TeleTales #67…The Art Of Shooting Live Drama
TeleTales #67…The Art Of Shooting Live Drama
Before videotape, there were only kinescopes, so shows had to be done live. Just take a moment and study the photo below from Television City…that’s tight in every way. The floor camera is shooting the actor on top (Edmond O’Brien), the crane is shooting the other, the boom is there for sound and there’s even a hand held face light.
This takes choreography…a well laid plan and skilled crew. John Frankenheimer was one of the best ever live directors and did many of these shows. If you never have, take a look at “The Comedian” at the link below. Frankenheimer directed this “Playhouse 90” presentation that takes places behind the scenes at Television City…TK11s are everywhere. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee
Before videotape there was FILM. Shows did NOT have to be done live, and many of them were done on film. To many people at the time, live shows were the cheap shows. If it was worth doing, it was worth doing on film. Go back and read the articles that were written at the time. And as videotape and machines became available, almost ALL programs that had been done live switched over to tape. Even Playhouse 90, Studio One, and all the beloved live shows switched to tape inserts and then to tape as soon as they could.
Arthur Godfrey strangling Julius La Rosa?
All turret cameras…25/40/75/150 I think
Love the ole focus crank!
Oh what memories…
Thanks Don
Notice that the crane camera at left is shielding his viewfinder from the lights.
Mickey Rooney and Mel Torme’s acting is superb, and Rod Serling’s script is devastating….
I almost thought that was Jackie Gleason.
I love that live TV is making something of a comeback! I hope it lasts!