Keith Schofield – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Battle of Waterloo – Toby Horwood

Copyright resides with the original holder no reproduction without permission

Here’s a shot of Keith Schofield (Operating the camera) and myself on the Live Drama ‘Battle of Waterloo’.

The soldier on the floor is Warren Clarke. I worked with Keith on quite a few period dramas and learnt a lot from him. I’m pushing an Elemac dolly with an Egripment arm on it for the boffins amongst you. The Camera is an Ikegami HL 79D. The ear defenders were necessary because black powder charges were fired off from muskets during the course of the play. We had a very complex series of moves to execute and a vast number of shot cards. For the camera crew it was a fantastic challenge. We had rehearsed for at least a couple of days prior to going live.

(The Battle of Waterloo was a live drama, written by Keith Dewhurst and produced by Robin Midgley, in 1983)

The Car’s The Star

Image copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without pemission.

The Car’s The Star was a series about classic cars, presented by Quentin Willson. It began in 1994. Quentin would tell the story of a particular car, which was interspersed with interviews from its various owners. Jon Bentley was the series producer, with Dennis Adams as executive producer. David Lowe wrote the theme music. Brian Watkiss and Peter Shannon were editors on the early episodes, Gary Vollans did the graphics, and the cameramen included Keith Schofield, John Couzens, Nigel Davey, and Keith Froggatt.

The following comment was added on the Pebble Mill Facebook group:

Andrew Chorlton: ‘I recorded at least two episodes, Citroen DS and Land Rover, messrs Couzens and Foster on camera respectively. Highlights? Taking a DS down the runway at RAF Wroughton with one wheel removed and checking into a hotel down south with John Wilcox who’s room had been booked in the name of Sir John Wilcox.’

Children in Need – Pirate Ship

Photos by Sue Robinson, no reproduction without permission.

The photos are from the pirate themed ‘Children in Need’ evening from Studio A. Included are James French, with the pirate hat and hand held camera; Adrian Kelly swinging the crane; and Dave Wilkins squaring up to Keith Schofield! Lynda Kettle was the pirate set designer.

Golden Oldie Picture Show – He Ain’t Heavy

Photos by Gail Herbert, no reproduction without permission.

The Golden Oldie Picture Show ran from 1985-88 and was presented by Radio 1 DJ, Dave Lee Travis. The show consisted of specially shot music videos, created for popular hits recorded before music videos were routinely made. Individual directors suggested the tracks they’d like to create videos for, so there were a myriad of styles of both videos and music, linked by DLT.

These photos are from a shoot which cameraman John Williams directed for the hit ‘He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother’. It was shot at a centre for young people with disabilities which John had a connection with. The resulting film was poignant and uplifting. There are several versions of the ballad, including recordings by The Hollies and Neil Diamond. I’m not sure which version was used for the film.

The photos show John Williams (white shirt, pale blue trousers), grips Jimmy Monk (bent over by Variety Club van) and Keith Schofield (crouched by van).

Thanks to Gail Herbert for sharing the photos.

John Williams, Jimmy Monk, Keith Schofield

Pity in History – photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

Pity in History was part of the 1985 ‘Summer Season’ of dramas, it went out on 4th July. It was produced at Pebble Mill by Chris Parr, the executive producer was Robin Midgley and Sarah Pia Anderson the director. The play was performed in Studio A.

The play by Howard Barker starred Norman Rodway, Anna Massey, Alan Rickman, Patrick Malahide and Ian McDiarmid.

Set in the Civil War, the story is about a sculptor working to finish a memorial to the Royalist years, as Cromwell’s men break down the surrounding cathedral walls.

The first photo has Alec Robson (TM1) on the left, setting lights and a back view of Keith Schofield with camera; the photo of the rehearsal featuring the crew includes: camera supervisor Dave Doogood, P.A. Bobbie Chapman, Dawn Robertson, cameraman Keith Schofield (crouched), Kevin Heffernan (design), Chris Parr (prod on left), George Allen (TM2) is in the centre with the dark sweater, on his right is cameraman Doug Smith.

John Greening comments: “Gareth Williams is b/g in white trousers. I was AFM and the rehearsals were at Five Ways in an empty office block. Actor in f/g is Roger Frost, husband of Pam Ferris. Howard Barker wrote the play as a vehicle for Ian McDiarmid – he was at the RSC at the time and I had to play his part during rehearsals when there was a matinee..”

Thanks to Dave Bushell, David Short and John Greening for adding to the information.

Pity in History rehearsalSave