In the news...

[Heathbury The First]

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2010/08/19/shropshire-councillor-i-was-an-extra-on-crossroads/

i have his contact details now... will pass on

[Heathbury The First]

My dad told me this bit over the phone... not shown online...

Running order for filming of Crossroads episodes 191 to 200 during outside broadcast at Baschurch, Shrewsbury, July 1965.

Tuesday, July 13: lunch 12:30pm  to1:30pm
VTR (filming) 1.30pm to 6pm
supper 6pm to 7pm

Wednesday, July 14: breakfast 8am to 9am
VTR 9.30am to 12.30pm
lunch 12.30pm to 1.30pm
VTR 1.30pm to 6pm

Code index for locations:
A: Field adjoining motel, B: Outside Walford Farm, G: Patio outside motel, I: Village school Baschurch, J: Countrylane, O: River bank

[Mike of CAS]

I think th ere are some political games going into play with the comments at the base. I think a few positive thank yous are in order. I've tried to post one but as yet it aint shown up.

I wonder if its the same riverbank that I have a photo of Stan and Wilf doing something at. I'll have to look.

[Mike of CAS]

Episodes 191 - 195 were directed by... ALAN COLEMAN.

However as we know from end credits the inserts may be done by someone else. Tim Jones (thats Rossington's first hubby isn't it?) directed episodes 196 - 200.

[Maria No. 1.]

Yes Mike, Tim Jones, Director was Jane's first husband.

[River Slotter]

Interesting that the inserts were on VTR back in 1965.  As this will pre-date lightweight EFP cameras by some years this must have been done as a full OB with a scanner.

[Mike of CAS]

ATV were very proud of their 'pioneering OB Units' created in association with PYE CBS and a French broadcaster from what documents remain. They have loads of photos of them.

[River Slotter]

It also meant they could use the studio cameramen to operate the OB cameras as in those days the unions would not allow studio cameramen to operate film cameras (it was a different union) and vice versa

[Mike of CAS]

Interesting. I have a notice also from the ITA that states they are "very concerned" by ABC and ATV in the Midlands by showing a lack of "commitment" to the region by the fact Alpha Television Studios is not a "proper studio". Its noted they just parked OB Trucks at the back of the theatre and used them.

I'm not sure when this was changed but the note is the late 1950s.

[Mike of CAS]

I've had a look at the writing on the sides, some interesting the white van is an:

"ATV International Outside Broadcast Unit" and the cartoon one is a "ATV (Mobile Recording) Limited" the rest are "Associated Television Limited, outside broadcast unit".

----

On November 26th 1959 outside the French Embassy in London the "first international mobile television recording (VT) unit" was launched by the Director of the ITA. The UK vans - ATV operated - cost £100,000 - and are 525 line equipt. These are the first self contained taping facility on the American standard of definition. The OB Trucks have been co-produced with CBS in America, Radiodiffusion in France and the research department of PYE TV. The unit, the most comprehensive in the world was developed by ATV Engineers headed by Mr T.C, Macnamara.

[Heathbury The First]

I think th ere are some political games going into play with the comments at the base. I think a few positive thank yous are in order. I've tried to post one but as yet it aint shown up.

I wonder if its the same riverbank that I have a photo of Stan and Wilf doing something at. I'll have to look.

Political games?

[Mike of CAS]

He's a councillor so they're all going "boring" (which they didn't do with the original story) honestly leave the politics out of it.

[Heathbury The First]

well all i can say is itsgreat to have a confirmed 1965 connection

[Mike of CAS]

Well I dunno if its appeared but I did leave a comment thanking the paper. The people who posted 'is this news' well most pages of the newspapers these days are more features than news regionally.

So yes, its news.

[Heathbury The First]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/194686/TV-s-Crossroads-The-last-secret

It appears to have made the online version of the Sunday Express... which is interesting as I didn't speak to the Express - although they have their own photo!

Edit... made the print version too!

Shame its not exactly what I said!