August 2016 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Editing using a Steenbeck: Edge Numbers and Rubber Numbers

The video features Dawn Mears (now Trotman) – BBC Pebble Mill film assistant editor (now freelance Avid editor), demonstrating how edge numbers and rubber numbers were used in film editing.

This video is part of Royal Holloway, University of London’s, Adapt Project, led by Prof. John Ellis, which documents now defunct analogue television production processes. It was filmed at the London Film School, then in Soho, who had the best working examples of a Steenbeck and Pic-Sync we could find.

Dawn Meers demos edge numbers and rubber numbers

Dawn Mears demos edge numbers and rubber numbers

The following comment was left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Mark Heslop: ‘It’s a good job we sent it out to Bob for numbering or there would be a generation of assistant editors with no fingertips, bloody dangerous machine’

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BBC Birmingham Pen

Photo by Suzie Curtlin, no reproduction without permission

Thanks to Suzie Curtlin for sharing this photo of the BBC Birmingham pen which was given to all staff moving from Pebble Mill to the Mailbox, when the Pebble Mill building was closed, prior to being demolished in 2005.

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Colin Pierpoint blog, part 13 – Pebble Mill at One pilot

CMCR9, photo from John Abbott, no reproduction without permission

CMCR9 (on Gardeners’ World), photo from John Abbott, no reproduction without permission

[Here is the thirteenth part of Colin Pierpoint’s blog about his BBC career]

I think the Pebble Mill at One programme needs no explanation to our readers, but I was asked by the Deputy Manager Comms and Engineering Services, John Stark, to be the communications co-ordinator for the pilot programme, which was to try out the system. The mixing point or gallery was the Birmingham scanner CMCR6 or 9. This was parked in the garage area where there was a wallbox with tielines to the Communications Centre. I was rushing round from here to VT and Comms Centre trying to get circuits established. I don’t think everyone in Operations knew that I had actually been allocated to do this, perhaps I should have explained to those I came into contact with. The reason for using the scanner was that Studio A at Pebble Mill must have been in use. On other days the scanner was at Gosta Green to give colour facilities on a drive in basis. (Gosta Green studio was never converted to colour, and was eventually sold as a black and white studio).

Colin Pierpoint

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Midlands Today Reunion – Midlands Yesterday

1977 regional news presenters Guy Thomas, Kay Alexander,Peter Windows, David Stevens B.Row Michael Hancock,Tom Coyne

A reminder of Midlands Today Reunion – MIDLANDS YESTERDAY.

The reunion is for anyone who worked on Midlands Today, as Presenters, Journalists, Production, Engineers, Cameras, Sound, VT, Film, Lights, etc.

The date, time and venue: Saturday, 3rd September 2016, 1pm – 6pm, Deloitte room at the Midlands Arts Centre.

Everyone who worked on the programme is invited.

Buffet tickets will cost £10 which covers finger food and room hire.

If you would like a ticket please email Roy Saatchi: roy.saatchi@iwishicouldmakethiswork.com and he will let you know how to get a ticket and pay for it.

Any more details email Maureen Carter (maureencarter@gmail.com) or Cathy Houghton (cathy@houghton.net).

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CMCR9 on show at Shrewsbury Steam Rally

Photo by Steve Harris, no reproduction without permission

The veteran TV OB scanner North3 / CMCR9 will be on show next weekend at the Shrewsbury Steam Rally, Onslow Park, Shrewsbury. Details may be found on their website :-

http://www.shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk/

Please note that the show is not open on Saturday, but only on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. The Shrewsbury Rally is easy to find and a great day out, with something to entertain all the family, young or old!

Eric’s generator will be powering us and it is hoped to have either the EMI 2001 and/or a PC80 camera working into the scanner. Fingers crossed for some good weather!

Jerry Clegg