1985 was an interesting year in the life of corporate video, we got a new camera a Sony DXC-M3P.
The Sony DXC-M3P is a professional analog video camera that was released in the 1980s. It features a 3-tube imaging system, which provides high-quality color reproduction and low-light sensitivity. The camera is designed for studio and field production work and is compatible with a wide range of lenses and accessories.
The DXC-M3P has a number of advanced features, including a built-in electronic shutter, adjustable gain control, and a color temperature adjustment function. It also has a high-resolution black and white viewfinder, which provides accurate monitoring of the image being captured.
Overall, the Sony DXC-M3P was a popular camera among professional videographers.
We worked for a couple of weeks on a video for Glasgow District Council called “Rates have been Abolished” and shows what happens if you no longer pay your council rates. The main presenter was a well known Scottish comedian of his day, Andy Cameron.
Andy Cameron who was born in 1946 and is best known for his work as a stand-up comedian, actor, and television presenter. He is particularly famous in Scotland for his “Billy Connolly-style” observational comedy and for his work on Scottish television.
Cameron started his career as a professional footballer, playing for various teams in Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s. He then turned to comedy and began performing on the Scottish club circuit, before gaining national recognition with appearances on television shows such as “The Max Boyce Show” and “The Comedians”.
Cameron’s comedy often focuses on his experiences growing up in Scotland and the quirks of Scottish culture. He has released several comedy albums and also appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including the Scottish comedy series “City Lights” and the BBC sitcom “Still Game”.
Jump 38 years to 2023, here is Chris the director now retired with my very own DXC-M3 camera. Chris learned his skills from the BBC moving to Scottish Television (STV) as a senior cameraman. Chris and his wife Jan started their own video production company called Flashback video during September 1980.
Some of the services offered by Flashback Video include video production, live productions, event filming, and post-production. The company has experience in producing a wide variety of video content, including promotional videos, training videos, event videos, and music videos.
The voice over artist Peter Lincoln was a good friend of Chris who met him during an episode of Take the High Road once again a well known Scottish actor in the 1980s who had a voice of honey.
Amazingly I kept a VHS copy from the master tape a Sony Lo-Band U-Matic, remember the videos were also 4/3 to match the televisions of the day. Its a lovely in-site to the 1980s and what you could film in those days like children playing football and in a local park that you can’t do today without lots of paperwork and special permission.
Incredible flashback video today. I love the roundabout shot with the kid at the end :0)
HDW:That was one of Chris Attkins bright ideas.
Great stuff! I was working with similar equipment then and did at least one job with Chris, filming a wedding using his mini OB set up.
Still operating studio cameras at Beeb in Glasgow and still have my first camera which I bought second hand when I went freelance. An Ampex camera front end docked to a Sony BVV 5 recorder. Happy days and much missed! Thanks Philip, hope you and Chris are well.
HDW: They were great days, both keeping well thanks Stan.
Remember that camera – personally owned a Hitachi Z31A which I sent to a museum last year and was in mint condition. The best camera I had from that era was a Sony DXC3000 followed years later by a M7. Currently use a broadcaster’s PXW-X400KC and thank goodness it’s a lot lighter than lugging a camera and separate portable recorder around (plus all the batteries).