Introduction
The History Project interview recordings were the first major oral history project of its kind; to record the working lives of professionals who had contributed to the growth and success of Britain’s film, theatre, television and radio industries. With approximately 700 interviews recorded to date and drawn from the experiences of such a diverse group of creative and technical talents, it has become an exceptional and highly-respected national resource.
Unlike any other archive available in the UK, the History Project consists of interviews with professionals across all roles, all trades, and all sectors. Moreover, this uniquely valuable collection of the voices of practitioners across a wide range of craft and skills, includes the voices of many who cannot be heard anywhere else.
Production
The earliest interview recordings were on audio cassettes until 2000. Thereafter, some recordings were made on semi-professional Mini DV Cam and professional Mini-Disc recorder (presented by Sony). From 2003 onwards almost all recordings have been made on video with developments in media technology being reflected in the wide range of formats of our recordings. However, where possible, all recordings are, by default, on HD video.
Anyone can nominate a potential interviewee (including professionals who wish to nominate themselves) by contacting Sue Malden, the Hon,Secretary.
The Interview Recordings
The recordings are stored in the BFI with a back up copy at BECTU’s Head Office. The BFI arranges access to the recordings, and transcripts where these exist, for research purposes. We answer history related enquiries from television and radio programmes and for films, books, academic research, exhibitions and festivals. We have also worked with the University of East Anglia, BAFTA, the David Lean Centre, BUFVC and the Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema at Exeter University. Recently we have begun to work with the Stanley Kubrick archive at the University of the Arts, London. Interviews are currently being re-indexed and compiled into the new database. Please note that the database includes interview records that have not yet been updated. (As each numbered interview is updated, the interview number is replaced by the interviewee’s name). You can explore our interviews in our Collection Gallery.
Accessing the Collection
The Collection is available online, here on our site. Master tapes are deposited with the National Film and Television Archive. Security copies are stored at BECTU Head Office, 373-377 Clapham Road, London, SW9 9BT, United Kingdom.
Interview access copies are available at the BFI National Library, subject to users submitting a request form, (which is generally approved, though the History Project reserves the right to decline access). Please contact the secretary, Sue Malden.
Access to our interview collection is free, as we provide it as a public service. Simply register your details with us. (Anyone can register – you do not have to be an industry professional, a union member or have any specific background). You will then be able to gain full access to this site and to our Interview Collection.
A National Legacy
Maintaining this collection – regarded as the largest oral history archive of its kind on the working heritage of Britain’s multi-industry media sector – is a formidable challenge as the Collection comprises of a mixture of audio recording and video recordings across various formats, reflecting the developments in technology and recording formats over the last thirty years.
Thanks to our working relationships with our Partners, some, but sadly, all too few of our interview recordings have had the benefit of being digitised and transcribed (both costly in terms of time and financial expense). Some recordings have been transcribed by the British Cinema History Project at the University of East Anglia and excerpts from other participants may be found on the BFI’s Screenonline website; and the BUFVC Newsreel project.
We continue to work diligently to ensure that these priceless interviews are properly archived as part of our cultural legacy and made available to share, for the benefit of all, including students, researchers, filmmakers and the general public. Work is being undertaken to ensure that the recordings, past, present and future, are maintained in appropriate digital archive formats for future preservation. To this end, this website is merely the publicly visible part of a larger ongoing project; to create a fully searchable, interactive online digital archive of our entire interview collection, so that it can continue to be maintained and developed for the benefit of current and future generations.
We are determined to ensure that the stories, insights and experiences of this part of our cultural and economic history is available to be shared. Therefore, digitising, transcribing and fully indexing our interviews are ongoing projects that remain amongst our key priorities in the continued development of our archives.
Get Involved
The History Project is entirely reliant on its volunteers to help nominate interviewees, conduct research, produce interviews, transcribing, indexing, and managing the digital archive. Offers of help are always welcome and further information on how to become involved in the History Project is available in our Membership section.
Further information
If you have any queries or would like to find out more, please contact Sue Malden, the Hon,Secretary.