit had kept this brochure and photos – thanks to her.

The 21st anniversary of Pebble Mill was held in 1992.

The first photo features (left to right) Jerry Johns (Press Office), David Waine (Head of Building), Lord Mayor of Birmingham and wife, Rod Natkiel (Head of Network Programmes).

The second photo features the Lord Mayor of Birmingham with a lady who’d baked a cake of the Pebble Mill building to commemorate the 21st anniversary.

A brochure was printed to celebrate the anniversary, the rest of the photos are of the brochure.

Jerry Johns, David Waine, Lord Mayor & wife, Rod Natkiel

‘Kickstart’ – photos from Maggie Humphries & John Burkill

Photos from Maggie Humphries & John Burkill, no reproduction without permission.

‘Kickstart’ and ‘Junior Kickstart’ were outside broadcast series produced at Pebble Mill in the 1980s. The different series staged motorcycle trials for seniors and juniors. John Smith (who had worked on Pebble Mill at One, organising some of the most spectacular events like the Red Arrows) produced many of the series. Peter Purves, ex Blue Peter presenter, was the presenter on ‘Kickstart’, with expert advice voiced by Mick Andrews.

The black and white photos show cameraman Jim Gray, recording ‘Junior Kickstart’, with the colour photo from John Burkill dating from 1983.

Jim Gray recording 'Junior Kickstart'

Kinsey – TX Card

Kinsey TX Card

TX Card for the drama ‘Kinsey’, courtesy of Maggie Humphries.

There were two, six part series of ‘Kinsey’. Which went out in 1991 and 1992. The drama followed the story of a maverick Midlands’ solicitor.

The drama was written by Peter Gibbs, produced by Carol Parks, Exec Producer by Barry Hanson, and directed by Phil O’Shea and Philip Draycott. It starred Leigh Lawson in the title role.

Kinsey TX Card

Film Unit – photos from Maggie Humphries & Juliet Dean

Photos from Maggie Humphries & Juliet Dean.

These photos include stills of the Film Unit Office, featuring Bill Bohanna (Manager Film), Maggie Humphries & Diane Welch, Juliet Dean.

Photos of the crews include:

– Cameraman Mike Willie, and assistant Keith Froggatt and others, by the pond

– Keith Froggatt on the camera crane

– Cameramen Nigel Davey and Keith Froggatt

– John Couzens doing a tracking shot from a wheelchair

– John Parker and Roger Waldron recording 3 Minute Heroes

– Cameraman Eric Wise (below the cross)

– John Couzens, Eric Wise, Andy Payne and Tim Green, filming by a road

The Film Unit was a busy office on the 1st floor at the back of Pebble Mill. All the allocation of film camera crews was done from the Office, as well as the ordering of specialist film equipment. The Film Unit also organised the film editors, allocating editors to programmes, including news, dramas and documentaries. Most filmed programmes were shot on 16mm film. Shooting and editing on film were replaced in the late 1980s and 1990s by single camera video recording on beta and then digibeta, and the editing equipment changed from steenbecks to Avid.

Maggie Humphries & Diane Welch