Michael Colomb
Interview date(s): 12 June 1995
Interviewer(s): Alan Lawson
Production Media: audio
Duration (mins): 165
behp0358-michael-colomb-summary
NOTE: This interview is rather technical as Colomb is a technician who has always been involved with the technical side of sound recording. However, the interview is full of anecdotes which are well worth following through.
SIDE ONE
Born 1928 in the same house as now; local school, then UCS Hampstead. During the war got to know Gordon McCallum who later was able to introduce him to Denham Studios where he got a job as an assistant in the sound department. He talks about those days and then his move to the BBC Television Film Department. He then got involved in the design and manufacture of a lightweight blimp but to do so had to leave the BBC.
SIDE TWO
Talks about Independent Frame and the making of Sound Effects. He talks about his travels when working with Dick Cawston on a programme on Global Television. He talks about equipment maintenance whilst on location. He goes on to talk about various sound systems used by the BBC, and about the fibre glass blimp he and his ex-BBC colleague Neville Bruce [designed?]. They were working from Radlett in a farm building. He also worked outside as a sound recordist with their new blimp, working with Denis Mitchell. He has an interesting tale to tell when his new company, Better Sound, took over part of the bonded film store in Endell Street.
SIDE THREE
Talking about taking over the lease of Endell Street and later buying the freehold. He then goes on to talk about the changing role the company played due to the fast changes of practices in the industry. He talks about the difficulty of set-up training programmes faced by small companies. The firm changed over to provision of hardware, and not without providing crewing and equipment hire [?] He talks about the use of radio mics.
SIDE FOUR
This side deals mainly with recollections.
END
Born 1928 in the same house as now; local school, then UCS Hampstead. During the war got to know Gordon McCallum who later was able to introduce him to Denham Studios where he got a job as an assistant in the sound department. move to the BBC Television Film Department. He then got involved in the design and manufacture of a lightweight blimp but to do so had to leave the BBC.
his travels when working with Dick Cawston on a programme on Global Television. He talks about equipment maintenance whilst on location, sound systems used by the BBC, and about the fibre glass blimp he and his ex-BBC colleague Neville Bruce [designed?]. They were working from Radlett in a farm building. He also worked outside as a sound recordist with their new blimp, working with Denis Mitchell. He has an interesting tale to tell when his new company, . He then goes on to talk about the changing role the company played due to the fast changes of practices in the industry. He talks about the difficulty of set-up training programmes faced by small companies. The firm changed over to provision of hardware, and not without providing crewing and equipment hire [?] He talks about the use of radio mics.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by interview participants are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of the History Project or any of its volunteers, employees or representatives. (See details). Please also see our Takedown Policy.