John Williams – memoirs and memories

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Memories from cameraman John Williams:

“50 years ago this month the first spade was put in ground that had been well prepared by a pioneering set of BBC Birmingham programme makers already established in producing quality programmes. It feels like yesterday. I’m not at all surprised this BBC network production centre, Pebble Mill Building, is now reaching iconic status and a commemorative plaque is to be displayed on the “Circle Healths” new building at the Pebble Mill old site. A look at the history of its output across the whole range of broadcasting, radio and Television some still generating around the world today, is proof worthy of that status. It’s a building that should be remembered!

For those of us who had the privilege to work there it was a lifetime of opportunity placing Britain’s second city, together with the Midlands, on the world map, at no time were they let down. I like to think we were a family with all that entails, and that family still shows itself, meeting every month as pensioners support one another and reminisce on the good old days. My one hope is the BBC has not lost this family and is still there amongst my colleagues working in the brave new world.

At Christmas I ran out of my self published memoirs “Shoot First, No ordinary life,” (it’s gone down really well, over 240 sold at cost price of £14), the story of my 30 year career at Pebble Mill. Those reading my book have said it’s a history and they had no idea of the diversity of that building, I was just the fortunate one who touched on many of its areas. People asked me to print more, these have now arrived. Anybody interested who would like a copy please e mail me: john@willbriar.myzen.co.uk.”

John Williams, cameraman

John’s book: Shoot First

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All Memories Great and Small – part 5 John Williams

John Williams, cameraman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt from “All Memories Great & Small” by Oliver Crocker

Memories from John Williams (Film Cameraman):

‘For the lambing scenes, Wardrobe came up with the wonderful idea of mobile hand warmers, bags of something or other that stayed warm for long periods. Wardrobe never let the cast down, hence Peter Davison’s scarf wrapped around his head in the opening scenes. Christopher Barry was a good director who knew and understood the scripts, so he would work out the structure of what we had to get in the can and we had a relationship where he trusted me to get on with it. We couldn’t expect the animals to perform as directed, so I had to be aware of what specific shots were needed and just get them. Robert Hardy was very good, he had his work cut out working with these live wild animals, which could be difficult as they weren’t very predictable, so he didn’t have an easy time.’

60 cast and crew have shared their memories for this new book, which is available to preorder now from Miwk – http://bit.ly/2d7p5ts

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Copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

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John Williams has also published his own memoirs, Shoot First, No Ordinary Life, which is A4, 216 pages full colour, 96,500 words; it is being sold at cost £14, plus postage or can be collected.If you would like a copy please contact John on john@willbriar.myzen.co

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Shoot First – no ordinary life – John Williams

copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

copyright resides with the original holder, no reproduction without permission

The news is out ! My memoirs “Shoot first No Ordinary Life” is at the printers. I’ve looked at publishing, all want lots of money with little return so I’m having copies printed for family, friends and those interested. Its tells of a 30year career making programs for the BBC and although not a definitive history it is a recollection of the “golden age” of Television production that was Pebble Mill Birmingham

Professor Paul Long  Director,   Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research. Writes

While we’re overloaded by celebrity tales, we need more of this kind of autobiography from those who created programmes and of course created the BBC’s reputation as the country’s foremost cultural institution. Williams insights into the nature of regional and national production, the personalities and roles, the (literal) nuts, bolts and decision making of making TV in the post-war era adds an invaluable resources for the understanding the social history of modern Britain which, if anything is bound up in the story of TV and the stories it has told.

David Waine   (Head of the Network Production Centre 1983-86; Head of Broadcasting 1986-94).Writes

What has emerged is something more than that. It is a small piece of history written with the     passion and involvement that only someone so committed can do.

 

 Others have said “The book is a rollicking good read”, “boys adventure  stories ( adult boys )”. “the book is illustrated on every page ; a coffee table book ,one to share with family at Christmas”.

 

For those of us from Pebble Mill this is an adventure story with a difference because many of you will know of these adventures and some of you will surely  be familiar with the characters  involved . There are, so many memories!

The Book is A4, 216 pages full colour , 96,500 words and I’m selling them first come first served at cost £14 plus postage  or can be collected.

anybody who would like a copy please  contact me on

john@willbriar.myzen.co

0152766897

Mob  07742671586

John Williams

 

 

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